Review of Mesopotamia Reading Guide

They were polytheistic Their temples were called “ziggurats,” 41. Summarize the religion of the Sumerians and discuss the role that religion played in Sumerian society. They were polytheistic Their temples were called “ziggurats,” Their governments were theocratic The gods owned the cities

43. What was “Hammurabi’s” code and how did it affect society in Mesopotamia? One of the first laws Created by King Hammurabi of Babylon Extended his rule over large areas Known for their brutality

If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then the builder shall be put to death.

If a man strikes a pregnant woman, thereby causing her to miscarry and die, the assailant's daughter shall be put to death.

 If a man take a wife and this woman give her husband a maid-servant, and she bear him children, but this man wishes to take another wife, this shall not be permitted to him; he shall not take a second wife   If a man take a wife, and she bear him no children, and he intend to take another wife: if he take this second wife, and bring her into the house, this second wife shall not be allowed equality with his wife.

 If any one hire a field laborer, he shall pay him eight gur of corn per year.

If the slave of a freed man strikes the body of a freed man, his ear shall be cut off.

If during an unsuccessful operation a patient dies, the arm of the surgeon must be cut off

If a man puts out the eye of an equal, his eye shall be put out.

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” -Gandhi, 20th Century

42. Who owned slaves in Sumeria and what kind of work did the slaves do? Palace officials and landowners Built temples, house keeping, farming

Products could be traded over long distances 44. Discuss how the invention of the wheel helped improve the economy of Sumeria. Products could be traded over long distances Why? What invention, which would come later, might be even better for improving trade?

45. Who was Sargon and what did he do? Akkadian ruler in Mesopotamia Created the first “Empire” Empire -- “a territory of greater extent than a kingdom”

Primitive alphabet later “Scribes” were rare (and well paid) 47. What was Cuneiform, when was it invented, where was it invented, how was it made, and why was it necessary? First writing C. 3,000 B.C. Mesopotamia Pictographs early Primitive alphabet later “Scribes” were rare (and well paid) Wedges cut into clay

(Perhaps) The oldest written story The Epic of Gilgamesh (Perhaps) The oldest written story Written in Sumeria C. 2,150 Bible was written C. 500 B.C.