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THE RISE OF THE RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATIONS Part I RIVER VALLEY CIVILIZATIONS As humans developed agriculture, their cultures changed as well. The first civilizations grew around major rivers around the same time in history. The geographic regions provided optimal climate, transportation, and fertile soil to grow crops. MESOPOTAMIA Between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago, a civilization developed between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. MESOPOTAMIA Between 5,000 and 6,000 years ago, a civilization developed between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Most historians call the land Mesopotamia. This is the first known civilization. MESOPOTAMIAN AGRICULTURE The climate of the area is hot and dry, so farmers used irrigation to grow crops. MESOPOTAMIAN AGRICULTURE The climate of the area is hot and dry, so farmers used irrigation to grow crops. Because food grew more easily, the population increased. People began to specialize in activities other than farming. MESOPOTAMIAN GOVERNMENT Early Mesopotamians built several city states, each with its own ruler. Later, these city-states united under a common ruler. Hammurabi, a ruler of Babylon, created the first written laws, known as Hammurabi’s Code. HAMMURABI’S CODE 195: If a son strikes his father, his hands shall be cut off. 197: If a noble breaks a noble’s bone, his bone shall be broken. RELIGION The early Mesopotamians were polytheistic, believing in as many as 2,000 gods. RELIGION The early Mesopotamians were polytheistic, believing in as many as 2,000 gods. Some of the specialized workers were priests. Many times, the priests were also the rulers, making the governments of Mesopotamia theocracies. ARCHITECTURE AND SCIENCE Mesopotamians built ziggurats as religious and government buildings. In southern Mesopotamia, Sumerians invented the wheel and the sailboat. They also discovered the process of making bronze, a metal that is stronger than copper. ARCHITECTURE AND SCIENCE (CONT.) Using bronze tools, the Sumerians rerouted water from the rivers to drier areas. ARCHITECTURE AND SCIENCE (CONT.) Using bronze tools, the Sumerians rerouted water from the rivers to drier areas. Sumerians devised a calendar and a 60based number system. They also invented the earliest known writing system – cuneiform. WOMEN IN MESOPOTAMIA Women in that society were responsible for raising children and keeping the home. Wealthy women could go to the market alone, and could conduct business in the absence of the husband. Women of the royal family had the highest status of all women. NOTES QUIZ 1. What two rivers create the boundary of Mesopotamia? 2. What is the belief in two or more gods? 3. What are two of the inventions of the Sumerians? 4. What was the first written code of laws?