Chapter 3 Ancient Mesopotamia Mesopotamia Mesopotamia land between

Chapter 3 Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia

• Mesopotamia – land between 2 rivers (the Tigris and Euphrates). • The river flooded most springs (onto the floodplain – flat land beside the river banks). • Region is semiarid (less than 10 inches a year on average). • Needed irrigation for farming. • Droughts (not enough rain and snowfall for a period) were a danger.

Mesopotamia • Lacking: – Wood, metal and stone – traded grain for these things and more.

Chapter 3. 2 - Civilizations • The fist civilization – advanced form of culture - the region of Sumer (southern Mesopotamia). • 5 traits of Civilizations – Advanced cities – Specialized workers – Complex institutions – Record keeping – Advanced technology

City-States of Sumer • By 3000 B. C. – Sumer had at least 12 city-states (a community with a city and nearby farmlands). • Ur was the hometown of Abraham • City-States – Winding roads – Thick mud walls with tunnels for air. – Houses often had courtyards (where cooking was done)

Ziggarat • City center. • Priests (each “god” had many) – controlled many resources (were paid in grain and stored the excess). - Told people how to please their “gods” • Polytheistic religion (Polytheism is the belief in many gods).

Sumerian Religion • The 4 “main” gods were: – Sky – Wind – Foothills (hills near mountains) – Fresh water • Didn’t believe in a good “after-life” – “land of no return” gloomy place.

King • Kings were people who were highest in rank in an area - (first part time, mainly due to war, then they became full-time. )

3. 2 summary • Sumer had a complex society and culture (Historians consider it the first civilization). • Sumerian city-states were a form of government. • Priests were the first leaders, but kings became leaders when the need for defense grew.

Chapter 3. 3 - Life in Sumer • Social classes. I. King and priests top II. Then Landowners, government officials, and rich merchants. III. All free people – farmers, artisans IV. Slaves (mostly taken as prisoners of war) Slaves had some rights, could do business and borrow money, even buy their freedom.

Women’s roles • Some were priestesses • Some owned land • Could work as merchants, artisans and weavers. • Main role raising children

Science and Technology • Maybe invented the plow (6000 B. C. ) • Invented the potter’s wheel (used the wheel for other things). • Among the first to use bronze a mixture of copper and tin. Stronger than copper so tools stayed sharper longer. • Traded bronze tools.

Math and Writing • Math system based on the number 60. • Due to them we have 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minute in an hour. • Picture writing (pictographs) first. • Cuneiforms – wedge-shaped writing. • 600 symbols • Scribes – specialized in writing.

Written History • First used writing for business dealings. • Later recorded wars, floods, reigns of kings. • Other cultures in Mesopotamia and elsewhere (southwest Asia) adopted cuneiform writing system from Sumerians. • One king had over 24, 000 clay tablets in his library!