mesopotamia civilization

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA (MODERN IRAQ)(MODERN IRAQ)

Introduction: Origin & Development

• Mesopotamia-Greek word meaning:– The flat land between two rivers (Tigris &

Euphrates)–Also means ‘Fertile Crescent’ (traditional Garden

of Eden)– Initially inhabited by nomads- Semitic

language Family (Hebrew & Arabs)– Late became builders & Farmers in the South– Civilization begun 3500BC in the cities of

Sumer, Kish, Ur, Nippur, Uruk & Umma

Geography:• Land:–Steep and difficult with temp raising to

38 in summer and rainfall low- 10inches–Rain unpredictable

• Spring- rivers flooded the valley– Rain re news soil fertility– Snow melt, not rain (little vs. lots of snow,

fast melt vs. slow melt)–

Economic life:• Crops grown: wheat, barley, vegetables- onions,

leeks, & dates• Animals reared: Donkeys, cows, goats, pigs & sheep• Surplus produces allowed Sumerians to result to

other activities. Resulting to:• Production of bricks• Invention of potter wheel• Pottery • Use of bronze

Challenges:• Control of flooded rivers• Keeping up a stable irrigation system• Keeping off enemies –

Socio-political system/Government Each Sumerian city was independent of others Characterized war-

Cities emerged same time & overlapped with timeRivalry- land, water & trade, mainly land & water

Leader- Highest priest (priest-king)- theocraticPriests had supreme authority-

Sumerians believed that the land & city-state was owned by gods and priests ruled on behalf of the gods

Social Structure Based on level of dependency & freedom enjoyed

Nobles (Kings, Priests, Palace officials)

Commoners (Free Citizens) Protected by law

Free Clients (Dependent on the Nobility

Slaves (Foreigners, prisoners of wars

criminals, debtors)

Social System Cont’d…..Women protected by dowryMen had absolute power sickness- caused by magic & evil spirits

Education:Only the rich kids went to school particularly the boysMaths, Botany, linguistics & writing

Religion:Polytheist society- divided among functions tried to control the earth rain, sun, storms, water, wisdomZiggurat-

Cont’d…… DesertFeudalism system: Petty-statism: Polarization:

Political Organizations: Two main political settings: Confederate city-state

Initially organized as city-state Loose confederate city/states – 100 square

EmpireEmerges when people are conquered & are absorbed into a larger political system

Political Organizations: Famous Kings:

Sumerian Empire – Lugal Zagge Akkadian - Sargon Akkad Guti – Ur- Nammu Old Babylon Empire- Hammurabi Assyrian Persian Empire unit- Satrapy or Province

Genesis of Civilization:Started by Sumerian who settled on the lower Tigris-Euphrates

Created a form of writing CuneiformDevelopment of dykes, canals & irrigation ditches irrigationFirst to use fertilizer & invent glassUse of silver as a means of exchangeInvent the wheel, cart & carriage

Formulated laws- based on ‘tit for tat’ or lex talionisBelieved in Heroism- example of Hero stories- Gilgameshas- recorded in Epic of GilgameshControl declined in 2371 BC

Akkadian - Sargon (2300-2200): Overthrew Sumerian govt Retained social & administrative systems of Sumerian Characterized by invasion of foreign lands Authoritarian regime-

Faced by external attacks & internal revolts

Guti Empire: Nomad community from Zagros mountains Destroyed urban set up & imposed militaristic system Features:

Decline in tradeAnarchy as result of military coups & counter coupsOnly one successful king- Ur-Nammu (2113-2000)

Collapse of the empire attributed to foreign attacks & division of the country by two powers

Amorites (Syria)- East- capital Babylon Elemites (Iran) – East (Ur) Mesopotamia thus divided into two feuding city-states

Amorites (Old-Babylonian)- Hammurabi (1792-1750) Systematized law (Hammurabi code) Composed of 300 laws set in a public place

Royal taxation Compulsory military services Treason & sedition – serious offense Protected women & children- dowry property of the women

Amorites (Old-Babylonian)- Just society

Economy of willing buyer & seller Law of partnership, title deeds, wills & interest Encouraged working on farms to ensure self-sufficiency

Assyrians - King Sennacherib Brutal & militaristic people- destroyed rather than built Methods used to establish govt were ruthless- instill fear & obedience

Building constructed Administrative & military center for population control to minimize rebellion Propaganda- make people fear the king

Assyrians - King Sennacherib Characteristics:

Commerce & industry not promoted- lowered dignity of soldiers Agriculture main stay Trade was for non-Assyrians Intellectual contributions- military & health provision for military Art

Chaldean/Neo-Babylonian Resurgence

King Nebuchadnezzar (Medes- Iran) Astrologers- divided the sky into 12 parts (Zodiac) Invented 7 day week Divided day into 120 minutes Charted the movements of planets & eclipses of the sun & moon Invented 360 degree-circle

King Nebuchadnezzar militarism led to formation of Hebrew Empire (Judah)

Enslaved them in Neo-Babylon

Hebrew (Israelites, Jews)

History contained in the Torah Trace their origin in Sumerian city- Ur 1950 BC – Abraham made covenant with God- Ur Ur under attack by the Elemites (Iran) Migrated to Palestine 12 tribes migrated to Egypt – 1600 BC under Hyksos

After Hyksos were overthrown – Hebrews were enslaved – Biblical bondage Moses led them & led them to Canaan arrived in Canaan – Joshua (1200BC)

Hebrew Cont’d…… Moses led them & led them to Canaan arrived in Canaan – Joshua (1200BC) Followed by the leadership of the judges which ended in 1020 BC- Saul united the two tribes Followed by David & Solomon built the temple (First Temple) Solomon was extravagant – caused to cede 20 cities in Galilee in lieu of payment leading to hostility with his subjects Hostility continued during leadership of Solomon’s son- Rehoboam

Hebrew Cont’d…… The rise of two nations in Israel- Israel & Judah

Israel (North of Palestine) & Judah (South) Divided Kingdom resulted to idolatry Division led to attacks by foreigners – Israel (Assyrians) & Judah (Chaldeans) Attacks scattered the Hebrews all over the world resulting to 10 lost tribes of Israel

Nebuchadnezzar II & Israel Hebrews (Judah) were incarcerated in Babylon Conspired with King Cyrus of Persian overthrew Neb Mesopotamia became a province of Persia & some Hebrews returned to Israel Those who remianed in Babylon (Disapora) – refers to Jews living outside Israel

Hebrew Cont’d……

The return of the Jews: Jews from Judah tried to rebuild the temple but never succeeded coz of constant attacks

Attacked by Alexander the Great, King Antiochus (Syria), Herod (Roman)

King Herod renamed it Judea & destroyed when the Jews tried to rebel leading to second wave of Jews migration to Europe

Hebrew Cont’d…… Jews & Discrimination:

1096- Christian crusade persecuted & discriminated non-Christians Jews required to wear a badge or special clothes that would categorize them as Jews Lived in separated communities- Ghettos Jews lost right to own land & became money lenders & peddlers England & France expel Jews – settled in Poland & Germany

Hebrew Cont’d……Enlightenment Age (1700s) & Plight of Jews:

Period marked by ideas of liberty & equality- in Europe

Resulted into tolerance of Jews, emancipation and acceptance of Jews as citizens in individual European countries1800s- Anti-semitism re-emerged when writers- Germany tried to proof that Jews were inferior to Aryans 1849 a Jewish French army officer accused of treason

Hebrew Cont’d……Enlightenment Age (1700s) & Plight of Jews:

Then Jews decided only solution to anti-semitism was a Jewish independent state Creation of Zionist movement Zionist movement begun by buying land in Palestine & established farms in Tel-Aviv During WWII – anti-semitism in parts of Europe lead to the death of 6 million Jews Israel – created in 1948 (Britain & US)

Jewish religious & national identity could be developed

PERSIAN EMPIRE Established by Cyrus the Great Leader of Southern Persian tribes but considered himself leader of Asia Minor

Succeeded by Cambyses- conquered Egypt Darius- conquer Greece

Key Contributions: Religion – Zoroastrianism (600BC) & Mithraism (400BC)

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