Hammurabis Code of Laws These laws were written
Hammurabi’s Code of Laws These laws were written on a stone monument called a stele (steel-ee)
Mesopotamian Contributions Open your book to page 55. WHY is Mesopotamia called the “cradle of civilization? ”
*Give a general, overview reason: The people of Mesopotamia developed so many new ideas. AND… These ideas influenced other civilizations.
Now open your book to pages 63 -64, and let’s read for specific details.
1. Cuneiform • A writing system that developed to keep track of business deals and trading. • A series of wedge shapes “written” on damp clay tablets. • It became the model for other writing systems.
2. Hammurabi’s Code of Law • world’s 1 st WRITTEN laws • became the basis for all other laws; innocent until proven guilty • Laws for people to live by • Harsh punishments = “an eye for an eye” justice
Innovations that made life easier. 3. The Wheel: • Improved transportation on land. 4. The Plow: • Farmers could grow more food with less effort. 5. The Sailboat: • Replaced muscle power with wind power and made water transportation easier.
Keeping Track of Things! 6. 12 Month Calendar: • Based on the cycles of the moon. • Influenced the way later civilizations kept track of time. 7. Water Clock: • Helped keep accurate daily time.
8. Number System Based on 60: • Our number system is based on 10, BUT the Sumerian number system influenced us with: • 60 seconds in a minute • 60 minutes in an hour • 360° in a circle
Now complete the STOP activity Why is Mesopotamia called the cradle of civilization? (*give the general reason) What do you think are three most important contributions the people of Mesopotamia gave to the world? Be sure to give reasons for your three choices.
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