Download Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia and Sumer
Main Idea:
The first known civilization arose in
Mesopotamia, and its culture and
innovations influenced later civilizations
in the region for thousands of years.
Key Terms and People
Fertile Crescent – region between the
Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf
Mesopotamia - Fertile Crescent area between the
Tigris and Euphrates
rivers (means
“between the rivers”
in Greek)
Key Terms and People
Ziggurat - pyramid-shaped temple dedicated to a
Sumerian city’s chief god
City-state - a political unit with
its own government made of
a city and its lands
Polytheism - the worship of many gods
Dynasty - a series of rulers from one
family
Cuneiform - Sumerian writing, first
known system of writing
Key Terms and People
Sargon - Akkadian ruler who was the first to create a
permanent army
Hammurabi - King of Babylon famous for his code of
laws
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Reading Focus
How did geography promote civilization in
Mesopotamia?
•Flat swampy region was well suited for agriculture
•Flooding of Tigris and Euphrates rivers left behind
fertile soil, led to more food, which led to more
people.
•Water from rivers needed to be controlled through
canals and dikes.
•Large projects like these required an organizational
structure to emerge.
Reading Focus
What features defined the civilization of Sumer?
•Sumerian cities were built mostly of mud bricks, with
walls for defense and ziggurat at the heart of the city
•Sumerians practiced polytheism, they believed gods
controlled all natural forces, protected their city, and
were like humans in many ways. They worked hard to
please the gods.
•Priests held high status, but as city-states battled war
chiefs gained more power eventually ruled as kings
forming dynasties.
Reading Focus
What were Sumer’s main cultural achievements?
•Writing – cuneiform was first used to keep business accounts, later
they wrote works on law, grammar, and literature. Epic of
Gilgamesh, is the best know Sumerian writing, is the story of a
legendary king.
•Math & Science – developed a math system based on number 60,
used geography, invented the wheel & plow. They also used bronze
to make better tools and weapons.
•The Arts – Carved statues with large, wide-opened eyes, small
objects made of ivory. Small stone cylinders engraved all around
with detailed designs would be rolled over wet clay leaving behind
an imprint.
•Trade and Society – Traded with other people from SW Asia to
obtain materials they need. Developed a social hierarchy with Kings
& Priests at the top, followed by large landowners and merchants,
then artists, farmers and laborers, finally slaves.
Reading Focus
What events led to later empires in Mesopotamia?
•City-states were wakened by constant warfare with
each other
•Invaders then one by one conquered the region
•Invaders adapted many aspects of Sumerian culture
to their own societies.
Sargon’s Empire
•The worlds first empire c. 2330 BC
•From the city of Akkad, Sargon I was the first ruler
to create a permanent army, used the army to
conquer all of Sumer and Northern Mesopotamia.
• Adopted cuneiform to write their language.
•Spread Sumerian culture beyond Mesopotamia
•Sargon’s Empire only lasted 140 years, Invaders
from the East invaded and captured Akkad
Sargon’s Empire
Babylonian Empire
•Amorite Tribe that settled in Babylon on the Euphrates
River were able to unite all of Mesopotamia
•1792 BC, Hammurabi became king of Babylon
•Hammurabi was a brilliant warrior, able ruler and
administrator.
•Hammurabi’s Law Code – written law code that
contained 282 laws dealing with everything from trade
and theft to injury and murder
•After the death of Hammurabi Babylon’s power
declined. Hittite and other invaders eventually
conquered Babylon
Babylonian Empire