A Map of Today’s Major Cities

Why are major cities located near water bodies?

A Map of the Middle East

Middle East WeatherCan you think what type of weather you can

experience in the Middle East?

If you were to live in the Middle East, where in the Middle East would you want to live?

Why?

Ancient Mesopotamia

Geography of MesopotamiaMesopotamia means “the land between the

rivers.”Mesopotamia is a geographic name for the

Tigris and Euphrates River Valleys where the 1st

civilization was formed 5,000 years ago The area is known to have fertile soil that

was great for farming.

Geography of Mesopotamia ContinuedAncient peoples were able to farm in

Mesopotamia because the soil was very fertile and water was plentiful.

People were able to formed small farming communities in the area.

As time went by, these small farming communities grew to large cities

Geography of Mesopotamia ContinuedAs these cities grew the people were able to

assign different tasks to others.

This lead to people creating a specialized jobs within their communities.

As time pass by the communities were able to create a common culture (art, religion, language, etc…)

Geography of Mesopotamia ContinuedOver time the cities went to war with each

other and they were able to formed an empire.

The first Mesopotamian empire is called Sumer.

“Fertile Crescent” and the “Cradle of Civilization” are two different names for Mesopotamia.

The 10 Characteristics of Civilization

In order for a group of people to be called a “civilizations” they first must have 10 characteristics.

Every civilization, in the history of mankind, have these characteristics.

A civilization, must have all 10 characteristics.

The 10 Characteristics of Civilization are…..

#1. Urban CommunitiesThe people must live together in

communities. This does not mean that everybody must live in a community (people like farmers, do not live in cities, towns, or villages) but there must be some part of the population living in some kind of community.

#2 ReligionThe society must have beliefs that try to

answer “unanswerable” questions (such as, “why am I here?,” “what will happen to me after I die?,” etc…).

#3 LiteracyThe society must have the ability to read and

write.

#4 GovernmentThe society must have a set of rules, have

leaders, or a way to organized their society.

#5 SpecializationThe society must have specialization (or

having people with a specific set of skills) that benefits all.

#6 Tool-Making The society must be able to make tools, that

will benefit all, and be able to problem solve.

#7 Social ClassesThe society must be divided into different

groups with common characteristics.

#8 Concept of TimeA society must understand patterns like

seasons, sunrise and sunsets, high and low tides, etc… which can be used to benefit the society.

#9 LeisureThe society recognizes the value of arts,

games, and other forms of entertainment.

# 10 Education/CriticismThere must be a need to improve the

individual or society.

The Fertile Crescent

The Cradle of CivilizationMesopotamia is also known as “The Cradle of

Civilization.”

Many of the everyday things we associate with civilization was first created/formed in Mesopotamia.

The first civilization, known as Summer, was located in Mesopotamia (or the Fertile Crescent).

The Major Ancient Mesopotamian Empires

SumerBabylonAssyriaPersia

Achievements That Were Created/Invented inMesopotamia

Cuneiform, (first written language) Religion: Polytheism, Ziggurats The Code of Hammurabi: 1st written law

code Math/Science: multiplication/division, 360

degree circle, astronomy/calendar The wheel