7. The Nineveh tablets reveal a civilization 1000 years older than Babylonia...and neolithic life going back to 7000 BCE

9. Two great rivers were fed by the winter rains of Syria and the spring thaws of the snows of the Taurus and Zagros mts : life-giving but unpredictable

10. How was Mesopotamia transformed around 3200 BC?

11. Each city was believed to be the property of an individual god

12. Religion was the central force: Explained the workings of nature Eased the fear of death United people in a common view Bolstered the authority of rulers Justified rules and morality Promoted creativity in art, literature and science

16. U.S. soldiers, 2010

17. Each city was the property of a specific deity. Temple priests interpreted the will of the gods and acted as stewards of a city's deity. The ruler of the city – a priest- king often was visited and instructed by the community's god.

18. How did Mesopotamians define the purpose of man’s existence?

19. Why did a mood of pessimism, uncertainty and anxiety pervade the Sumerian psyche? Frequent floods and droughts Windstorms No natural boundaries to impede invasions The gods were unpredictable

20. About 2350 BCE,King Sargon led the people of Akkad in conquering Sumeria and establishing the world's first empire.

22. Third Dynasty of Ur… Ur-Nammu, 2113-2096 BC

24. The ancient Sumerians were very smart people: Cuneiform Law codes Literature Schools Numbering system Kiln-dried bricks & pottery Lunar calendar Potter’s wheel The wheel The wheelbarrow Sailboats Bronze tools and weapons The plow Frying pans Razors Cosmetic sets Shepherd’s pipes harps

26. Why were King Hammurabi’s law codes obeyed?

28. The Hittites, 1600 bc- 1200 bc The first people to develop a substantial iron industry

29. examples of Hittite iron swords…

31. A Phoenician sailing vessel

32. The Phoenician Alphabet, circa 1400 bc

33. The Hebrews Monotheism Removed the gods from nature Assertion of human dignity 10 Commandments