mesopotamia: the fertile crescent. fertile crescent ◊fertile crescent = moon-shaped strip of land...
TRANSCRIPT
Mesopotamia:The Fertile Crescent
Mesopotamia:The Fertile Crescent
Fertile CrescentFertile Crescent
◊ Fertile Crescent = moon-shaped strip of land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf that is excellent farm land• Located in modern-
day Middle East
◊ Fertile Crescent = moon-shaped strip of land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf that is excellent farm land• Located in modern-
day Middle East
MesopotamiaMesopotamia
◊ Mesopotamia = located within the Fertile Crescent, between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers• Rivers were NOT a reliable
source of water (unlike the Nile)
• Ran dry in summer; flooded in spring
• Villages joined together to build dams, canals, and ditches
◊ Mesopotamia = located within the Fertile Crescent, between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers• Rivers were NOT a reliable
source of water (unlike the Nile)
• Ran dry in summer; flooded in spring
• Villages joined together to build dams, canals, and ditches
The Sumerian CivilizationThe Sumerian Civilization
◊ People from Asia arrived in Mesopotamia
◊ Formed 12 city-states = the city and the land surrounding it• Considered the world’s
1st cities◊ Created ziggurats =
stepped pyramids with a temple at the top
◊ People from Asia arrived in Mesopotamia
◊ Formed 12 city-states = the city and the land surrounding it• Considered the world’s
1st cities◊ Created ziggurats =
stepped pyramids with a temple at the top
The Sumerian CivilizationThe Sumerian Civilization◊ Sumerians shared common
culture, language, and religion◊ City-states governed themselves◊ Were theocracies = kings served
as both government leaders AND high priests
◊ Laws regulated the roles of women & men men had far more rights
◊ Sumerians shared common culture, language, and religion
◊ City-states governed themselves◊ Were theocracies = kings served
as both government leaders AND high priests
◊ Laws regulated the roles of women & men men had far more rights
The Sumerian CivilizationThe Sumerian Civilization
◊ Cuneiform = Sumerian system of writing• The
symbols represented complex ideas
◊ Cuneiform = Sumerian system of writing• The
symbols represented complex ideas
The Sumerian CivilizationThe Sumerian Civilization
◊ Scribes were trained to read & write documents and stories• Epic of
Gilgamesh = oldest story in the world
◊ Scribes were trained to read & write documents and stories• Epic of
Gilgamesh = oldest story in the world
The Sumerian CivilizationThe Sumerian Civilization
◊ Practiced polytheism = belief in more than one god• Each city-state had
its own god• Negative outlook
on life and the afterlife
• Believed gods were selfish and had no regard for humans
◊ Practiced polytheism = belief in more than one god• Each city-state had
its own god• Negative outlook
on life and the afterlife
• Believed gods were selfish and had no regard for humans
Sumerian InventionsSumerian Inventions
1. Wagon Wheel2. Arch3. Potter’s Wheel4. Sundial5. 12-month
Calendar6. Metal Plow
1. Wagon Wheel2. Arch3. Potter’s Wheel4. Sundial5. 12-month
Calendar6. Metal Plow
First Mesopotamian EmpiresThe AkkadiansFirst Mesopotamian EmpiresThe Akkadians
◊ Empire under Sargon I
◊ Kingdom was called Akkad
◊ Conquered & united all of the Sumerian city-states
◊ Empire fell apart after his & his grandson’s death
◊ Empire under Sargon I
◊ Kingdom was called Akkad
◊ Conquered & united all of the Sumerian city-states
◊ Empire fell apart after his & his grandson’s death
First Mesopotamian EmpiresBabylon
First Mesopotamian EmpiresBabylon
◊ Ruled by Hammurabi◊ Strict Code of Laws =
Hammurabi’s greatest achievement• Rules and consequences that
addressed daily life• Law code covered entire region of
Mesopotamia• “Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth”
type of laws• Government assumed the
responsibility of protecting its citizens• People now had laws to protect their
rights & didn’t need to resort to violence
◊ Ruled by Hammurabi◊ Strict Code of Laws =
Hammurabi’s greatest achievement• Rules and consequences that
addressed daily life• Law code covered entire region of
Mesopotamia• “Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth”
type of laws• Government assumed the
responsibility of protecting its citizens• People now had laws to protect their
rights & didn’t need to resort to violence
First Mesopotamian EmpiresBabylon
First Mesopotamian EmpiresBabylon
◊ Social classes were similar to the Egyptians, but they had far more slaves
◊ Hammurabi’s empire fell apart after his death
◊ Social classes were similar to the Egyptians, but they had far more slaves
◊ Hammurabi’s empire fell apart after his death