1. Chapter 2 Lesson 1
Mesopotamia

2. Geography of the Fertile Crescent
Southwest Asia
Land between rivers (Tigris and Euphrates)
Floods at least once a year, receded waters leave silt.
Grains planted in this region.
Wheat and barley

3. Geography of the Fertile Crescent
Environmental Challenges (Sumerians)
Unpredictable flooding, then little to no rain.
Defenseless
Limited natural resources

4. Solving Problems Through Organization
Solutions
Irrigation ditches carried water from the river to the fields
Built city walls
Traded goods for raw materials
Laws Created
Settle disputes over land and water
Beginning of organized government

5. Sumerians Create City-States
First Civilization
Built cities
Rulers for each city-state (independent country)
Priests and Rulers Share Control
Early government controlled by temple priests
Ziggurat (temple) served as a trading place
Priests managed irrigation and collected crops as taxes

6. Sumerians Create City-States
Priests and Rulers Share Control (con’t)
During war the priests did not lead the city
Commanders gradually gained more control of armies due to growing fighting
Military leaders became full-time rulers creating dynasties.

7. Sumerians Create City-States
The Spread of Cities
Food surplus allowed Sumerians to increase long-distance trade.
Exchanged products, ideas – cultural diffusion

8. Sumerian Culture A Religion of Many Gods Polytheism Offered sacrifices
No afterlife

9. Sumerian Culture
Life in Sumerian Society