1. Global History I: Adamiak
Ancient Mesopotamia
Global History I: Adamiak

2. Geography Mesopotamia  “The Land Between Two Rivers”
Which two rivers?
 Tigris and the Euphrates
Part of a larger area known as the Fertile Crescent

3. Geography
Flooding
Tigris and Euphrates commonly flooded and wiped away settlements
The two rivers were unpredictable in their flooding
People banded together to build canals and dikes
Moved settlements to uphill areas

4. Document
Enhanced state power and new military and religious claims resulted in part from invasions, which generated…new defense needs, and new resources for war chiefs. The Mesopotamian kings were military leaders. The flat but fertile land, with no natural protective barriers, opened Mesopotamia to nomadic invaders whose recurrent [frequent] incursions [attacks] made it imperative for the rise of military men as state leaders to defend the land. As wars, defense, and conquests won them power, recognition, and gratitude, their positions became hereditary.
Source: Experiencing World History. Paul V. Adams et. al
How did one rise to king in Mesopotamia?
What perks did kings receive for their efforts?

5. Geography Lack of natural barriers
Mesopotamia is not enclosed by mountains or jungles
Easy access for invaders and conquerors
Mesopotamia becomes the crossroads of the ancient world
Conquerors and conquered mingle and shared ideas and customs
Cultural Diffusion  the spreading of new ideas or products from one culture to another

7. Government Sumer: First Major Mesopotamian Civilization
Sumer was not a centralized empire, but a collection of wide spread city-states
Uruk, Ur, Lagash, Nippur, Akkad, Eridu
United under Sargon the Great
City-states still warred over water and food supplies

8. Government Sargon the Great The Legend
His mother placed him in a reed basket and sent him down the Euphrates (Sound familiar?)
A farmer found him and raised him
Becomes kings cupbearer (most trusted servant)
Overthrows the king and unites Sumerian city-states
Establishes the Akkadian Empire (c BCE – 2100 BCE

9. Government The Babylonians (C. 1800 BCE - 1500 BCE)
The Babylonians were the next major empire to control Mesopotamia
Babylon was the economic center of Mesopotamia
Achievements
Gate of Ishtar
Number system based on 60 (hours/minutes/seconds)
Figured out the solar year of 365 ¼ days

10. Gate of Ishtar

11. Ziggurat of Marduk
Why does the size of the ziggurat suggest about the role of religion in Sumer?

12. Religion
In Mesopotamia, religion and politics were intertwined; no separation
Kings were also the chief priest & considered semi-divine
Center of activity revolved around the ziggurat
Ziggurat  step-like pyramids; part of Sumerian temple
Education, trade, religious ceremonies, the mandating of laws
While the various city-states of Sumer had shared deities, each city-state worshipped a unique god

13. Why were magnificent ziggurats built?
Document
Hence a key cultural and public-works function of the Mesopotamian state was to organize the design and labor for building magnificent new ziggurats, an act that was supposed to enhance the well-being of the ruler and the people alike. In this way, political power received religious sanction and the state promoted the faith. Religion was a powerful influence, and the state wanted to assure that it operated under its direction and for its benefit.
Source: Experiencing World History. Paul V. Adams et. al
Why were magnificent ziggurats built?
Why did the state [government] want to be intertwined/closely connected to religion?

14. Practice Multiple Choice
What does the prominence of the ziggurat suggest about the Sumerians?
Religion was integral part to the economic, political, and social aspects of daily life
The Sumerians had the most sophisticated architecture in the world
The Sumerians depended on long distance trade as a source of wealth
Rulers were given divine status in the city-state