1. MESOPOTAMIA
August 3rd, 2018

2. THE BIG IDEA
The earliest civilization arose in Mesopotamia and organized itself into CITY-STATES

3. WHY IT MATTERS NOW – MAKING IT RELEVANT
The development of this civilization reflects a settlement pattern that has occurred REPEATEDLY throughout history.
People settle near fresh bodies of water.
Why?

4. Intro
Where is Mesopotamia?
What attracted settlers to this area?

6. SETTING THE STAGE
Water provides the lifeblood for a community
What does water provide for a community?
What do we use water for today?
Have you ever had your water cut off? (Valdosta)

7. GEOGRAPHY
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flow SE to Persian Gulf – UNPREDICTABLE FLOODING
Waters recede, they leave behind a thick, fertile mud, called SILT
Farmers plant grain – grow wheat
Wheat leads to full stomachs (Diets today)
Villages grow

8. 3300 BC
Sumerians arrive and build
Constructed mud brick walls. Why?
Built temples (Ziggurats) to honor their gods (polytheistic). Why?
Had ENV problems

9. CUNEIFORM
1st version of writing
Symbols and Sounds
Eventually expressed ideas and words
Used to keep track of goods and inventions

11. ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS
Unpredictable flooding
Little or no rain = drought
How would the access/amount of water be determined?
No wood or metal Traded with others
Organized Labor. What does it require? (Today)

12. HAMMURABI’s CODE

13. SUMERIAN ACHIEVEMENTS
What did they invent?

14. ENRICHMENT (Choose One)
Create a museum exhibit about “Life in Sumer”
Examine the life of Hammurabi and write one paragraph on how he influenced society.