Mesopotamia Land between the rivers

Sumer The Sumerians are thought to have formed the first human civilization in world history. They lived in southern Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in the Middle East. 

Fertile Crescent Arch shaped region full of rich farmland Mesopotamia is located in this region

Silt Fertile soil left behind after a flood Mixture of tiny rocks and dirt Floodwaters bring to the land

Irrigation Supply water to an area of land Canals, dams, basins built by people to bring water from Tigris and Euphrates River to the inland regions

Canals Man-made waterways

Surplus Extra More than needed

Division of Labor Doing jobs based on ability A way to meet more needs Required for the advancement of society

Social Hierarchy Ranking of society by class or job. Rulers Mrs. Young Ha! Priests and Warriors

Caravans Traveling groups of merchants (buyers and sellers of goods) Camels helped travel over desert Merchants travel from city to city bringing goods like pottery, cloth, baskets, jewelry, etc.

Monarch Ruler, King, Pharaoh, etc Ruler of the government Person with most power and wealth that makes decisions for the lower classes Power is passed to other family members

Gilgamesh Legendary Sumerian King of the city of Uruk in Sumer Most famous because of the great epic (long story) told about his heroism  The Epic of Gilgamesh

Sargon the Great Also known as Sargon of Akkad Created world’s first empire when conquered the people of Sumer First permanent army

Hammurabi’s Code Hammurabi = Babylonian King 282 laws written by Hammurabi Dealt with everyday issues back then Harsh – eye for an eye!!!

Empire Large area of land under the complete authority and rule of one person

Polytheism Worship many gods and or goddesses

Cuneiform First writing system Wedge-shaped writing in clay tablets Stylus to indent Symbols or pictographs into the clay

Scribe Writer – usually boys/men from wealthy family Years of training to read and write cuneiform Keeps records of trade and government

Epics Long stories that tell of heroes Epic of Gilgamesh – Great King of Sumer

Ziggurat Pyramid-shaped temple inside the city-states in Mesopotamia Built to honor Mesopotamian gods Very top = holy place, gods’ home

City-State A city that governs itself and its surrounding territory. Villages grew into large cities and a government was needed to organize people City-state = first government system There were many city-states throughout Sumer.  These city-states often fought each other. They built walls around their cities for protection. Farmland was outside the walls, but people would retreat to the city when invaders came. 

Tribute Forced payment to the king from a conquered people Food, animals, tools, jewelry, etc.

King Nebuchadnezzar King of Chaldean Empire in Mesopotamia Rebuilt Babylon Built the Hanging Gardens for his wife (Don’t get this confused with the ziggurat!)