DO NOW Mesopotamia Video – Notes Review for TEST Thursday September 26 Friday September 27

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Mesopotamia Study Guide Mesopotamians (Sumerians) all relied on floods for a good harvest Sumerians first written symbols were pictographs Cuneiform was developed by Sumerians Phoenicians are given credit for our English Alphabet According to Sumerians, each city-state was ruled by its own gods

In the Babylonian culture, Hammurabi’s Code was used to govern society. Hammurabi’s Code of laws were important to Sumerian society because these laws included the corresponding punishment Hammurabi’s Code listed 282 laws that were important because they were displayed for the public Mesopotamia Study Guide

Review notes from Mesopotamia to prepare for the Unit Test- TH/F Review study guide packets Bring Completed Study Guide foldable Sleep early! Eat a good breakfast! Homework

Rivers made agriculture possible Challenges included floods, drought, and lack of resources “The Land Between Two Rivers” Tigris and Euphrates Geography

Sumerians developed the first writing system Pictographs- “picture writing” Cuneiform – wedge shaped symbols Achievements

Irrigation helped provide a steady source of water for crops Sumerians invented the wheel and the plow Achievements

Sumerians worshipped many gods The temple was called a ziggurat Polytheistic – believed in many gods. Poly means “more than one.” Religion

City-states were the form of government throughout Sumer First, priests ruled in Sumer. Later, powerful men became kings Politics

Trade with other city-states Food surpluses, new technology, and advanced social organization led to a complex way of life called civilization Specialized workers means they can do a job that has special skills Cities are crowded- people must learn to live and work together Economy

Social classes in Mesopotamia was divided into several social groups Unequal classes Class systems define who has power and who does the less desirable jobs Upper- kings and priests- had a link to the gods Middle- free people Lower- slaves Social Structure