Mesopotamia Geography

Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia means: “land between two rivers” Mesopotamia means: “land between two rivers” Civilization developed between the Euphrates and the Tigris Rivers Civilization developed between the Euphrates and the Tigris Rivers By 3000 B.C. a number of cities are established by the Sumerians By 3000 B.C. a number of cities are established by the Sumerians

Role of the Environment Created in a region that agriculture is possible- IMPORTANCE? Created in a region that agriculture is possible- IMPORTANCE? Irrigation and drainage possible- HOW? Irrigation and drainage possible- HOW? Forced people to work together and formed communities Forced people to work together and formed communities

Role of the Environment Rivers supplied basics for existence Rivers supplied basics for existence food food water water sanitation sanitation Also provided for shelter Also provided for shelter How? How? basics of building? basics of building?

Role of the Environment Problems with living near a river valley? Problems with living near a river valley? Destroyed by frequent floods that ravaged entire cities Destroyed by frequent floods that ravaged entire cities restrained political development (Sumer was a geographical maze) restrained political development (Sumer was a geographical maze) Communication amongst the various isolated cities was very difficult Communication amongst the various isolated cities was very difficult

Invention of Writing Origins of Writing probably go back to the ninth millennium B.C. Origins of Writing probably go back to the ninth millennium B.C. 4th millennium- realized that drawing tokens was easier than making tokens 4th millennium- realized that drawing tokens was easier than making tokens Result was the development of cuneiform: Result was the development of cuneiform: “wedge-shaped” “wedge-shaped” pictographic system pictographic system

Cuneiform

Sumerian Society Sumer was different from all other earlier civilizations Sumer was different from all other earlier civilizations Advanced cities Advanced cities Specialized workers Specialized workers Complex institutions Complex institutions Record keeping Record keeping Advanced technology Advanced technology Developed city-states Developed city-states Food surplus increased population expanded trade expansion of Sumerian society Food surplus increased population expanded trade expansion of Sumerian society

Sumerian Society Polytheistic Polytheistic Wrote myths (Epic of Gilgamesh) Wrote myths (Epic of Gilgamesh) Had social classes Had social classes Priests and kings were at the top Priests and kings were at the top Slaves were at the bottom Slaves were at the bottom Women probably couldn’t attend school but had many other rights Women probably couldn’t attend school but had many other rights Advances in mathematics Advances in mathematics Number system based on 60 (60 seconds=1 minute) Number system based on 60 (60 seconds=1 minute)

Sumerian Inventions Wagon wheel Wagon wheel Potter’s wheel (shape containers) Potter’s wheel (shape containers) Number system Number system 12 month calendar 12 month calendar Metal plow Metal plow Sail Sail Some of the earliest known maps Some of the earliest known maps New architecture New architecture

From Sumerians to Babylonians The Sumerian city-states eventually fell to foreign invaders (2000s BC) The Sumerian city-states eventually fell to foreign invaders (2000s BC) The Akkadians: The Akkadians: Semites- nomadic people from the Arabian Peninsula that migrated to Mesopotamia Semites- nomadic people from the Arabian Peninsula that migrated to Mesopotamia Sargon I ( BC) unites all Mesopotamian cities (creates first empire) Sargon I ( BC) unites all Mesopotamian cities (creates first empire) Under Sargon I Under Sargon I Akkadians adopted Sumerian religion Akkadians adopted Sumerian religion Akkadians adopted Sumerian farming Akkadians adopted Sumerian farming

Babylonian Empire Amorites ( BC) Amorites ( BC) Located in modern day Syria Located in modern day Syria Conquered many parts of old Sumeria (including Babylon) Conquered many parts of old Sumeria (including Babylon) Hammurabi--created a law code with harsh punishments Hammurabi--created a law code with harsh punishments Borrowed heavily from Sumerian culture Borrowed heavily from Sumerian culture After Hammurabi’s death Babylon declined After Hammurabi’s death Babylon declined

Hittites Began to conquer Asia Minor (2000 BC) Began to conquer Asia Minor (2000 BC) A strong army with chariots A strong army with chariots Conquered Babylon in 1595 BC) Conquered Babylon in 1595 BC) Borrowed from Mesopotamian and Egyptian culture Borrowed from Mesopotamian and Egyptian culture Had a law code less harsh than Hammurabi’s Had a law code less harsh than Hammurabi’s Lasted until about 1200 BC Lasted until about 1200 BC

Assyrians Started to gain strength about 900 BC Started to gain strength about 900 BC Powerful army Powerful army Treated conquered people cruelly Treated conquered people cruelly Large empire with good roads Large empire with good roads Collapsed about 612 BC Collapsed about 612 BC

Chaldeans Defeated the Assyrains in about 612 BC Defeated the Assyrains in about 612 BC Descended from Hammarabi’s Babylonians Descended from Hammarabi’s Babylonians At its height during the rule of Nebuchadnezzar ( BC) At its height during the rule of Nebuchadnezzar ( BC) Spent a lot of money on Babylon Spent a lot of money on Babylon Built Hanging Gardens Built Hanging Gardens Empire collapsed in 539 BC after being defeated by the Persians Empire collapsed in 539 BC after being defeated by the Persians

The Hanging Gardens

Persians Were Indo-Europeans Were Indo-Europeans Cyrus (conquered from the Nile to the Indus) Cyrus (conquered from the Nile to the Indus) Darius I Darius I Administered the empire using satraps (governors) Administered the empire using satraps (governors) Tolerant to those who were conquered Tolerant to those who were conquered Increased trade and built roads Increased trade and built roads Lost to the Greeks in 480 BC Lost to the Greeks in 480 BC