Mesopotamia Mesopotamia was located between the Euphrates and

Mesopotamia

�Mesopotamia was located between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers in modern day Iraq. �The Mesopotamians used their location in the Fertile Crescent to their advantage by growing crops.

�In Mesopotamia, the people were polytheistic, meaning they believed in multiple gods. �The people worshipped these gods at a ziggurat, which was a temple for worshiping and were also usually the center of cities.

�Created irrigation system �Used bronze �Invented the plow, wheel, sailboat, and the first harp. �Number/writing system known as cuneiform, which was imprinted on clay tablets.

�Early on, the government was controlled by the priests, who were considered to be “in between” the gods and the humans. Later on, men of the city would pick a fighter who would rule during the war. After that, rulers would pass the rule to their sons, creating a monarchy. �Hammarabi’s Code was estatblished

�The economy of Mesopotamia was primarily based on trade. �Trade routes were created between neighboring civilization in which they traded barley and grain in return for metals. �Long distance trade routes were also created.

� Priests and Kings were the highest class in the social structure. � Just below the priests came the rich merchants. � Most citizens were workers and farmers. � The slaves were the lowest class. The slaves worked for the king, the temple, and the wealthy.