Mesopotamia First of the River Valley Civilizations is

Mesopotamia

• First of the River Valley Civilizations is Mesopotamia in the Middle East – Part of Turkey, Syrian, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Israel, etc. • Fertile Crescent—Arc between Persian Gulf -> Mediterranean • Includes Mesopotamia—“land between the rivers”—a fertile plain • Tigris and Euphrates rivers flood once a year, leaving rich soil – Hunter gatherers took note of the flooding patterns of the rivers – As people began to figure out the growth cycle of crops, they realized that the rivers could be relied to provide nutrients and water for their crops The Fertile Crescent

Sumerian City. States • 3000 B. C. - Sumerians built cities surrounded by fields of crops – The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flow regularly – can be relied on for continued agriculture – Later on, the rivers help facilitate trade among the city states and other societies • Each is a city-state—an independent unit • The city states are Controlled by priests initially, before power is placed in the hands of kings – They were thought to have direct communion with the gods

Solving Problems • People built irrigation ditches - control water (flooding) – outside of the Fertile Crescent was desert • Built walled cities for defense – the valley was really a flat plain which made invasions by enemies easier • Traded for raw materials—stone, wood, metal – the desert offers few resources, so the Sumerians had to sell their crops to get their raw materials

Sumerian City States (Cont. ) • Governments used to be controlled by temple priests • Ruled from the temples mostly – were thought to be in direct communion with the gods • Farmers believed their harvests depended on the gods’ favor – relied on the priests to pray for their success • Military commanders would temporarily take control during times of war – what did priests know of defending cities/fighting armies? • Around 2500 B. C. , Military rulers took power from the priests -> made themselves kings - established complete control over the city-states – No longer took turns sharing power with the priests – made them to stay in the temples – Established dynasties—series of rulers from a single family • Wanted to ensure that power stayed with their sons, grandsons, etc. – Made alliances, negotiated trade deals with other city states, created laws for their people, etc. (like a president!

• Sumerian Religion Polytheism – Sumerians believe in many different gods – Most common form of belief system for thousands of years • Sumerians Believed that the gods controlled forces of nature – can turn against humans Ex. Gilgamesh refused to marry a goddess, so she cursed his friend Enkidu to die That’s why it was so important to pray to the gods of the rains, rivers, earth, etc. – they were vital to the growth of crops • Life after death is gloomy – people would walk around in a foggy, dark, damp place for eternity – Underworld was literally a short distance below the earth – “The house which none leaves who enters” (“Dust is on the door”)

“Irkalla” / Ereshkigal – goddess of the Underworld

Sumerian Science and Technology • Within the span of about 1500 years, Sumerians invent the wheel, sail, and plow; first to use bronze • Make advances in arithmetic – created a number system. Also identified plants/substances used to treat ailments - Created number system based on 60 • Develop arches, columns, and pyramids for building – especially the ziggurats in the city centers • Have complex System of writing— Cuneiform – earliest form of writing

Hammurabi of Babylon • Empire peaked during Hammurabi’s rule (1792 -1750 B. C. ) – Inherited kingship from his father, Sin-Mubalit who was sickly and couldn’t rule anymore – Tried to live peacefully with his neighbors which were larger city states such as Eshunna, Elam and Larsa – Elam attacked Eshunna, and Hammurabi made an alliance with Larsa to crush Elam – Larsa didn’t help much against Elam, so Hammurabi Conquered Larsa, Elam and Eshunna city-states as well – Created (arguably) the first

Hammurabi’s Code • Hammurabi’s Code: Set of laws for the empire – Hammurabi’s lasting contribution was his set of 282 laws that he established in his empire (his Code) – His laws were etched into stone in every city under his control – Set different punishments depending on social class and gender • Principle: Punishment is equal to the crime

The Fertile Crescent (pgs. 33 of the Strayer (Green) Book) Directions: 1. Label the map/find the terms using page 33 of the green book 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 2. Draw to show where mountain ranges are 3. Use three colors to color the map: • 1 for land • 2 for water • 3 for the Fertile Crescent 4. Answer the questions on the back using your map notes/compass rose notes 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Terms Turkey Anatolia Iran Iraq Egypt Syria Caucasus Mountains Zagros Mountains Syrian Desert Halys River Araxes River Jordan River Nile River Tigris River Euphrates River Palestine Cyprus Red Sea Persian Gulf Mediterrane an Sea Dead Sea Mesopotam ia Arabian Desert Syrian Desert Abu Hureya Ain Ghazal

Map/Directions Questions!!! (Make sure to look at page 33!) • Turkey is ______ of Iran. • The Arabian Desert is ______ of the Caucasus Mountains • Palestine is ______ of Iraq. • The Euphrates River is ______ of the Tigris River. • The Red Sea is ______ of the Caspian Sea. • Gobleki Tepe is ______ of Ain Ghazal.

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