1. The Cradle of Civilization
Mesopotamia
The Cradle of Civilization

2. Where Was It?
Map on the left shows the location in the world.
Mesopotamia was located in the Middle East, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name means “Land Between the Rivers.”

3. Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

4. River Valley Civilization (brainstorm-discussion)
What are the advantages to settling near a major river?
What might be some advantages and some disadvantages to living near two rivers?

5. Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
Border countries
Iran
Jordan
Kuwait
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Turkey
Euphrates
Longest River-Middle East (1,740 miles)
Origins-Turkey (eastern highlands)
40% is in Turkey
25% is in Syria
35% is in Iraq
Peak flow in April & May (melting mountain snow)
Lowest level in August & September (need water to irrigate crops)
Source for drinking water
Tigris
(1,200 miles)
Origins-Turkey (Taurus Mts. of eastern Turkey)
Tigris unites with the Euphrates near Basra, Iraq.
Tigris is heavily dammed in Iraq and Turkey, to provide water for irrigating the arid and semi-desert regions bordering the river valley.

6. Problems
The people of Mesopotamia often fought against each other for control of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
These problems continue to this day!

7. River Conflicts
The people of Turkey want to build dams along the rivers for power and irrigation.
Syria and Iraq also want to use the waters from these rivers for power and irrigation.
Arguments over water from these rivers have almost led to wars and require much diplomacy among the three countries.
For activities showing hydroelectric power, go to:
For background information about the conflict, see:
For an activity on dams, see:

8. Map of Tigris-Euphrates Region (edible)
Review the map with a blank overhead map. Have students respond in unison while you point to the locations of the items. Divide students into cooperative pairs ( or individual). Provide each pair with a blank map, a sheet of wax paper and two gloves (one for each student). Students should be reminded of sanitary precautions to reduce the chance of germ transmission. Give each pair a scoop of cookie dough from the recipe below. Dough should be shaped to cover the Tigris-Euphrates Region. Items such as chocolate chips, raisins, skittles, M&M's, blue icing in the tubes (for water), coconut (snow), candy sprinkles, sugar crystal (ice), etc. should be used to designate the mountains, capitol, important cities, rivers, lakes, oceans, bordering countries, etc. (Send a note home about 2 weeks in advance requesting parents to donate supplies including the small bathroom cups to pour the chips, coconut, etc. into for each pair.)
Cookie Dough Recipe:
2 cups peanut butter
2 cups light corn syrup (make sure there are no additives in the corn syrup)
2 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 and 1/2 cups powdered milk
Mix together in a HEAVY DUTY food processor. No cooking is required. I had to triple the recipe for 25 kids to make a 1/4 inch thick map that was smaller than a paper plate.
Rubric/Map

9. Terms To Know City-state Sumerians civilization Cuneiform Hammurabi Ur
Babylon
Ziggurat
Hydroelectric power
Diplomacy
Dynasty
Famine
Silt
Fertile

10. Fertile Crescent Civilizations
From 4000 to 1750 B.C.E. an area known as “The Fertile Crescent” emerged. Three major early civilizations developed here.
The first civilization to emerge was called Sumer. Around 3,000 B.C.E. Sumerians established city states. Ur is one of the most famous, though each developed as a separate ‘country’. From B.C.E. there was almost always some kind of warfare between the dynasties.
Around 2350 B.C.E. Akkad defeated the city states of Sumer, thus Sumer’s era began to fade out. The Akkadian Empire was the world’s first true empire, which lasted about 200 years. It ended due to famines that caused conflict in Akkadian society.
Amorites invaded the area and established a capital at Babylon, a city that reached its peak in 1750 B.C.E. These three civilizations have led us today to refer to the region as ‘the Cradle of Civilization’.

11. Sumer
The first city-state

12. Mesopotamia & Sumer
‘There are two rivers that make up what the ‘The fertile Crescent’. They are the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
The rivers flooded once a year and left thick mud. The soil left behind after a flood is called silt. This soil was good for farming, and gave surpluses that could be used for trading.
Around 3300 BCE a group of people called Sumerians were attracted to the rich soil and settled the area.
There were problems they faced, however. Over a long period of time people learned to solve these problems.

13. Mesopotamia Problems Solutions
Unpredictable flooding; land became desert-like if there was only a little rain.
Villages and towns were on flat land with no natural barriers ? very difficult to defend. In the beginning there were no standing armies.
Sumerians had few resources available for building and making tools.
Sumerians had to develop agriculture, continue digging out canals so that irrigation could continue to work, build city walls and temples (and deal with the problems of completing major projects!). Land wasn’t so free and available, and the quality or farm land varied. Water was also sometimes scarce, especially during dry seasons.
Solutions
The Sumerians dug into the banks and created irrigation canals that carried water to fields. They could grow a surplus of crops.
The Sumerians built mud-brick walls around their cities for defense.
They traded cloth, surplus grain, and crafter tools with the people of the mountains and deserts. In return they received stone, wood and metals.
Leaders were chosen to organize large labor forces to plan and supervises major projects. They had to see that they got raw materials and could feed the workforce. Laws were made to settle disputes about land and water distribution .

14. Mesopotamia: Historical Importance
Mesopotamia was considered the “cradle of civilization” because it is where man first started to settle down.
The fertile valley allowed early man to farm for the first time.
Because he could grow his own food, he could settle in one place.
Once man started settlements, all sorts of things started happening!

15. Sumer The people of Sumer were called Sumerians.
They developed a civilization around 3000 BC.
The Sumerians were the first to:
Develop a system of writing (cuneiform)
Develop a system of government
Develop an organized religion
Develop a system of laws

16. Developing Writing
Cuneiform – wedge-shaped writing developed by Sumerians
Scribes used reeds on clay
Began as “picture writing,” then became more standard
For a hands-on activity related to cuneiform see:

17. Cuneiform – wedge-shaped writing developed by Sumerians
Using clay or other appropriate materials,
write a message about your Sumerian
Civilization.

18. Developing Government
The first governments were democratic.
Over time, the people became ruled by a king, who was also head of their religion.
One of the most famous kings was named Hammurabi.

19. Organizing a Religion The Sumerians worshipped many gods.
(Polytheistic)
They developed astrology as a way of learning about their gods.
They did not believe in a life after death.
Their religious temple was called a ziggurat.
The famous ziggurat at Ur.

20. The Epic of Gilgamesh Read a story from the Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh comes from the Sumerians. It is one of the oldest written stories in the world. The story is a legend about one of their kings.
Read a story from the Epic of Gilgamesh

21. Developing Laws
Sumerians developed a system of law under King Hammurabi.
The Code of Hammurabi was the first time a system of laws was organized and written.
The laws were the basis of later laws and required “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”
If you want to read the Code of Hammurabi, go to:
For lesson plans on Hammurabi’s Code, see:

22. The Code of Hammurabi
If any one is committing a robbery and is caught…
he shall be put to death.
If a slave say to his master: "You are not my master," if they convict him
his master shall cut off his ear.

23. The Code of Hammurabi Primary Source Analysis (Groups) Report Out!
Individually: Write a short persuasive speech in support of your changes to Hammurabi’s Code.

24. Persuasive Writing What is persuasive writing?
Your point of view about the topic
Convince the audience v. Demanding
Detailed Reasons/Examples
Conclusion (Not THE END)
Hamburger Model
Rubric

25. Persuasive Writing Brainstorm orally and written Rough Draft
Confer/Revise
Edit
Final Copy

26. Student Presentations
Persuasive Speeches
(Hammurabi’s Code)

27. New Technologies Printing cylinders Mathematics: The wheel
A system based on 60
The 360° circle
The wheel
Reinforced bricks for buildings
The kiln (used to fire bricks)
The game of checkers

28. The Babylonians
Babylonia was created when the countries of Sumer and Akkad were brought together under Hammurabi.
The Babylonians continued to develop a complex culture.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
A 16th century painting depicting the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, with the Tower of Babel in the background.