Objectives: Analyze primary source documents to better understand the political, social, intellectual and religious characteristics of Mesopotamia. Describe PERSIA G characteristics of Mesopotamia 9/19 & 9/20

River Valley Civilizations

There were four primary river civilizations that developed between 3500 – 500 BCE

Why did the first civilizations begin in the river valleys? Rich soil along the river banks was good for farming Natural geographic features around the river valleys offered protection

The river valleys were the “Cradles of Civilization.” What do you think that means? They provided the baby civilizations what they needed to grow. Each civilization made major contributions to social, political and economic progress.

1. Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent

Geography: Mesopotamia means “Land between two rivers”

Unpredictable river flooding led to the development of irrigation systems Mesopotamia is located in the Fertile Crescent in present-day Iraq Flooding left behind fertile silt which made the soil between the rivers perfect for farming Mountains and deserts provided protection from outside invaders Geography

Political First city-states, later empires

The region of Sumer, and the city-states of Ur and Uruk, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers were among the oldest civilizations. First ruled by kings as independent city states, later, Mesopotamia would be ruled as empires. What is an empire? What factors would lead one civilization to conquer another? These empires would develop from within Mesopotamia. 1)Akkadian 2)Babylonian 3)Assyrian 4)Neobabylonian. What were the functions of these ancient governments?

Economy of Mesopotamia Based primarily on agriculture – 90 percent of the people were farmers. But, evidence of trade along rivers, and with Egypt. Artifacts revealed metal work in bronze, gold and copper 

Religion The Mesopotamians worshiped many gods and g oddesses which means they were POLYTHEISTIC. They constructed huge pyramids, called Ziggurats, to worship their gods. Sumerians had a negative view of the afterlife where their souls would wander in the land of no return.

Religion – continued Rulers were believed to be divinely chosen –the gods appointed them to rule. This is called a theocracy - rule by a religious authority. The earliest rulers in Mesopotamia were priests. Can you name a modern-day theocracy?

Sumerian Society Priests and Kings Wealthy merchants Commoners Slaves Scribes

Society - Continued Why were priests in the upper classes of society? Priests communicated and made offerings to the gods. Since the gods controlled the people’s fate, priests, were very important. Sumerian women had more rights than women in later civilizations but it is believed that they were not educated.

Intellectual Cuneiform was the first written language. It was made using clay and a stylus, and has wedge-shaped characters Its characters are based on pictograms

Intellectual - Continued More Cuneiform:

Intellectual - Continued Two important written documents come from Mesopotamia: 1. The Epic of Gilgamesh 2. Hammurabi’s Code Both were written in cuneiform and translated.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is possibly the oldest story ever written. It was found on clay tablets and tells the story of a king (Gilgamesh) and a man (Enkidu) who fight an evil God named Humbaba. The man is mortally wounded and Gilgamesh realizes that men are not immortal.

The Code of Hammurabi is the code of laws established By Hammurabi of Babylon When he conquered all Of Mesopotamia. What might we learn about Mesopotamia by looking at its laws? Think P.E.R.S.I.A. G. ?

The laws were carved onto a basalt (stone) slab called a stele. It included laws for commerce Harsh punishments including, “an eye for an eye” It contained different rules for different social classes It even set forth rules and punishments for marriage Hammurabi’s Code

Achievements Agricultural Surpluses Job Specialization Invention of Wheel, sail, plow, irrigation systems Bronze tools

Plow Irrigation System Bronze Weapons

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