Early River Valley Civilizations 3500 B.C. – 450 B.C. Chapter 2

City-States in Mesopotamia Chapter 2 Section 1

Objective Students will know the characteristics of Mesopotamian society.

Between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers was a fertile plain known as Mesopotamia. Every year the rivers would flood, and provide Mesopotamia with a rich new soil. Farmers were able to plant rich harvests of wheat and barley.

Environmental Challenges Until about 100 years ago, the history of the Sumerian people was lost. Since we have found them, we have slowly been piecing together what life was like for these people. The Sumerians moved into the Southern Mesopotamia around 3500 B.C.

There were three problems for the Sumerians.

1 st was that it was impossible to predict when the rivers would flood.

2 nd was that the region of Sumer was small and it was difficult to defend.

3 rd natural resources were limited. The plains of the southern Mesopotamia were not loaded with stone, wood, or metal. Things the Sumerians needed to make buildings and tools.

Creating Solutions To solve the 1 st problem the Sumerians discovered that by digging irrigation ditches they could divert water from the rivers to water their crops.

To solve the 2 nd problem of protecting their village, the Sumerians built walls around their city with mud bricks.

To solve the 3 rd problem of natural resources the Sumerians began to trade grain, cloth, and crafted tools for the things they needed.

By 3000 B.C., the Sumerians had built several cities. Each of the cities was surrounded by fields of wheat and barley. They each had their own ruler and government. Each city and its surrounding lands became known as a city-states.By 3000 B.C., the Sumerians had built several cities. Each of the cities was surrounded by fields of wheat and barley. They each had their own ruler and government. Each city and its surrounding lands became known as a city-states.

They basically operated the same as an independent country would. Sumerian city-states; Uruk, Kish, Lagash, Eridu, and NippurThey basically operated the same as an independent country would. Sumerian city-states; Uruk, Kish, Lagash, Eridu, and Nippur

The Priests ran the first cities. The people believed that they were in contact with the gods, who controlled the rain, which watered their crops.The Priests ran the first cities. The people believed that they were in contact with the gods, who controlled the rain, which watered their crops.

This changed as the cities began to wage war against one another. Strong warrior leaders emerged and took charge. These military leaders became full time leaders or monarchs. When these rulers would die they would turn the power over to their sons.

A series of rulers from a single family is called a dynasty.

By 2500 B.C. cities all over the Fertile Crescent had emerged.By 2500 B.C. cities all over the Fertile Crescent had emerged. Trade between the cities flourished, and new ideas such as religious beliefs were exchanged.Trade between the cities flourished, and new ideas such as religious beliefs were exchanged. The process of a new idea or product spreading from one culture to another is called cultural diffusion.The process of a new idea or product spreading from one culture to another is called cultural diffusion.

ReligionReligion The Sumerians believed that different gods controlled different aspects of nature.The Sumerians believed that different gods controlled different aspects of nature. The belief in many gods is called polytheism.The belief in many gods is called polytheism.

The Sumerians believed in over 3000 gods.The Sumerians believed in over 3000 gods.

To make the gods happy the people built mighty ziggurats to appease them. Here they would offer sacrifices such as babies, animals, wine, and food.

In the poem the Epic of Gilgamesh, the beliefs and concerns of the Sumerian people are expressed throughout the heroic adventures of the legendary life of King Gilgamesh. In the poem Gilgamesh is unsuccessful at obtaining immortality. The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the earliest works of literature in the world.

In the 1850’s, the royal libraries of Nineveh were discovered by archeologists. The Epic of Gilgamesh was found to be 3600 years old. In the climax of the story there is a great flood that parallels that of the one found in the biblical story Noah’s ArcIn the 1850’s, the royal libraries of Nineveh were discovered by archeologists. The Epic of Gilgamesh was found to be 3600 years old. In the climax of the story there is a great flood that parallels that of the one found in the biblical story Noah’s Arc

Life in the Sumerian Society Priests and Kings made up the highest levels of society Wealthy merchants were next Slaves were at the bottom of society

Most of the slaves were captured in battles. Some children became slaves when there poor parents sold them to repay debts. Some slaves could earn their freedom if they were good workers.

Women in Sumer Sumerian women could have many of the same jobs that men had (ex. Merchants, farmers, artisans). Women could own property.

Women in Sumer They could even be low level priests. Scholars don’t believe girls were given the chance to read and write.

Science and Technology Sumerians invented the wheel, sail, and plow. They were the first to use bronze. First to develop a system of writing.

Science and Technology Cuneiform tablets have been found to be as old as 2300 B.C. Some of the tablets talk about astronomy, chemical substances, and symptoms of diseases.

Science and Technology The Sumerians came up with arithmetic and geometry to figure out how to build city walls, buildings, and irrigation systems.

Architecture Arches Columns Ramps Pyramids

Babylonian Empire Around 2000 B.C., a group called the Amorites invaded Mesopotamia. They overwhelmed the Sumerians and established a capital at Babylon.

Babylonian Empire The Babylonian Empire reached its zenith during the reign of Hammurabi, 1792 to 1750 B.C. He is famous for his code of laws.

Hammurabi’s Code Other cities had developed laws, but Hammurabi’s was one code for all the people to follow. His code of laws was put in stone and passed out throughout his empire.

Hammurabi’s Code Hammurabi’s code of laws had 282 laws dealing with community, family relations, business conduct, and crime. There were different punishments for the rich and poor, and men and women.

An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth was in place for many crimes. If criminals were not caught, the government would try and compensate the victim for his loss. If a child strikes his father his hand shall be cut off.

After two centuries the Babylonian Empire began to fall to Nomadic warriors.