Download Ancient Mesopotamia

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Ancient Mesopotamia
Overview
Ancient Mesopotamia was the earliest civilization in world
history, and the longest lasting. It was probably also the most
influential, as all later western civilizations were built on its
foundations.
Mesopotamia is known as one of the cradles of human
civilization because the earliest cities in history were
constructed in the area known as the “Fertile Crescent.”
Mesopotamia was the first civilizations in history, with its
3,000 years of development and three major periods of the
Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. Its culture also
influenced its neighbors: the Egyptians and ancient India to the East.
The domestication of wild plants and animals was accomplished in Mesopotamia around 8500 BCE.
1. Ancient Mesopotamia was the earliest…
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2. It was probably the most influential because…
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Geography
Mesopotamia can be found in the land between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Farming within the Fertile
Crescent made this civilization successful for thousands of years.
3. Mesopotamia is located…
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4. Mesopotamia was a successful civilization because…
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Language and Writing
The invention of writing came from Mesopotamia. Early in
Mesopotamia's history, cuneiform writing was invented by the
Sumerian empire. Cuneiform literally means "wedge-shaped," due to
the triangular tip of the stylus (a reed plant) used for impressing signs
on wet clay.
Libraries were built in towns and temples during the Babylonian
empire. Women as well as men learned to read and write.
5. The invention of cuneiform writing by the Sumerians was important because….
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Mathematics
Mesopotamian mathematics and science was based on a base 60 numeral system. This is the source of the 60minute hour, the 24-hour day, and the 360-degree circle. The Sumerian calendar was based on the seven-day
week. This form of mathematics was instrumental in early map making. The Babylonians had formulas on how
to measure the area of several shapes and solids. They measured the circumference of a circle as three times the
diameter and the area as one-twelfth the square of the circumference, which basically still holds true today!
6. Some examples of Babylonian math achievements are…
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Astronomy
The Babylonian empire astronomers were excellent at mathematics and could predict eclipses and solstices.
Scholars thought that everything had some purpose in astronomy and the study of the planets. Mesopotamian
astronomers worked out a 12-month calendar based on the cycles of the moon. They divided the year into two
seasons: summer and winter. These studies became the first scientific revolution in history.
7. Mesopotamian astronomers came up with these ideas that we still use today…
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Technology
Mesopotamian people invented many technologies including metal and copper-working, glass and lamp
making, textile weaving, flood control, water storage, and irrigation. They were also one of the first Bronze Age
people in the world. They developed copper, bronze, gold, and iron. Palaces were decorated with these very
expensive metals. Also, copper, bronze, and iron were used for armor as well as for different weapons such as
swords, daggers, spears, maces, and other stabbing weapons.
8. Mesopotamian technology included…
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9. Mesopotamians used the metals in different ways, such as…
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Religion
Mesopotamian religion was the first to be recorded. Mesopotamians believed that the world was a flat disc,
surrounded by a huge, holed space, and above that, heaven. They also believed that water was everywhere, the
top, bottom and sides, and that the universe was born from this enormous sea. Mesopotamian religion was
polytheistic (belief in many gods).
10. Mesopotamians believed…
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11. And their religion was called… _____________________________________________________________
Games
Hunting was popular in Mesopotamia. Boxing and wrestling were depicted frequently in art. They also played
major, a game similar to the sport of rugby, but played with a ball made of wood. They also played a board
game similar to backgammon.
12. Some Mesopotamian games included…
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Farming
Farming in Mesopotamia is possible only with irrigation. The need for irrigation led the Sumerians to build
their cities along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, also known as the Fertile Crescent.
Early farmers in Mesopotamia used wooden plows to soften the soil before planting crops such as barley,
onions, grapes, turnips, and apples. Mesopotamian farmers were some of the first people to make beer and wine.
Mesopotamian farmers did not depend completely on slaves to work for them, but they did sometimes use
slaves to help them.
Although the rivers were needed for survival, they also destroyed life by frequent floods that ravaged entire
cities. The unpredictable Mesopotamian weather was often hard on farmers; crops were often ruined so backup
sources of food such as cows and lambs were also kept.
13. The only thing that makes farming in Mesopotamia possible is…
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14. Early Mesopotamian farmers used wooden plows to…
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15. Some of their crops included…
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16. The rivers weren’t always a good thing because…
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Government
The Sumerian people built the first cities along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Each
Sumerian city became a city-state, independent of the others and protective of its
independence. King Hammurabi of the Babylon Empire is known for creating a system
of laws called the “Code of Hammurabi” that has had a lasting influence on our legal
system. Only one example of the Code survives today on a seven foot, four inch tall
basalt stone slab. The Code is considered an early form of a constitution. There are 282
laws in the Code of Hammurabi.
written laws
17. Some characteristics of Sumerian city-states were…
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18. King Hammurabi was known for…
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Architecture
Houses
The materials used to build a Mesopotamian house were the same as those used today: mud brick, mud plaster
and wooden doors, which were all naturally available around the civilization. Most houses had a square center
room with other rooms attached to it.
18. Describe a Mesopotamian house. With what was it built and what did it look like?
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Palaces
The palaces of the Mesopotamian highest social class were large-scale palaces, and were often lavishly
decorated. These palaces housed craftsmen workshops, food storehouses, ceremonial courtyards, and religious
shrines. Usually the King's throne room opened to a massive ceremonial courtyard where important ceremonies
were performed.
19. Describe a Mesopotamian palace. Who lived there and what did they look like?
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Mesopotamia’s Legacy
Ancient Mesopotamia is one of the most influential civilizations in world history. All other future civilizations
were built upon its foundations. The Mesopotamians were the first to build cities, use the potter's wheel,
develop writing, write down their history, build libraries, value learning, use bronze in metal-making, develop
governments, organize armies, begin schools, use irrigation for farming, create a system of laws with rules and
punishments, and start social classes.
20. Name some of the things the Mesopotamians did first, before any other civilization:
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