Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia

Geography & Environment “the land between the rivers…”

On which continent was Mesopotamia located?On which continent was Mesopotamia located? Asia; in what is modern day Iraq, Syria & TurkeyAsia; in what is modern day Iraq, Syria & Turkey The Geography

On which rivers did the ancient Mesopotamians settle?On which rivers did the ancient Mesopotamians settle? Between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers; in an area known as the Fertile CrescentBetween the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers; in an area known as the Fertile Crescent The Geography

Flooding provided rich soil for farmingFlooding provided rich soil for farming The Geography

Three Environmental Challenges:Three Environmental Challenges: Unpredictable floodingUnpredictable flooding No natural barriers for protectionNo natural barriers for protection Limited natural resourcesLimited natural resources  Predict how Mesopotamians overcame each of these challenges… The Geography

Early Mesopotamian Kingdoms

Mesopotamian Cultures Mesopotamia did NOT represent a unified kingdom, instead it was made up of a series of kingdoms that occupied a specific geographical spaceMesopotamia did NOT represent a unified kingdom, instead it was made up of a series of kingdoms that occupied a specific geographical space

Sumer (c – 2300 BC)Sumer (c – 2300 BC) Akkad (c BC)Akkad (c BC) Babylonia ( BC)Babylonia ( BC) Assyria ( BC)Assyria ( BC) Neo-Babylonia ( BC)Neo-Babylonia ( BC) Mesopotamian Cultures

The first civilization Sumer 3500 – 2300 BCE

Geography:Geography: Located at the southern end of MesopotamiaLocated at the southern end of Mesopotamia Near the mouths of the Tigris & EuphratesNear the mouths of the Tigris & Euphrates Sumerian Geography

City-state:City-state: A city + its surrounding landsA city + its surrounding lands Independent political units that competed for trade & boundariesIndependent political units that competed for trade & boundaries i.e. Uruk, Kish, Ur, Lagashi.e. Uruk, Kish, Ur, Lagash

Same culture, BUT each had its own:Same culture, BUT each had its own: Ruler, special god, and armyRuler, special god, and army Sumerian Geography

Sumerian Religion & Government Polytheism:Polytheism: The worship of more than one godThe worship of more than one god Believed gods were immortal & all powerful; humans were to serve the godsBelieved gods were immortal & all powerful; humans were to serve the gods

Ziggurat:Ziggurat: Centralized temples where sacrifices and offerings were made to the godsCentralized temples where sacrifices and offerings were made to the gods Animals, food, wine, etc.Animals, food, wine, etc. Sumerian Religion & Government

City-states were ruled by priest- kings who were viewed as powerful agents of the godsCity-states were ruled by priest- kings who were viewed as powerful agents of the gods Theocracy – gov’t based on religious authorityTheocracy – gov’t based on religious authority Sumerian Religion & Government

Despite their religious practices, Sumerians had little, if any, belief in an afterlifeDespite their religious practices, Sumerians had little, if any, belief in an afterlife Believed that the souls of the dead went to the “land of no return”Believed that the souls of the dead went to the “land of no return”

Sumerian Economy Economy based on farming & tradeEconomy based on farming & trade Traded with places as far away as Egypt and IndiaTraded with places as far away as Egypt and India At first barter onlyAt first barter only Used barley for money, then switched to coinsUsed barley for money, then switched to coins

Sumerian Culture & Knowledge Developed a form of written language known as cuneiformDeveloped a form of written language known as cuneiform Wedge shapes scratched into clay tabletsWedge shapes scratched into clay tablets

Sumerian Culture & Knowledge Invention of the wheel (3000 BC)Invention of the wheel (3000 BC)

Sumerian Culture & Knowledge Other notable contributions:Other notable contributions: System of irrigationSystem of irrigation Invention of the sail & plowInvention of the sail & plow The usage of bronzeThe usage of bronze Development of a number system based on 60Development of a number system based on 60 Architecture: arches, columns, rampsArchitecture: arches, columns, ramps

Kings/PriestsLandholdersWealthyMerchants Field Laborers & Artisans Slaves Sumerian Society

Most Sumerians worked with their hands in fields and workshopsMost Sumerians worked with their hands in fields and workshops Houses were made of mud brick and clayHouses were made of mud brick and clay

Sumerian Society Roles of Men/Women:Roles of Men/Women: Men could sell wife/kids into slavery to pay off debtMen could sell wife/kids into slavery to pay off debt But women could obtain a divorce and buy/sell propertyBut women could obtain a divorce and buy/sell property Scribe Schools: EdubbasScribe Schools: Edubbas For rich boys onlyFor rich boys only

Babylonia The first system of justice 1790 – 1590 BCE

The Babylonian Empire In 1792 BC a new empire took control of MesopotamiaIn 1792 BC a new empire took control of Mesopotamia BabyloniaBabylonia Reached its height during the reign of King HammurabiReached its height during the reign of King Hammurabi

The Babylonian Empire Hammurabi’s Code:Hammurabi’s Code: 1 st known code of law1 st known code of law Stressed responsible behaviorStressed responsible behavior Capital punishmentCapital punishment

“an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”“an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” Punishments based on SOCIAL CLASSPunishments based on SOCIAL CLASS Laws focused on ALL aspects of societyLaws focused on ALL aspects of society The Babylonian Empire