Ancient Sumer

Geography  The World’s first civilization Sumer, developed in Mesopotamia “ land between the rivers.”  Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Sumer was known for its rich soils and golden wheat fields.  Flooding was a problem.  The Sumerians built dikes and irrigation ditches to water their fields and protect their homes.

Civilization  The Sumerians used clay and water to build their cities.  Besides farming, trade was the main focus of their economy.  Trade goods have been found in places as far away as Egypt and India.  Within a few hundred years of its beginning, Sumer included at least 12 separate city-states.

 Each city-state had a single ruler who ran the city.  Social order-1.Ruling Family, 2.Leading Officials and Priests, 3.Scribes,Merchants, and artisans,4.Farmers,5. Slaves.  Women had less status than men but female gods were highly honored.  The Sumerians worshipped many gods and each city had a ziggurat, a big temple in the middle of the city.

Writing  By 3200 B.C., Sumerians had invented cuneiform.  It grew out of pictographs used to record goods brought to temple storehouses.  As time went on, the Sumerians used it to record myths, prayers, laws, and business contracts.  Sumerian Scribes went through years of difficult schooling to acquire their skills.

Legacy  Their accomplishments:  1.Number system based on an hour being 60 minutes and a circle being 360 degrees.  2.The beginnings of basic algebra and geometry.  3.An accurate calendar  4. Writing System and the wheel  5.Eclipses of the Sun and Moon.  6.Oldest Story-The Epic of Gilgamesh

World Response  Why did the Egyptians place so much emphasis on the preparation for the afterlife? Give me your opinion. (1-2 paragraphs)  html html html  What types of information about Ancient Egypt can we learn from colossal monuments such as the Steppe Pyramid or the Great Pyramid of Gaza? (1-2 paragraphs)

The Old Kingdom B.C.  The era of the Pyramids  The Pharaohs(kings) established a strong, centralized state.  The Pharaohs ruled by means of a bureaucracy.  The vizier was the Pharaohs chief minister and gave instructions to thousands of scribes.  Social Order: 1. Pharaoh 2. Nobles 3. Merchants and Scribes 4. Peasants (most of the population)  Crop Failures, Power struggles, and cost of building of the Pyramids brought an end to the Old Kingdom.  ancient-egypt.html ancient-egypt.html ancient-egypt.html

The Middle Kingdom B.C.  An era of Chaos  Egypt had problems with food and nobles who wanted more power.  Egypt did end the privileges of nobles, expanded its borders, and established trade contacts with people outside of Egypt.  In 1700 B.C., Egypt was conquered by the Hyksos.  After 100 years of rule, the Egyptians drove out the Hyksos.

½ Response  What do you think was Ancient Egypt’s greatest accomplishment and why?

The New Kingdom B.C.  Egypt at the height of its power  Powerful rulers like Thutmose III and Ramses II expanded Egypt’s borders and made it a great empire.  Main rival was the Hittites with whom Egypt made the world’s first known peace treaty with in 1258 B.C.  Egypt slowly declined after 1100 B.C. and was conquered many times.  Last Egyptian rulers were replaced by the Greeks in 323 B.C.  The Romans officially ended Egyptian culture when they took over in 30 B.C.

India and China  Both lands have had advanced civilizations that lasted for thousands of years.  Both lands represent Eastern Civilization (we are Western Civilization).  These lands have always had a larger population base.  The people have completely different outlooks on life then we do.  Both lands are growing economically today.

Religions and Philosophies of India and China Foldable  I. Hinduism pg (list 7 things)  II. Buddhism pg (list 10 things)  III. Confucianism pg (list 8 things)  IV. Daoism pg.98 (list 5 things)  Need five areas with the title page as named above.