mesopotamia. also known as: the fertile crescent meaning: “land between two rivers” rivers:...
TRANSCRIPT
MESOPOTAMIA
MESOPOTAMIA3500 BC – 1750 BC
Also known as: THE FERTILE CRESCENT Meaning: “Land Between Two Rivers”
Rivers: TIGRIS and EUPHRATES
http://www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/mesopotamia-the-first-civilization/
EARLY SETTLERS 3300 B.C. Sumerians1.Dug irrigation
ditches – lack of water (Unpredictable flooding combined with periods of little or no rain)
2. Built City Walls – lack of natural barriers
3. Traded – lack of natural resources, especially building materials
ZIGGURAT Pyramid shaped
monument “mountain of
god” Conducted
rituals, sacrifices offerings to gods
RELIGION POLYTHEISTIC Over 3000 Gods
example: ENLIL god of storms/air
Wanted Gods protection in life
EPICSEX: EPIC OF GILGAMESH
Long narrative poem celebrating deeds of heroes
Ex.) The Epic of Gilgamesh
SOCIAL CLASSES:
(FROM HIGHEST TO LOWEST)
Kings/Priests
Wealthy Merchants
Workers (majority)
Slaves
SOCIAL CLASSES 1. Priests/Kings 2. Wealthy Merchants 3. Workers 4. Slaves Women- more rights than later
civilizations – hold property, pursue work, join priesthood, not allowed to attend schools – upper class could read & write
INVENTIONS WHEEL,SAIL,PLO
W WRITING, BRONZE WORKS,NUMBER SYSTEM (60)
SUMERIANS & ARITHMETICSumerians used arithmetic to:
1.Erect city walls & buildings
2.Plan irrigation systems
3.Survey flooded fields
ARCHITECTURE ARCHES COLUMN
S RAMPS ZIGGUR
AT
WRITING:
CuneiformSumerian writing that consisted of pictographs
Developed a number system based on 60Ex.) 60 seconds = 1 minute
CUNEIFORM
HAMMURABI: (1792 BC-1750 BC)
Babylonian leader who led area to
height of power
HAMMURABI: (1792 BC-1750 BC)
Created the Code of HammurabiFirst major written law code established282 specific laws dealing with everything that effected the community
HAMMURABI CONTINUED…
Different punishments for rich and poorPunishments often applied the principle of retaliation
Ex.) eye for an eye codes were engraved on stone pillars and place throughout the empire
http://www.missedinhistory.com/podcasts/how-the-code-of-hammurabi-worked/
