1. The First Civilizations
Mesopotamia

2. Between two rivers
Mesopotamia began in southern part of present day Iraq.
It is located between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers

3. Silt
After the rivers flooded small parts of soil filled the banks making the soil great for farming (fertile)

4. Irrigation
Bringing water to dry areas

5. City-states Raised their own crops Made their own goods
Had their own government
Gained political and economic control over other areas
King’s palace and other public buildings were in the center of town
City-states were protected by large brick walls or

6. The temple where Gods were worshipped
Ziggurat/polytheism
The belief in
more than one God
The temple where Gods were worshipped
The very top was a holy place

7. How did people in the ancient world communicate?
Scribes were people who did the writing
Cuneiform- a type of ancient writing