CIVILIZATION BEGINS IN MESOPOTAMIA Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia

CIVILIZATION BEGINS IN MESOPOTAMIA

Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia - land “between the rivers” Tigris and Euphrates The fertile crescent - Rich soil and abundant crops 3 Major groups of people living there Assyria Akkad Sumerians - (creators of the 1 st Mesopotamian civilization, Sumer).

Mesopotamia/Fertile Crescent

Growth of Religion People looked to religion to answer their questions about life. 3000 gods and goddesses Polytheistic – belief in many gods.

City-States of Ancient Mesopotamia: Sumerian Cities City-states – independently controlled cities within a larger area. City with political & economic control over the surrounding countryside Ur - example Surrounded by walls Defense Mud bricks Built some of the largest brick buildings in the world

City of Ur

City-states of Ancient Mesopotamia: Gods, Goddesses, and Rulers Temples Ziggurat - stepped tower. Believed gods and goddesses owned the cities Theocracy: government ruled by divine authority Priests & priestesses had a ton of power Believed kings were granted their power from the gods

City-states of Ancient Mesopotamia: Economy and Society Contained three major social groups Nobles Commoners Standard of Ur Royal and priestly officials Worked for palace and temple estates Farmers Merchants Fishermen Craftsmen 90%+ were farmers slaves

City-states of Ancient Mesopotamia: Economy and Society Economy based mostly on farming Trade and industry also became important Metalwork, textiles, and pottery Imported copper, tin, and timber Exported fish, wool, barley, wheat and metal goods

The Creativity & Technology Writing and Literature Cuneiform - Wedge-shaped system of writing. Keep Wagon time wheel Transport The goods Epic of Gilgamesh.

Akkadians- Northern Akkadians – Northern peoples of Sumer. Sargon- Famous leader of Akkadians. Took over Sumer. Empire - a large political unit or state.

Babylon – Southern Babylon – city state south of Sumer. Conquered all. Hammurabi – Ruled over all of Mesopotamia, and creator of “The Code of Hammurabi”.

The Code of Hammurabi Based on a system of strict justice Severe penalties for criminals-varied across social classes Believed in “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” Public officials jobs were taken extremely seriously Fined for not finding murders Had to replace stolen goods if burglars were not located Patriarchal – society dominated by men Women had far fewer privileges and rights in marriage than men