Mesopotamia
This is known as the “cradle of civilization” or the location for the emergence of civilization. When did this civilization emerge? – /frame_mes.html /frame_mes.html Where was this civilization? – It was the area between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. – Mesopotamia literally means “land between two rivers.”
Characteristics of Mesopotamia Cities They were the first to develop cities among anyone else. Babylon was a famous city – It was considered a marvel of the ancient world with a population of 200,000. – Defensive walls around the city for 10 miles.
Babylon
Characteristics of Mesopotamia Farming They were the first farmers in the world. They domesticated animals such as cattle, goats, and pigs. Some of Mesopotamia did not have steady rainfall in the summer, so they were the first to come up with irrigation.
Irrigation
Characteristics of Mesopotamia Religion – These people were polytheistic – worshipped many gods. Actually they worshipped hundreds of gods. Every city even had its own god. Yet, only certain gods received major attention. Like god of the sky, sun etc. Main god = Anu father of the gods and god of the sky.
Religion
Characteristics of Mesopotamia Writing – Developed the first form of writing. It was known as cuneiform – wedge shaped symbols. They wrote on clay tablets, and eventually had a very systematic form of record keeping. Wealthy students went to school as scribes which was very important and a very difficult job.
Cuneiform - Very hard to decipher
Characteristics of Mesopotamia Literature The first piece of literature was developed here. It was passed down orally, but written on clay tablets around 2000 bc, 1,000 years before the Illiad or Odyssey. It is called the Epic of Gilgamesh It describes a part man, part god as he journeys through life facing obstacles.
Gilgamesh This one is Gilgamesh
Characteristics of Mesopotamia Laws Laws of Hammurabi - The longest and best organized written laws that survived from Mesopotamia. It details crimes and punishments. It also has a prologue stating that laws were divine; from the gods.
Code of Hammurabi
Characteristics of Mesopotamia Architecture They made structures out of the mud bricks which was good because they had a lot of it. They also made structures called Ziggurats – Stepped towers made of mud-bricks, every city had one, and it was part of a temple complex.
Ziggurats