Introduction Civilization developed between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers By 3000 BC a number of cities are established by the Sumerians Role of Environment Created in a region that ID: 660361
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Slide1
Mesopotamia!
“The Land Between Two Rivers”Slide2
Introduction:
Civilization
developed between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
By 3,000 B.C., a number of cities are established by the Sumerians.Slide3
Role of Environment
Created in a region that
agriculture
is possible.Irrigation and drainage possible.
Forced people to work together and formed
communities
.
Rivers supplied basics for existence:
food
, water, and sanitation.Slide4Slide5
Environment…
Also provided for
shelter.
Basics of building – clay, brick, wood.Problems with living near a river valley?
Destroyed by frequent
floods
Restrained political
development
Communication
among various isolated cities was very difficult.Slide6
Invention of Writing
Origins of writing probably go back to the
ninth
millennium B.C.4th millennium- realized that drawing
tokens was easier than making tokens
Result was the development of
cuneiform
: “wedge-shaped”; pictograph system.Slide7
Sumerian SocietySlide8
Sumerian Society
Sumer was different from all other earlier civilizations. It had:
Advanced
citiesSpecialized workersComplex
institutions
Record
Keeping
Advanced
technologySlide9
Sumerian Society
Developed
city states
Sumerian society had: food surplus, increased population, expanded trade, and expansion of Sumerian society.Polytheistic – worshipped many
gods
Wrote
myths
(Epic of Gilgamesh)
Had social classes
Priests and kings were at the
top
Slaves
were at the bottomSlide10
Sumerian Society
Women
probably couldn’t attend school, but had many other rights.
Advances in mathematicsNumber system based on 60 (60 seconds=minute)Slide11
Quick Quiz!
Name all seven characteristics of a civilization.
In three to five sentences, explain how we know that Sumer was a civilization. (Give three pieces of evidence).Slide12
Sumerian Inventions
Wagon Wheel
Potter’s Wheel
Number System12 month calendarMetal plowSail
Some of the earliest known maps
New architectureSlide13
V. The Akkadian
Empire
The Sumerian city-states eventually fell to foreign invaders (2000’s BC)
The Akkadians:Semites-nomadic people from the Arabian Peninsula that migrated to Mesopotamia
Sargon I (2300-2200 BC), a great military leader, unites all Mesopotamian cities (created the first empire)
Under Sargon I
Akkadians
adopted Sumerian religion, farming, and had many cultural achievements.Slide14
VI. Babylonian Empire
Amorites (2000-1600 BC)
Located in modern-day Syria
Conquered many parts of old Sumeria (including the city of Babylon)Hammurabi: created a law code with harsh punishments
Became an important center of trade.
After Hammurabi’s death, Babylon declined, and a number of groups ruled parts of Babylonia.Slide15
VII. Assyrian Empire
Started to gain strength about 900 BC
Powerful army
Treated conquered people cruellyLarge empire with good roadsBuilt aqueductsSculpted bas-reliefs
Collapsed about 612 BCSlide16
VIII. Neo-Babylonia
Defeated the Assyrians in about 612 BC
Descended from Hammurabi’s Babylonians
At its height during the rule of Nebuchadnezzar (605-562 BC)Spent a lot of money on BabylonBuilt the Hanging Gardens
Skilled in mathematics
and astronomy