chp 10-1. “between the rivers” located between the tigris and euphrates in what is known as...
TRANSCRIPT
MESOPOTAMIA
“Between the rivers” Located between the Tigris and Euphrates in what is known as the Fertile Crescent Began settling hereAround 4500 BC
Used irrigation systems to water crops Developed a 12 month calendar based
on the phases of the moon to help prepare for the yearly floods
The plow was first used here Sumer is where the first city-states
were located They invented the wheel and the
sailboat
RELIGION AND GOVERNMENT
At the center of each city was a ziggurat with a temple at the top
Polytheistic Originally was a theocracy, but
eventually military leaders took over
CUNEIFORM
The Sumerians developed the first system of writing
Made up of hundreds of shapes like wedges
Used sharp edged reeds to write on clay tablets that they would dry in the sun
Worlds first story is from this region The Epic of Gilgamesh
Around 2300 BC the kingdom of Akkad conquered Sumer and its king created an empire (Akkadian Empire)
It fell to Babylon around 1800 BC Babylon’s greatest king was Hammurabi. Built temples and irrigation canals Number system based on 60 ( we
borrowed the 60 minute hour, 60 second minute, and 360 degree circle)
Code of Hammurabi- first collection of written laws
NEW BABYLON
After Hammurabi’s death his empire was divided
Eventually it was ruled by the Chaldeans and their king Nebuchadnezzar
Rebuilt Babylon Built the Hanging Gardens for his wife
who missed the mountains and plants of her native land
ANCIENT EGYPT
Settled along the Nile River
It’s the world’s longest river (4160 miles). It is the only river in the world that flows north.
Every year in the middle of July the Nile floods
This gives the land around the Nile very fertile soil
There were 2 kingdoms- Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt
In 3100 BC the Upper Egypt king Namer combined the 2 kingdoms in to 1
Adopted the title Pharaoh (means “great house”)
Theocracy Pharaoh was a god, a king, and a priest
RELIGION
Re- sun god Hapi- river god Horus- sky god Osiris- god of the harvest and eternal
life Egyptians believed the soul could not
survive without the body Built elaborate tombs called pyramids
for the pharaohs
EGYPTIAN WRITING
Wrote using hieroglyphics (pictures used for words or sounds
Wrote on papyrus which grows along the Nile
Developed ink Some writing still exist today because
of the dry climate
MATH AND MEDICINE
Used a number system based on tens Used fractions and whole numbers Developed geometry to measure land Used the flooding to make a calendar First to use splints, bandages, and
compresses Skilled at using stitches and setting broken
bones Had remedies for hair loss and indigestion