Chapter 1 Section 2 Mesopotamia

Where was the first civilization? The first civilization formed in between two rivers in modern day Iraq: the Tigris River and the Euphrates River

The River Valley Mesopotamia = “The land between two rivers” (in Greek) Mesopotamia was the area, known for 3 civilizations: Sumer Babylon Assyria

Sumer

The Rise of Sumer Why do you think Sumer could grow so large? Farming provided food for a large number of people People no longer had to worry so much about hunting and finding food. With that out of the way, what could they focus on now? Writing!!! Math Technology Army

Sumerian City-States Sumer was made up of many city-states (basically, little cities) City-states would trade with each other City-states would fight each other

Gods and rulers For the first time ever, Sumerians believed in many gods They would build ziggurats to please the gods (at the top was a special place of worship for priests)

What was life like in sumer? Most people farmed Others were artisans Skilled workers who made stuff (clothes, pottery) There were 3 social classes: Upper class: Kings, priests, government Middle class: Artisans, farmers, merchants Lower class: enslaved people who worked on farms or in temples

HINT! Hint! Test question alert!!! What was Sumer’s greatest accomplishment? WRITING!!! Their writing was called cuneiform

The fall of sumer Sumer didn’t fall in a day Over time, the Akkadians from northern Mesopotamia attacked and weakened Sumer The king of Akkadia was Sargon Sargon set up the world’s first Empire. What is an empire? A group of many different lands under one ruler.

Babylon 18oos B.C. a new group of people became powerful in Mesopotamia Became a center of trade The king of Babylon, Hammurabi, began conquering cities. Babylon (city) became the Babylonian Empire

HAMMURABI Hammurabi is best known for his law code (collection of laws) His code covered crimes, marriage, farming, family, etc. SO LET’S READ ABOUT IT