Warm Up: What do you think the first civilization looked like? Be descriptive in your response. (Tell me details) What do you think the first civilization looked like? Be descriptive in your response. (Tell me details)

Mesopotamia The Land Between Two Rivers

Development of Cities Development of Cities

Timeline Sumerian3,500 BC – 2,300 BC Sumerian3,500 BC – 2,300 BC Akkadian2,300 BC – 1,900 BC Akkadian2,300 BC – 1,900 BC Babylonian1,900 BC – 1,300 BC Babylonian1,900 BC – 1,300 BC Assyrian1,300 BC – 612 BC Assyrian1,300 BC – 612 BC The Sumerians moved to the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers about 3500BC, but we do not know where they came from. They were probably nomads who discovered the fertile land between the rivers. Many different civilizations developed in this small region. The Sumerians moved to the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers about 3500BC, but we do not know where they came from. They were probably nomads who discovered the fertile land between the rivers. Many different civilizations developed in this small region. Mesopotamia was ruled by four different empires

Geography Mesopotamia is a Greek word meaning between the rivers Mesopotamia is a Greek word meaning between the rivers Ancient Mesopotamia was located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Ancient Mesopotamia was located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Most of Mesopotamia was located in present day Iraq Most of Mesopotamia was located in present day Iraq The hot dry climate was mixed with seasonal flooding from the rivers The hot dry climate was mixed with seasonal flooding from the riversl

Mesopotamia (Land of Firsts) Eventually the Sumerians developed a civilization. They learned that by planting seeds and plowing their land, they were able to grow crops. They learned to domesticate, or tame animals to help them plow their lands. The Sumerians learned to use irrigation, or a system of watering crops, to grow more food. The Sumerians also made a very important invention--the wheel. The invention of the wheel made it possible to pull heavy loads. Eventually the Sumerians developed a civilization. They learned that by planting seeds and plowing their land, they were able to grow crops. They learned to domesticate, or tame animals to help them plow their lands. The Sumerians learned to use irrigation, or a system of watering crops, to grow more food. The Sumerians also made a very important invention--the wheel. The invention of the wheel made it possible to pull heavy loads. First to invent the wheel First to invent the wheel First to use sails on boats First to use sails on boats One of first to make up a story (Gilgamesh) One of first to make up a story (Gilgamesh) First to use cuneiform (writing) First to use cuneiform (writing) First to use the calendar First to use the calendar First to use the seeder plow First to use the seeder plow First to give a number place value and recognize the concept of zero First to give a number place value and recognize the concept of zero Mesopotamia is known as, “The Cradle of Civilization,” because it was first in many things:

Agriculture (The Fertile Crescent) Farmers turned the land into a rich food growing area by using irrigation and the plow Farmers turned the land into a rich food growing area by using irrigation and the plow Farmers grew wheat, barley, dates, and other vegetables and fruit Farmers grew wheat, barley, dates, and other vegetables and fruit They raised goat, pig, sheep and cattle They raised goat, pig, sheep and cattle Irrigation created a surplus of food which led to the growth of cities Irrigation created a surplus of food which led to the growth of cities Surplus led to a flourishing system of trade Surplus led to a flourishing system of trade

Economy The Mesopotamian plain was lacking in resources such as metals, timber, stone, and grapevines, so the Sumerians had to trade abroad to get them The Mesopotamian plain was lacking in resources such as metals, timber, stone, and grapevines, so the Sumerians had to trade abroad to get them At first, the Sumerians traded surplus barley for these goods At first, the Sumerians traded surplus barley for these goods Later, the Sumerians began to manufacture trading goods that they could transport more easily, such as cloth and bronze ornaments Later, the Sumerians began to manufacture trading goods that they could transport more easily, such as cloth and bronze ornaments The Mesopotamians made written contracts, loans and created a credit system The Mesopotamians made written contracts, loans and created a credit system They used a barter system They used a barter system

Trade Routes

Language Mesopotamians were the first to use writing (around 3,000 BC) Mesopotamians were the first to use writing (around 3,000 BC) The system of writing was called cuneiform The system of writing was called cuneiform Cuneiform was wedge shaped symbols pressed into clay tablets Cuneiform was wedge shaped symbols pressed into clay tablets The Mesopotamians wrote many myths The Mesopotamians wrote many myths The most famous was the epic poem called Gilgamesh The most famous was the epic poem called Gilgamesh Writing allowed people to keep records of their transactions Writing allowed people to keep records of their transactions People could send messages with couriers to far away lands without traveling People could send messages with couriers to far away lands without traveling Writing allowed people to pass on their accumulated knowledge to future generations Writing allowed people to pass on their accumulated knowledge to future generations

Cuneiform Tablets

Religion The people of Mesopotamia believed in many gods The people of Mesopotamia believed in many gods Each town was protected by its own, unique deity or god Each town was protected by its own, unique deity or god The temple, the center of worship, was also the center of every city The temple, the center of worship, was also the center of every city Around the year 2000 B.C., temple towers called ziggurats were built to link heaven and earth Around the year 2000 B.C., temple towers called ziggurats were built to link heaven and earth

Government The Mesopotamians had written laws that everyone in the empire had to follow The Mesopotamians had written laws that everyone in the empire had to follow There were 282 laws created by King Hamurabi There were 282 laws created by King Hamurabi Known as Hamurabi's Code, the laws were written in stone and placed in a public location Known as Hamurabi's Code, the laws were written in stone and placed in a public location The Mesopotamians believed the gods called the king to establish justice and order; whoever disobeyed the king disobeyed the gods The Mesopotamians believed the gods called the king to establish justice and order; whoever disobeyed the king disobeyed the gods

Social Organization & Daily Life The King held military powers. The King held military powers. The Governors governed the territories of the kingdom. They were generals and judges at the same time. The Governors governed the territories of the kingdom. They were generals and judges at the same time. The aristocracy were priests and traders. The aristocracy were priests and traders. The peasants worked the land. The peasants worked the land. Sports, games and entertainment were part of their everyday life Sports, games and entertainment were part of their everyday life Boxing and wrestling were popular sports Boxing and wrestling were popular sports Board games were also popular Board games were also popular The kings were famous hunters of lions, elephants, ostriches, wild bulls The kings were famous hunters of lions, elephants, ostriches, wild bulls Harps and lyres were played Harps and lyres were played

Mesopotamian Banquet

Art

Art