1. Starter Get a textbook from the shelf
Find and label these Civilizations (green) and Rivers (Blue) on your map using the following pgs: 27, 35, 68, 86
Mesopotamia
Egypt
India
China
Tigris River
Euphrates River
Yellow River
Indus River
Nile River
Write and answer the following question on the back: Why was a river valley a good place for a settlement?

2. Vocabulary Polytheistic- having many gods.
City-state- a state with political and economic control over the surrounding countryside.
Ziggurat- a massive stepped tower on which was built a temple dedicated to the chief god or goddess.
Theocracy- government by divine authority.
Cuneiform- “wedge-shaped” form of writing.
Empire- a large political unit or state.
Patriarchal- dominated by men.
Monarchy- ruled by a king or queen
Monotheistic- having one god.

3. Mesopotamia
Location: Fertile Crescent, primarily present-day Iraq, Asia
Rivers: Tigris and Euphrates (Tigris-Euphrates)

4. Mesopotamia
The Ancient Greeks referred to this civilization as Mesopotamia, meaning the land “between the two river.”
Very little rainfall
Instead, the soil became fertile due to silt deposits and the overflow of the river.
Flooding of the rivers was very unpredictable.
They learned to control the waters through irrigation and drainage.
Civilizations of Mesopotamia include many groups, the first being the Sumerians.

5. Religion
Religion was a source for answers as to why things occurred in their world.
They practiced a polytheistic religion meaning they believed in many gods/goddesses.
Religious buildings called ziggurats were in the center of their cities.
Surplus food or materials were often stored in these temples.

6. Government and Cities
The Sumerians developed independent cities in Southern Mesopotamia by 3,000 BC.
City-state: City that becomes its own nation/state.
Sumerian cities were surrounded by walls for protections.
People living inside the city would develop a common identity and work together for survival.
Priests and priestesses held large amounts of power.
Theocracy: type of government in which people believe the ruler(s) has divine authority (right to rule from the gods)
Kings held great power(Absolute Ruler): leading armies, supervising public works, organizing irrigation and farming.

7. Economy
The city-states based their economy on farming, but trade and industry became important as well.
Woolen textiles, pottery, and metalwork became specialties
The invention of the wheel around 3000 BC led to carts making trading of their goods
Traded primarily with the Mediterranean and India.

8. Societal Structure Three classes developed in Society:
Nobles: included priestly officials and their families
Commoners: worked for rulers, farmers (90%), merchants, fishers, and artisans
Slaves belonged to palace officials and were used primarily for building projects

9. Writing and Language Cuneiform (wedge-shaped symbols)
To record information, they use a reed and clay tablets. These tablets baked in the sun to make their message permanent.
The Epic of Gilgamesh, an epic poem, tells the story of a king in search of immortality.

10. Sumerian Inventions Wheel Sundial (time keeping)
First to make bronze tools
Achievements in math and astronomy

11. Code of Hammurabi
Hammurabi, created a new Mesopotamian kingdom (Babylon) by combining city-states.
Hammurabi created one of the earliest law codes known to man.
It outlined relationships between people within the kingdom and explained punishments.
The laws were made public in the center of town so that people would be aware of expectations.
The society became patriarchal (led by men) and women had fewer rights in marriage.
Many of the punishments can be seen as harsh.

12. History and Architecture
Turn in the textbook to page 28
Analyze the image of the Ziggurat at Ur
Write and Answer the following question:
Why do you think priests were the only people permitted to enter the temples?
Why do you suppose Sumerians built temples on top of ziggurats?

13. Code of Hammurabi Activity

14. Turning Point: Hammurabi’s Code
Read the Influence of Hammurabi’s Code on page 32 and answer questions 1-2