Introduction to Mesopotamia Map of Mesopotamia Map of

Introduction to Mesopotamia

Map of Mesopotamia

Map of Mesopotamia Black Sea Caspian Sea Eu ph Mediterranean Sea Nile River Red Sea Tig ris ra te s Fertile Crescent

Geography of Mesopotamia translates as “the land between rivers” The rives being the Tigris and Euphrates Mesopotamia Crescent is part of the Fertile A region that includes modernday Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, the Levant and parts of Turkey

Geography of Mesopotamia is arguably home to the world’s very first civilizations Sometimes it is known as the “Cradle of Civilization” Mesopotamia was home to civilizations such as Sumer, Babylonia, and Assyria

Characteristics of Mesopotamian Civilization Religion: Polytheistic Origins of Philosophy Built ziggurats (religious temples) Mathematics Developed and Astronomy: sexagesmial numeral system (60 minute hour, 24 hour day, 360 degree circle) Developed a 12 month calendar based on the cycles of the moon

Characteristics of Mesopotamian Civilization Culture: Festivals were held once a month Sporting events such as hunting, boxing, and wrestling Most important of all Literature: Men and women were taught to read and write Wrote epic poems (i. e. The Epic of Gilgamesh) Many forms of writing developed

Writing Forms: Pictograms= Earliest form of writings

Writing Forms: Cuneiform= Wedge Sumerian Writing shaped writing

Writing Forms: Alphabet= Phoenicians