Ancient Civilizations: Mesopotamia

Geography Fertile Crescent North east of Egypt Good farmland Between the Tigris, Euphrates Rivers

“the cradle of civilization” Lack of natural barriers Frequent migration and invasion Very diverse group of people

Mesopotamia “the land between two rivers” Eastern end of fertile crescent A crossroads where people shared ideas and customs

Sumerian Civilization First civilization in Mesopotamia was Sumer. City –states: political units made up of a city and surrounding land.

City-States Fought each other for land and water War leaders evolved into hereditary rulers

Religion Polytheistic (many gods/ goddesses) Ziggurat: largest building in city-state, temple to city-state’s chief god or goddess

Ziggurat Offered sacrifices of animals, grains, wine Holy day celebrations ceremonies and processions Happy gods/goddesses prosperous city- state

Government Ruler/ Chief servant of the gods responsible for: – Maintaining city walls – Irrigation systems – Leading army – Enforcing laws – Employing Scribes Collect taxes Keep records

Society Social hierarchy- system of ranks

Women in society Role changed over time. Early days mother- goddess honored. Large city-states: warrior leaders and male gods replaced mother-goddess. Could own property and trade.

Contributions to society Cuneiform- wedge-shaped writing

Other contributions First wheeled vehicles Irrigation systems/ dikes/ canals Algebra/geometry Astronomy

Other civilizations of Mesopotamia Assyrians Persians Babylonians Hittites Lydians

Assyrians Upper Tigris region Conquered entire Fertile Crescent Enemies united to destroy, empire collapsed

Persians Ruler- Darius Divided the empire into provinces Built roads- aid travel and communication

Babylonians Powerful ruler- Hammurabi Code of Hammurabi- first major collection of laws in history

Hittites Mined iron ore to produce iron Brought the world into the iron age

Lydians Developed a system of coined money