1. From City-States to Gilgamesh
Mesopotamia
From City-States to Gilgamesh

2. Essential Questions
How did environment affect the early Mesopotamian civilizations, including culture and technology?
How did the Mesopotamian system of city-states affect technology, culture, and modern Middle East relations ?
How do city-states relate to Civilization?

3. Mesopotamia Land between the rivers (Tigris and Euphrates)
“Fertile Crescent”
Modern day Iraq
Sumer – *1st Civilization

4. The Rise of City-States
City-state = a city with political and economic control over the surrounding area
Huh?
In English = small like a city but has own government, military, economy, and identity (not part of a state or country)
Eridu, Ur, Uruk

5. Building of city-states
Walled cities (made of mud brick)
Why mud brick?
Close to water
Euphrates flooded
Explanation
Angry gods
How do you appease them?

6. Ziggurats
Physical, economic, political, and spiritual center of city-state
Top of ziggurat was a temple
Gods and Goddesses in complete control
Allowed mortals power (kingship was divine (theocracy = gov’t by divine authority)
Uruk dedicated to Ishtar

7. Accomodated Farming Economy based chiefly on farming until…
Trade and industry develop…leads to
Development of technology such as…
Wheel (Wheeled carts for easier transportation) and…
Advanced weapons which leads to…
Warfare and competition

8. Slavery Very common in ancient world (agriculture-based societies)
NOT racially based
In Sumer slaves 1 of 3 social classes
Nobles (kings, priests, priestesses)
Commoners