CHAPTER 2.1Civilization Begins in

Mesopotamia:Short Answers and Essential

Question

What role did geography play in the development of of

Mesopotamian civilization?

little rain, but soil enriched by layers of silt deposited by the overflowing of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

flooding , due to spring run-off, was unpredictable, and sometimes caused damaging floods

people learned how to control the flooding (irrigation and drainage ditches) made it possible to grow an abundance food

promoted agriculture and supported cities, where trade and industry could thrive

Located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers

Describe the city of Uruk first Sumerian city with population of

50,000 people by 2700 B.C. walled city with defensive towers and

dwellings made of mud bricks dwellings of different sizes, indicating a

social structure consisting of peasants and of people with higher status (city officials, priests & priestesses)

Why were the early Mesopotamian city-states

considered to be theocracies? most prominent building in a Sumerian

city was the temple dedicated to the chief god or goddess of the city, often built atop a ziggurat

priest or priestess who supervised this temple had great power (surplus food and crafts stored here)

Sumerians believed that gods ruled their cities

even when ruled by a king, it was believed that these rulers derived their power from the gods (divine authority)

Describe the economy and society of Sumerian city-states

economy farming trade (bartered with civilizations in

Eastern Mediterranean and India wool, barley, dried fish, wheat and metal goods for imported copper, tin and timber

industry (tools and jewelry made of bronze)

Describe the economy and society of Sumerian city-states

society nobles (royalty and priests & their

families) commoners (servants, farmers,

merchants, fishers, and artisans) slaves (used for building projects,

weaving, grinding grain, as workers for rich landowners)

Sumerian achievementsachievement effect on our lives todaycuneiform (Sumerian form of writing)

basis for modern forms of communication

the wheel cars, trucks, etc. still use wheels

Code of Hammurabi (some of the laws)

If anyone commits a robbery and is caught, then he shall be put to death.

If a man wishes to separate from a woman who has borne him children, or from his wife who has borne him children, then he shall give that wife her dowry, and a part of the usufruct (right of use) of field , garden, and property, so that she can rear her children.

If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out.

Code of Hammurabi (what this tell us about Mesopotamian society)

severe penalties for criminal offenses officials held strictly accountable for

enforcing laws regulated marriage patriarchal society women had rights (although not as many

as men)

Were the city-states of Mesopotamia the first human

civilizations?

characteristic evidence in Mesopotamia? time (approximate)

cities? Eridu, Ur, Uuk 3500-500 B.C.government? kings, Code of Hammurabireligion? priests & priestesses,

ziggurat,2100 B.C.

social structure? nobles, commoners, slaves 3500-500 B.C.writing? cuneiform 3500 B.C.art? Epic of Gilgamesh,

Standard of Ur 2700 B.C.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Deluge tablet of the Gilgamesh epic in Akkadian

The Standard of Ur (war panel)

depicting a a border skirmish (excavated in Ur in 1920 – now in British Museum

The Standard of Ur (peace panel)

portrays a banquet scene – attendants parade animals, fish, and other goods (possibly war booty) before seated figures, while a lyrist entertains

the throng