Early CivilizationIn the

Fertile Crescent

CivilizationIt refers to the society, culture

and way of life in a particular area.

Fertile Crescent

It is an area that is rich in resources and is shaped like

a crescent as to why it iscalled Fertile Crescent.

Fertile Crescent

PROS It is rich in natural resources. It is on the crossroads of

Asia, Europe, and Africa therefore it is a good place for trade and commerce.

The contact among other people led to an exchange of ideas that brought about great achievements.

CONS

It has few natural barriers making it often overrun by invaders.

There is a diversity of the people in the region, making it difficult to unite under one ruler.

Why is it called “The Cradle of Civilization”?

It is called the Cradle of Civilization because it is believed that Mesopotamia is the first place where civilized society truly began to

take shape.

MESOPOTAMIAA part of the Fertile Crescent.It is now known as Iraq.Its terrain made it attractive to neighboring

places and its lack of natural barriers made it easy for invaders to attack.

It is the land between the rivers of the Euphrates and the Tigris.

It is situated between Zagros and Anti-Taurus Mountains in the north, and the Arabian Plateau and the Persian Gulf in the south.

MESOPOTAMIA

People who lived in Southern Mesopotamia.

They were farmers and city builders.They were highly creative people who

made lasting contributions to humanity.

SUMERIANS

The Sumerians were divided into the so-called “Independent City-States.”

SUMERIANSINDEPENDENT CITY-STATES

Reason:Since rainfall is sparse, Sumerians dug canals:

1. To control the Spring Floods of the Tigris and Euphrates

2. And to irrigate the landThey built cities along the rivers and

tributaries causing each city to be isolated and therefore becoming an independent city-state.

INDEPENDENT CITY-STATES

It is a name used to call the temple.It is a massive tower that dominated the city.It is built for the different gods of each city-

state.Although the priests owned a lot of territory,

they did not rule over the city.

SUMERIANSZIGGURATS

Their ruler was called “King.”Kings are also their war-leaders.Originally, Kings are elected, but due to

frequent wars between two city-states, it became hereditary.

SUMERIANSRULERS

It is their system of writing.Cuneiform means “wedge-shaped” because

of the shape and the marks made by the stylus.

SUMERIANSCUNEIFORM

First people known to use a wheel.First people to invent writing. Invention of Mathematical Ideas such as

“Sexagisimal”, which is the division of the hour to 60 min, and a minute into 60 seconds.

Invention of the plow.They invented the 12 months Calendar.They were the first to use arches, columns and

inclined walls.

SUMERIANSACHIEVEMENTS

Invader: Akkad CityTime: 2500 BCE

Ruler: Sargon Effect: The Sumerian Civilization ceased to

exist, but their achievements left a lasting contribution to human society.

SUMERIANSTHE INVASION

A city North of Mesopotamia.

Sargon founded the empire.

It is the first empire to be recorded in history.

Akkadian Empire

Who is Sargon?

Sargon was once a soldierHe founded the Akkadian Empire.He proclaimed himself as: “Lord of the Four Quarters of the World”

Akkadian Empire

Accomplishments of King Sargon:

Extended the irrigation system.Extended the flood control of Mesopotamia.Protected trade caravans with his armies.

Akkadian Empire

Akkadian Empire Way of Writing: Cuneiform Same Religion Sam Scientific Ideas Same Political Ideas

Sumerian Civilization Way of Writing: Cuneiform Same Religion Same Scientific Ideas Same Political Ideas

Akkadian Empire

REASON:

Akkadians and Sumerianshave the same ideas,

way of writing, and religionbecause Akkadians adopted

the Sumerian Way of Life.

Later rulers lacked Good leading abilitiesCausing the empire to

Fall into civil war.

Accomplishments:Reunited the Akkadian Empire for a brief period of time.He compiled the First Known code of laws summarizing the Sumerian ideas of justice.

King Ur-Nammu

INVADER: A group called the Amorites later known as the Babylonian Empire.

RULER: King HammurabiTIME: Around 2000 BCE

INVASION OFTHE AKKADIAN EMPIRE:

Babylonian Empire was once a group called the Amorites.

They built a small village called Babylon.Soon, the village grew magnificent and

powerful.They built a giant ziggurat for their Chief

Babylonian god, Marduk.

EARLY HISTORYOF THE BABYLONIAN EMPIRE

KING HAMMURABIHe came from Syria.He united the Southern Mesopotamia under

his rule.He was one of the great rulers of ancient

times.He created the famous, CODE OF HAMMURABI.

BABYLONIAN EMPIRE

KING HAMMURABIHe was an outstanding general.He was the Patron of the Arts.He was an able Administrator.

BABYLONIAN EMPIRE

An Eight-foot column of black stone.It is filled with writings of Code of Laws.Contains: 282 Laws about trade, family labor,

real estate, and personal property.Principle: “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

BABYLONIAN EMPIREHAMMURABI’SCODE OF LAWS

“To cause justice to prevail in the land, to destroy the wicked and the evil, to prevent the strong from oppressing the weak, and to further the welfare of the people.”

King Hammurabi’s goalIn creating theCode of Laws:

After the death of Hammurabi,Rebellions and Invasions

Weakened the BabylonianEmpire.

BABYLONIAN EMPIRE

INAVDER: HITTITES

TIME: 1500 BCEEFFECT: THE HITTITES ADOPTED THE

BABYLONIAN WAY OF LIFE AND BROUGHT

IT BACK TO ASIA.

HITTITE EMPIRE

The Hittite Empire adopted theBabylonian way of life

Such as the Babylonian Cuneiform, government and religion.

HITTITE EMPIRE

HITTITE EMPIRE

Hittites were the first to useIron weapons.

They tried to guard the secretOf Iron Working, however,

They still failed and the Technology spread to other

Nations.

DIFFERENT IRON TOOLS:

THE HITTITES BROUGHTABOUT THE IRON AGE

DUE TO THEIRDISCOVERY OFIRON SPEARS.

INVADER: ASSYRIAN EMPIRETIME: AROUND 1200 BCEEFFECT: THE MOST HATED AND

BRUTAL INVADER OF MESOPOTAMIA CAME TO POWER.

FALL OF THE HITTITE EMPIRE

It was once a city-state named after their chief god, Assur.

They invaded people after people until they had an empire that included the entire Fertile Crescent and Egypt.

They also possessed a highly disciplined army.

Assyrian Empire

“I CUT OFF THEIR HEADS,AND LIKE HEAPS OF GRAIN,I PILED THEM UP”

- Assyrian Ruler

Assyrian Empire

The empire was divided into provinces each ruled by a Governor.

Assyrian Empire

They alsoBuilt roadsTo speedThe movementOf the armyFrom provinceTo province.

Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire.

It is where the first library is located.It was built with the taxes collected from the

people.

Assyrian EmpireNineveh

The Assyrian Empire was the one who built the first library in history.

It houses 22,000 clay tablets written in cuneiform.

The Library was tasked to organize and preserve valuable records.

Assyrian EmpireLibrary

Reasons as to why the Assyrian Empire declined:

The troublesome people were deported into the remote parts of the empire leading to an exchange of ideas among the oppressed and conquered people of the Fertile Crescent causing a rebellion to occur.

The Fall of theAssyrian Empire

REBELS: Oppressed peopleMedes and Chaldean Empire

TIME: Around 612 BCE