mesopotamia. also known as: the fertile crescent meaning: “land between two rivers” rivers:...

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/