1. Civilization in Mesopotamia
By Mr. Fitz

2. New Inventions Irrigation * Canals, aqueducts, reservoirs, dikes,
gates
Wheel – wheeled cart
First sailboats

3. Architecture and Religious Beliefs
Ziggurat – Largest building in Sumerian city (mud brick temple)
Shrine for each city’s special god on top.
Gods of wind, sun, salt water, fresh water, earth.
If pleased gods=good harvest
Natural disasters=gods were angry

4. The Role of Government
Laws are needed to keep order when many people live together.
Government = organized system that groups use to make laws and decisions.
Each city-state had its own leaders
City-states went to war with each other and outsiders
Monarchy=One person has authority
Rulers were thought to have great strength, because were “chosen by the gods.” (Gilgamesh)

5. Changing Economies Sumerian Farms grew a surplus of crops.
Since everyone did not have to farm for food, Sumerians developed Division of Labor=craft workers in stone, clay, cloth, leather, metal.
Managers and Merchants
Traded throughout the Fertile Crescent

6. Divisions in Society Social Classes based on levels of importance
Kings and Priests (most important)
Scribes
Managers, merchants, craft workers
Farmers and Fisherman
Slaves (usually prisoners of war-lowest on the scale)
Men had more authority, although Women did hold leadership positions

7. Innovations New ways of doing things
Need to measure land – “Iku” or Acre
Need to measure crops – “Quart”
Need to carry/trade goods – sail and cargo boats.
Need for records – writing “Cuneiform” – complete system by 2000 BCE on clay tablets with reeds.