The Ancient Middle East and Egypt 3200 B
The Ancient Middle East and Egypt (3200 B. C-500 B. C) Lesson 1 A Civilization Emerges in Sumer
The Ancient Middle East and Egypt (3200 B. C-500 B. C) Lesson 1 A Civilization Emerges in Sumer Learning Objectives • Understand how geography influenced the development of civilization in the Fertile Crescent. • Outline the main features of Sumerian civilization. • Explain how the advances in learning made by the Sumerians left a lasting legacy for later peoples to build on.
The Ancient Middle East and Egypt (3200 B. C-500 B. C) Lesson 1 A Civilization Emerges in Sumer Key Terms • Fertile Crescent, - LAND BETWEEN THE TWO RIVERS/ MESOPOTAMIA • Mesopotamia, - ANOTHER NAME FOR ANCIENT IRAQ- LAND BETWEEN TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES • Sumer- SITE OF FIRST CIVILIZATION • The Epic of Gilgamesh- A SUMERIAN ORAL POEM ABOUT A KING AND A FLOOD • Hierarchy- SOCIAL LEVELS • Ziggurat- A SUMERIAN TEMPLE WHICH IS PYRAMID SHAPED • Cuneiform- SUMERIAN FORM OF WRITING- WORLD’S FIRST
Civilizations Arise in the Fertile Crescent A desert climate dominates the land between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea, yet a number of early civilizations arose here. The region of the Middle East is called the Fertile Crescent, named for its rich soils and golden wheat fields. Over time, nomadic herders, ambitious invaders, and traders easily overcame the region’s few natural barriers. As a result, the region became a crossroads where people and ideas met and mingled. This region is often referred to as the “cradle of civilization. ” Many of the earliest human civilizations developed in this river valley region because of the availability of water and other agricultural resources.
Civilizations Arise in the Fertile Crescent • Sumerians Overcome Environmental Challenges • • • TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES FLOODED A LOT AND CAUSED DESTRUCTION EPIC OF GILGAMESH ALSO TALKS ABOUT A GIANT FLOOD OTHER DANGERS FACED INCLUDE DROUGHTS AND DISEASE • • THEY OVERCAME THESE ISSUES BY CREATING A COMPLEX SYSTEM OF IRRIGATION WHICH LED TO A WELL ORGANIZED GOVERNMENT • IRRRIGATION INVOLVES BUILDING DITCHES, CANALS, AND DAMS TO REROUTE WATER TO PLACES IT IS NEEDED. • Sumerian City-States • SUMER DEVELOPED CITY STATES- A CITY AND SURROUNDING COUNTRY SIDE • UR URUK WERE EXAMPLES OF CITY STATES
Civilizations Arise in the Fertile Crescent Analyze Maps A series of early civilizations arose between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, called Mesopotamia. What natural features may have limited the expansion of these civilizations?
Civilizations Arise in the Fertile Crescent Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, sought eternal life and obtained the plant of youth. However, a snake ate it, which, according to the legend, is why people do not live forever.
Sumerian Civilization Develops/ CITY STATE RELATIONS Within a few hundred years of its beginning, Sumer included at least 12 separate city-states. Rival citystates often battled for control of land water. For protection, people turned to war leaders. Over time, the practice of rule by war leaders evolved into hereditary rule. This resulted in the formation of monarchies. A monarchy is a government in which one person has complete authority to rule in peacetime and to lead soldiers in wartime.
Sumerian Civilization Develops • Sumerian Government- Mostly a monarchy where a king ruled over the people/ priests also held power • Sumerian Society- Sumerians had social classes with the king and priests at the top, nobles, then scribes, farmers, and slaves at the bottom.
• Sumerian Religion – polythestic – deified forces of nature- worshipped idolssacrificed to their gods- Basis of civilization • Sumerian Writing- cuneiform- wedge shaped writing where symbols made on wet clay using a stylus.
Sumerian Civilization Develops The first war in recorded history took place between Sumer and Elam in 2700 B. C. War was an important factor in the creation of states and empires throughout ancient Mesopotamia.
Sumerian Civilization Develops Analyze Information What does the information on the chart indicate about how Sumerian society supported itself?
Sumerian Civilization Develops Analyze Information How did cuneiform writing allow Sumerians to communicate more effectively?
Sumer’s Legacy Beginning around 2500 B. C. , armies of conquering peoples swept across Mesopotamia and overwhelmed the Sumerian city-states. By 1900 B. C. , the Sumerian civilization had been replaced by other civilizations and empires.
Sumer’s Legacy • • • Language and Culture Astronomy and Mathematics Technology
Sumer’s Legacy Analyze Information The Sumerians influenced later civilizations. What were some of its technological legacies?
Sumer’s Legacy The Standard of Ur is a small wooden panel covered on both sides with mosaics composed of stones and jewels. This image shows a banquet scene with the king and his servants.
Quiz: Civilizations Arise in the Fertile Crescent How did geography influence the development of civilizations in the Fertile Crescent? A. The region’s location on trade routes between Egypt and Persia led to development of great cities. B. The Nile River offered excellent irrigation and transportation. C. Rich soil and the Tigris and Euphrates rivers created fertile land for farming. D. Numerous forests and stone quarries made it easy to build large cities.
Quiz: Sumerian Civilization Develops Which best describes the three levels of Sumerian society? A. rulers, officials, and priests; lesser priests, scribes, merchants, and artisans; peasant farmers B. priests; rulers and government officials; merchants, artisans, and peasant farmers C. the king; priests; officials, scribes, merchants, artisans, and farmers D. high priest and king; officials; merchants and peasants
Quiz: Sumer’s Legacy How did Sumerian culture spread throughout Mesopotamia? A. B. C. D. from traders and adaptation by succeeding rulers from cuneiform tablets and monarchs from traders and hieroglyphic tablets from succeeding rulers and word of mouth from soldiers
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