Chapter 2 Western Asia amp Egypt BG Cabrera Assyria Akkad amp Sumer When we speak of the Mesopotamian Civilization we are referring to Impact of Geography Between the Euphrates and Tigris ID: 372798
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Slide1
World History Chapter 2
Western Asia & Egypt
B.G. CabreraSlide2
Assyria, Akkad & SumerWhen we speak of the Mesopotamian Civilization we are referring to:Slide3
Impact of Geography Between the Euphrates and Tigris
Mesopotamia: The land “between the rivers.”At the eastern end of an area called the Fertile Crescent. Rich in soil and abundant crops . Little rain but rich in silt.
People controlled the environment by building irrigation drainage ditches (water control).
Climate- harsh floods, winds and humidity Slide4Slide5
Specialized Workers Irrigation projects
The economy was based on farming. Trade and industry was also important.Woolen textiles, pottery, metalwork,
3 major social groups: nobles (royals and priests), commoners (farmers, merchants, fishers, craftspeople) and slaves (building projects).Slide6
Government Although
theocracy played a role in the life of Sumerians early on, kings eventually became the ruling power. Kings believed that their power derived from the gods.
Kings led armies, supervised building of public works and organized workers, priests and priestesses supported the king in ruling.
Hammurabi's laws regulated the social conditions of Mesopotamia.
Penalties for criminal offenses were severe. Slide7
of
ownsSlide8
ReligionPolytheistic
The people believed that the gods controlled every aspect of the universe. Humans were believed to be inferior to the gods, and were to work for the gods.
Priests and Priestesses had a lot of power because the Sumerians believed in
theocracy.
Temples dedicated to gods and goddesses of the city called
ziggurats.
Elaborate homes were also built for priests and priestesses.
The temples served as the center of the city, physically, economically and politically. Slide9
Advanced Cities By 3000 BCE the Sumerians had established a number of independent cities in southern Mesopotamia, including Ur.
As cities expanded they came to have political power over surrounding towns.
City-states
were formed
Sumerians imported copper, tin, and timber. Traders traveled by land to the Mediterranean Sea and India to trade.
City-states
were invaded for control of land and water.
Akkadians set up the first
empire
in history but had conflicts with neighbors, fell in 2100 BCE.
Babylon lead by
Hammurabi
gained control of Sumer and Akkad and became the next Mesopotamian city-state in 1792BCE.
Cities were
patriarchal
, dominated by men. Slide10
City-state vs. Empire
City-state
As ancient rulers gained more power, they conquered territories beyond the boundaries of their cities.
Rulers, nobles, and priests often controlled the land outside the city and
forced
peasants to give them crops they grew, for example.
empire
As ambitious rulers conquered many cities and villages, creating the first empires.
Empires were controlled by one ruler.
Empires were NOT easy to maintain.
Although the creation of empires was often cruel for the civilians, this meant that wars would end and created common bonds with people. Slide11
Advanced Technology Sumerian cities were surrounded by walls and defense towers.
Sundried bricks were used for architecture.They invented the arch and dome.Ziggurat
The invention of the wheel, 3000 BCE(wheeled carts and transportation).
Sundial to keep time
First to make bronze out of copper and tin.
Created a number system based on 60.
Achievements in math (fields and buildings) and astronomy. Slide12
Record KeepingsSumerians created the first system of writing.
Cuneiform was created around 3000 BCE. Written records were found on clay tablets.
Trained
scribes
(wealthy boys) went to school for many years to one day become leaders of their city, temples and armies.
Scribes would copy and recopy works… b0ring.
Gilgamesh
- epic Mesopotamian poem taught that everlasting life is only for the gods. Slide13
Check for understanding…
What could we conclude from the code of Hammurabi? (Why did he create these laws?)What are the components of a city-state?
With what purpose what the Epic of Gilgamesh written?
Could you recreate the fertile crescent on a map? Slide14
Egypt The Kingdom of the Nile Slide15
Impact of Geography The fertile lands of the Nile Valley attracted Stone Age Farmers from the Mediterranean area
This civilization depended heavily in the control of river waters.The desert protected Egypt from invasion.
The people lived along
the
N
ile