The Economies of Mesopotamia & Egypt BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED SO FAR, WHAT ACTIVITIES DO YOU THINK WOULD DRIVE THE ECONOMIES OF EACH CIVILIZATION?

Agriculture in Mesopotamia 3 main crops: barley, dates & sesame seeds Raised cows, donkeys & sheep Wool was important industry Irrigation canals essential to success, so professional irrigators maintained the system Land owned by temples & leased to farmers: 1/3 production given to temple 1/3 production given to king 1/3 production given to farmer who paid taxes on it Unfair system angered farmers, so land taken from temples & farmers allowed to buy it Mesopotamian economy based mainly on barter system, but also used coins Agriculture most important part of economy in both civs

Industry in Mesopotamia Most craftspeople worked near or inside the walls of ziggurats Artisans included tanners, potters, carpenters, weavers and metal workers Overseers saw to quality control Temple scribes kept accounts

Agriculture in Egypt Pharaoh’s wealth based on abundance of food, not treasure Few farmers owned their land Most worked land owned by Pharaoh, temples or wealthy families Paid a percentage of the harvest Grain was most important crop Grew papyrus reeds for paper, baskets, footwear, etc. Barter system, based on the value of wheat, used to pay salaries, collect taxes and trade Egyptian economy was a blend of traditional (subsistence farming), market (supply and demand) and command (government control of production and distribution of wealth) economies Barter system would later be based on value of precious metals like gold, silver, copper Also grew lettuce, beans, onions, figs, dates, grapes, melons cucumbers

Industry in Egypt Skilled trades passed from father to son Artisans were part of a workshop Sold their products in shops near the palace, temples or wealthy houses Used local materials to produce goods (e.g. flax to make linen) Artisans included furniture makers, potters, jewelers, weavers, etc. Mining was important in rural areas Construction materials (e.g. limestone, granite) Precious metals and gems Egyptians did not get to explore career options