1. Mesopotamia

2. 1. Sumer a. Geography i. Located in an area called the Fertile Crescent 1. It is a region that curves between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf 2. This is also a fertile area that is located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers ii. Area is referred to as Mesopotamia

3. b. City i. Considered to be the world’s first civilization ii. In the center of the city was a large temple called a ziggurat 1. A ziggurat is a pyramid like structure

4. iii. Formed city-states over time 1. A city-state is a political unit with its own government 2. Many city-states would form dynasties

5. c. Religion i. Were polytheistic ii. Believed the gods controlled all natural forces iii. Believed that a god protected each city-state iv. Priests held a high status in Sumer

6. d. Writing i. Developed a form of writing called cuneiform ii. Used to keep business accounts, to write works on law and grammar as well as literature iii. “Epic of Gilgamesh” 1. Best know Sumerian work 2. About a legendary king

7. e. Mathematics i. Developed their own math system based on the number 60 ii. Used geometry to build elaborate structures and irrigation systems

8. f. Sciences i. Invented the wheel to make pottery and other vehicles ii. Developed the plow iii. Used bronze to make stronger tools and weapons iv. Built a sewer system v. Catalogued medical knowledge vi. Performed basic surgery vii. Architecture included arches, ramps, and columns

9. g. Social Structure i. Developed out of their trading industry ii. At the top was the king, priests and principal agents iii. Next came large land owners and merchants iv. Below them were farmers, artisans, and laborers v. At the bottom were slaves

10. h. Gender Roles i. Men held political power and made laws ii. Women stayed at home and took care of the home and children

11. 2. Babylonian Empire a. Hammurabi i. 1792 B.C. became the king of Babylon ii. United Mesopotamia and formed the Babylonian Empire

12. iii. Accomplishments 1. Building projects 2. Improved tax collection system 3. Increased trade 4. Established schools a. Taught Sumerian language and cuneiform

13. iv. Allowed priests to have their powerful roles v. Honored old Sumerian gods

14. b. Hammurabi’s code i. Dealt with everything from trade and theft to injury and murder ii. Code was important because it was written down for everyone to see