1. Ancient Mesopotamia Since Mesopotamia was on the fertile crescent, it was ideal for farming – fertile soil and water supply. Most all of the civilizations that developed there were polytheistic, except the Hebrews (Israelites or Jews) who were monotheistic. They also had food surpluses which led to division of labor or job specialization because everyone didn’t have to take all of their time looking for food. They could control water and they invented the first writing system, cuneiform. These civilizations were the first to keep business records. Lastly, they had Hammurabi’s Code which contained 282 laws based on everyday life.

2. Mesopotamia ID’s  Fertile Crescent – a large arc of rich, or fertile farmland between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.  Silt – a mixture of rich soil and tiny rocks…there was a lot of silt in this area because of the flooding of the rivers and that is what made this such good farm land.  Irrigation – a way of supplying water to an area of land. The civilizations here developed the first irrigation systems  Job Specialization – each worker specialized in a particular task or job. During this time was the first time humans could do this because they didn’t have to look so hard for food.

3. Cont’.  Levels of Civilization – Tribe  Village  City-State  Empire  Polytheism – worshipping many gods/goddesses  Monotheism – worship of only one God  Social Hierarchy – division of society by rank or class. Ruler  General  Priest  Scribe  Artisan  Peasant  Cuneiform – the world’s first system of writing  Hammurabi’s Code of Law – a set of 282 laws that dealt with almost every part of daily life.

4. Map of Mesopotamia

5. Achievements of Ancient Mesopotamia  Vast irrigation system  Levees along banks of the rivers  Canals to direct river water into the fields  Dams to stop the flow of water  Reservoirs to store water  First cities  First governments  Specialized jobs  First written language – cuneiform  Basic algebra and geometry  Measure and calculate seasons  60 minute hour, 360 degree circle  Became merchants (trade)  First wheeled wagons and carts  Sailboat  Chariot  Stringed instruments  First Empires  First written code of laws – Hammurabi  Created iron from iron ore  Developed an alphabet  First to use coins and money  First monotheistic religions