G.R.A.P.E.S. Mesopotamia

Geography Mesopotamia was located between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers in modern day Iraq. The Mesopotamians used their location in the Fertile Crescent to their advantage by growing crops.

Religion In Mesopotamia, the people were polytheistic, meaning they believed in multiple gods. The people worshipped these gods at a ziggurat, which was a temple for worshiping and were also usually the center of cities.

Achievements Created irrigation system Used bronze Invented the plow, wheel, sailboat, and the first harp. Number/writing system known as cuneiform, which was imprinted on clay tablets.

Politics Early on, the government was controlled by the priests, who were considered to be “in between” the gods and the humans. Later on, men of the city would pick a fighter who would rule during the war. After that, rulers would pass the rule to their sons, creating a monarchy. Hammarabi’s Code was estatblished

economics The economy of Mesopotamia was primarily based on trade. Trade routes were created between neighboring civilization in which they traded barley and grain in return for metals. Long distance trade routes were also created.

Social structure Priests and Kings were the highest class in the social structure. Just below the priests came the rich merchants. Most citizens were workers and farmers. The slaves were the lowest class. The slaves worked for the king, the temple, and the wealthy.