1. Civilization

2. What is civilization?
Complex society with several pieces to the puzzle.
cities, government, art, religion, class division, writing system, and job specialization.
One part missing- NO CIVILIZATION

3. The Birth of Civilization
Mesopotamia- flat plain between the Tigris and Euphrates
Civilizations began here because of the rivers and the fertile soil.
This area is known as:
The Fertile Crescent
Land b/n 2 rivers
Cradle of Western Civilization

4. I. Cities Many cities formed in the southern region known as Sumer.
City-states: each with their own government.
They fought for land and water.
City walls were built for protection.
Ur, Babylon, Nineveh, and Uruk were some of the first City-States.

5. II. Government
The first Governments in Sumer were similar to Dictatorships.
Rulers were usually whoever was the most powerful warrior.
The Ruler would also be the head of the army
Each City-State had it’s own ruler and it’s own army.

6. III. Art
Because of Location and certain inventions, people had more time for things like creating art.
Epic- Long poems that tells the story of a hero.
Pottery and vases also became works of art with various designs.

7. IV. Religion Polytheistic religions- belief in many gods
ziggurat- tall temple to honor the gods, each city-state had one.
Ziggurats were the center of each city-state.
Religious leaders
were among the most
powerful in the world.

8. V. Class Division
Social Classes: people hold different places in society depending on the work they do and how much wealth or power they have.
People in Sumer were divided into 3 social classes:
Upper: Kings, priests, gov’t officials
Middle: Artisans, merchants, farmers, fishers
Lower: Enslaved people who were captured from other city-states.

9. VI. Writing System Cuneiform: 1st system of writing in Mesopotamia
Scribes: the only people who were able to read or write.
They had important jobs working for priests or gov’t officials.

10. VII. Job Specialization
Settling in villages allowed people to specialize in one job, not do everything.
Most people farmed
Artisans: Middle class group who were skilled in things like pottery, metalwork, etc.
Also have the beginning of traders and merchants.

11. Inventions of Sumer Writing system- cuneiform Wagon Wheel Sailboat
only a few people, scribes, knew how to write.
Wagon Wheel
Sailboat
Plow
Geometry
12-month calendar