Mesopotamia Mr. Perkins Fall 2015

Bellringer – 9/9/15

Essential Question How did geography influence the development of civilization in Southwest Asia?

Chapter 3, Lesson 1 Terms Fertile Crescent Silt Irrigation Canals Surplus Division of Labor

After the Neolithic Melting ice from the Ice Ages led to the formation of rivers and fertile land across Southwest Asia Shift from food gathering to food producing allowed farmers to use this fertile land to grow food People chose to live between two rivers because of this: the Tigris and Euphrates

Mesopotamia Means “between the rivers” in Greek Tigris & Euphrates Part of the Fertile Crescent Large piece of fertile land in Southwest Asia Northern Mesopotamia Plateau bordered by mountains Southern Mesopotamia Flat plain where the two rivers flowed

Farming Mesopotamia 12,000 B.C. = Hunter-gatherers migrated to the land Floods created silt, mixture of rich soil and tiny rocks 7,000 B.C. = First settlements in Mesopotamia Wheat, barley, and oats planted in silt Animals (horses, cattle, goats) used to farm Population began to grow 4,000 – 3,000 B.C. = Settlements become cities

The Problems of Mesopotamian Life Little rainfall Water from rivers was used for crops Rivers often flooded when Too much water came from Asia Minor What happens when the rivers flood? Low water levels What happens to crops with no water? Mesopotamian irrigation system Basins Canals Ditches https://www.youtube.com/watch/?v=5RP2KfewiJA

Effects of Irrigation Surpluses More well fed animals More food than people needed More well fed animals Could do more work = produce more food Could produce more babies = more labor Irrigation created less work More free time More time for other jobs such as crafts, political leaders, and religious leaders Division of Labor Division of labor created organization and rules Turned towns into civilizations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki8S5I83Ccc

Chapter 3, Lesson 2 Terms Rural Urban City-state Gilgamesh Sargon Empire Polytheism Priests Social hierarchy

The Rise of Sumer First civilization in the world Southern Mesopotamia 3,000 B.C. = Hundreds of thousands Sumerians lived in Mesopotamia Most Sumerians were farmers Lived in rural, or countryside, areas Center of Sumerian society happened in urban, or city, areas City + surrounding countryside = city-state

Sumerian Feuds Over time, Sumerian cities began to fight for power Built armies Built walls to protect their city One Sumerian king became quite powerful Gilgamesh Epic of Gilgamesh (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOrfrHys8g8)

Song about Gilgamesh You must create a song about the Epic of Gilgamesh The song can be in any style you like (rap, rock, etc.) It must have 4 stanzas with 4 lines in each Does not have to rhyme but it would be more fun if it did! Example of a stanza

The Rise of the Akkadian Empire Years after the rise of Sumer A new civilization called the Akkadian Empire began to grow Lived north of Sumer Completely different from Sumerians Didn’t even speak the same language! Sumer and the Akkadian Empire were at peace for years King Sargon built an army and defeated all Sumer’s city-states Controlled different territories and people under one ruler Akkadian Empire lasted for 150 years Sumer came back into power

Religion in Sumer One of the most important parts to Sumerian society Sumerians practiced polytheism Worshipped many gods Enlil, god of the air Enki, god of wisdom Inanna, goddess of love and war Utu and Nanna, gods of sun and moon Sumerian gods created all parts of life Brought harvests or floods Good health or illness Wealth or poverty Success came from pleasing the gods Priests, people who performed religious ceremonies, helped please the gods by making offerings to them

Leaders in Sumer People that had important jobs were higher in the social hierarchy (division of society by rank or class) Kings Priests Craftsmen, merchants, & traders Farmers & laborers Slaves

Chapter 3, Lesson 3 Terms Cuneiform Pictographs Scribe Epics Architecture Ziggurat

Cuneiform First form of writing Used stylus & clay tablets Used lines or pictographs to represent words First used by scribes to keep records Later used to record epics

Other Sumerian Inventions Wheel Used for carts & wagons Used to make pottery Plow Pulled by animals to make farming easier Greatly increased crop production Clock Measured time by used water Sewer system Got rid of waste Bronze tools Tools lasted longer Makeup and jewelry

Math and Science Created math system based on number 60 360° circle 12 month calendar 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour Created a naming system for thousands of plants, animals, and minerals Used these plants, animals, and minerals to create medicines

Arts of Sumer Architecture Statues of gods Materials used Music Large palaces Two-story homes One-story homes Ziggurat Statues of gods Materials used Ivory Rare woods Gold Silver Gems Music Reed pipes Drums Tambourines Lyres