1. Civilization: a group of people who have reached an advanced stage of development; sometimes extended to people who did not write and were nomadic, but still created a rich and unique culture
-organized methods of farming
-large population that is settled in towns and cities
-a developed system of writing
-a method of government
-large monuments for their gods and rulers

2. Spiritual Beginnings (p. 16)

3. Middle East is often called the “cradle of civilization” From their interactions, we have the basic elements of civilization: law, commerce, arts, religion, education, and literature

4. River Cultures: Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates -provided water for people, livestock, agriculture -easy travel (promoting commerce and social interaction)

5. Mesopotamia Known as “the land between two rivers”
Between the Tigris & Euphrates
Present day Iraq, Turkey, and Syria
First city arose; city-state
City-State had its own ruler, army, and patron deity
Ziggurat built in its honor

6. Sumerians –recorded history began; invented writing around 3,000 B.C.
Akkadians –unified the city-states of Sumer and unified them; first empire
Babylonians –est. one of the 1st sets of laws; the Code of Hammurabi
Assyrians- ruthless in battle; destroyed the kingdom of Israel
People & Society: upper class, common folk, slaves, and women