I. Mesopotamia –(Greek = land between two rivers) –A. Environment 1. Regions receives limited rain 2. Soil enriched & enlarged by silt deposited by Tigris & Euphrates 3. Late spring floods –a. irregular –b. catastrophic

4. Irregularity caused farming through irrigation & drainage ditches 5. Large scale irrigation = –a. expansion of agriculture –b. abundant food = material base for Mesopotamia

B. Origins of Mesopotamian City-States –1. Sumerians= creators of Mesopotamian culture (origins unclear)

2. By 3000 BCE established independent cities in Southern Mesopotamia: –Eridu –Ur –Uruk –Umma –Lagash

3. Growth of Cities –a. Enabled them to exert poltical & economic control over country side –b. Formed city-sates (basic unit of Sumerian civilization)

B. Characteristics of City- States –1. Surrounded by walls ex: Uruk= occupied aprox. 1,000 acres encircled 6 mile long wall defense towers every 35 ft. 2. Material= mud bricks / sun-dried invented arch & dome

3. Temple- most prominent building in the city a. Dedicated to chief god/ goddess b. Ziggurat- massive stepped temple c. Owned most land & livestock d. Served as physical, political, & economic center

C. Government – –1. Initially a theocracy- government by divine power –2. Eventually- power shared between religious leaders & =kings

3. Kings –a. viewed as divine / power from gods –b. led by armies –c. initiated legislation –d. provided courts –e. supervised building of public works & irrigation

D. Economy –1. Agriculture- primary –2. Commerce / Industry a. woolen textiles b. pottery c. metalwork (esp. known for)

3. Foreign trade ( Royal Monopoly) –a. Imported 1. copper 2. tin 3. aromatic woods 4. fruit trees

–b. Exchanged for 1. dried fish 2. wool 3. barley 4. wheat 5. metal goods

E. Social Organization / 3 Groups –1. Nobles- royal & priestly officials –2. Commoners- clients of nobles that worked for palace, temples, estates, & other free citizens –3. Slaves-belonged to palace officials/ utilized in building projects