The Story of the First River Civilization: Mesopotamia 3,000 to 2,000 B.C.

The First Civilizations Mesopotamia The First Civilizations

CHUNKS Located between Tigris and Euphrates which provided fertile soil. The river flooding was controlled by dams and irrigation Allowed for food surpluses to be grown which allowed civilized city-states to develop.

Sumer’s Civilization: Writing, Religion, and Tech

CHUNKS Sumer was the first great city-state and had government, an economy, and social classes = civilization. Sumer’s religion was polytheistic and gods were worshipped at ziggurats Sumerians invented the wheel, sailboats, and writing (cuneiform)

The Epic of Gilgamesh

CHUNKS One of the first great stories – an epic, which is a “quest” or journey in search of something. Is similar to other ancient stories like Noah’s Ark and the Great Flood. It is the story of a king who, with a friend, battles monsters and the gods, and goes in search of eternal life.

The First Empire: Sargon of Akkad

CHUNKS Sargon conquered Akkad and Sumer, combining these two city-states to make the first “empire”. He eventually conquered all of Mesopotamia, uniting all of its people. This unity allowed the culture of Mesopotamia to grow and spread. Think how England and America spread.

Hammurabi of Babylon: The First Laws

CHUNKS Hammurabi of the city-state Babylon conquered Mesopotamia. He instituted the first law code which is based on an “eye for an eye” justice. The law code protected more vulnerable people – wives, the poor. Became the basis for Greek and Roman law.

The Assyrians: Bigger and Badder

CHUNKS One of the best militaries of the ancient world. Iron weapons. Well organized empire with political districts and messengers. 3. The Library of Nineveh is one of the first of its kind and provides many insights into ancient cultures.

The New Babylonian Empire

CHUNKS Also known as Chaldean and Mede Empire. Nebuchadnezzar was their great king. Built the amazing Hanging Gardens of Babylon – one of the ancient wonders of the world. 3. Great astronomers. Invented sundial.