Bellringer What are some of the major waterways that surround the Fertile Crescent? (Map on page 28)

Fertile Crescent Map Draw a map of the Fertile Crescent using the majority of the page give to you in pencil Label the rivers, Seas, and other landforms Leave room for the Key Once everything is labeled, show me your map and I will give you colored pencils Map is due on Tuesday

Bellringer Describe the location of Mesopotamia. (Page 30) Vocabulary Quiz Wednesday

Items on Map Black Sea- Zagros Mountains Caucasus Mountains- Euphrates River Asia Minor- Mediterranean Sea Armenian Plateau- Phoenicia Taurus Mountains- Syrian Desert Mesopotamia- Canaan Tigris River- Persian Gulf Arabian Desert- Red Sea * Do NOT forget the KEY

Bellringer Read the first paragraph of Chapter 2-1 on page 29. (Do NOT write this part down) What are three facts about the first schools of Sumer and scribes? (Write down) Put Bellringers in Tray. Put completed maps in the tray. Read Chapter 1 and fill in the notes.

Chapter 2: The Fertile Crescent Section 1: Land Between Two Rivers

The Geographic Setting of the Fertile Crescent The city of Sumer was located in the region of Mesopotamia Mesopotamia had special attractions that drew people to settle there Mesopotamia Rich soil and life-giving rivers People became farmers and city builders Its central location within the ancient world drew many traders Sumer became one of the most prosperous areas of the ancient world

The Location of Mesopotamia Its name describes its location Word Mesopotamia comes from Greek words that mean between the rivers Lies between the Tigris and Euphrates Part of the Fertile Crescent It is in the shape of a crescent moon One of the best places in Southwest Asia for growing crops

Rivers of Life and Death Floods from the mountains bring fertile soil to the area in the spring Floods left top soil; rivers supplied fish; strong reeds used to make boats; and clay for building Floods did not also happen at the same time each year Sometimes the floods would sweep away people, animals, and houses

The First Cities As farming became more successful, communities began to have more food This lead to the building of cities Built many houses, temples, busy shops, royal palace, and high walls to keep out invaders Cities were spread out and each city acted as a state with its own special god or goddess, its own government, and eventually its own king This is why they are called city-states

Tour of a Sumerian City Streets were very narrow that you had a hard time traveling Houses faced away from crowded streets and into courtyards During hot nights, people slept outdoors on their homes’ flat roofs Oil lamps supplied light Clay pipes carried away liquid waste

Sumerian Religion Giant stone buildings in the center of town were called ziggurat- main temples to the gods of the city Made of terraces one on top of the other, linked by ramps and stairs They believed that the gods descended to the Earth using the ziggurat as a ladder People worshipped many gods and goddesses known as polytheism Sumerian myths- stories about gods that explain people’s beliefs, warned that gods would punish people who angered them Myths also promised rewards to people who served the gods well

Section 1 Review 1.What geographic features helped civilization develop in Mesopotamia? Tigris and Euphrates Rivers 2.How did Mesopotamia become a center of trade? Centrally located

Think-Pair-Share Activity Make a T-chart Left side has resources and geographic features to help a city grow Right side has these resources lead to the growth of cities Get at least three by yourself before working with a partner After working with partners, we will share with the class