Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
SSWH1 The student will analyze the origins, structures, and interactions of complex societies in the ancient Eastern Mediterranean from 3500 BCE to 500 BCE. a. Describe the development of Mesopotamian societies; include the religious, cultural, economic, and political facets of society, with attention to Hammurabi’s law code. b. Describe the relationship of religion and political authority in Ancient Egypt. Mesopotamia means “land between the rivers” A region with little rain, but rich soil due to flooding in the late spring Irrigation and drainage ditches made it possible to grow crops on a regular basis Created the first Mesopotamian civilization As cities expanded they formed city-states, the basic unit of Sumerian civilization. Most prominent building in a Sumerian city was the temple, a massive stepped tower called a ziggurat. They were polytheistic- believed that gods and goddesses ruled the cities Due to the importance of religion in their government, they were a theocracy- a government by divine authority Army, government, priests, and priestesses all aided the kings in their rule. At the top was the ruling family, officials and priests Middle class consisted of scribes, merchants, and artisans Majority of the people were peasant farmers and were at the bottom Based chiefly on farming Were well known for their metalwork Invention of the wheel led to wheeled carts Invented writing-cuneiform which grew out of pictographs Cuneiform first used as a record of goods brought to the temple but grew to include myths, prayers, laws, and contracts Sumer is conquered and later becomes a part of the kingdom of Babylon ruled by Hammurabi. Hammurabi is remembered for his law code, a collection of 282 laws. The most complete of ancient law codes Based on a system of strict justice Penalties were severe and varied according to the social class Established civil law dealing with contracts, property, inheritance, marriage and divorce ◦ Husband had legal authority over his wife and children Defined criminal law such as robbery, assault, or murder and decided the punishment. ◦ “an eye for an eye and a life for a life” His code is important because it limited personal vengeance and codified laws for the first time. The Nile is the longest river in the world, 4000 miles. To the ancient Egyptians, the most important feature was the yearly flooding. The Nile Delta is called Lower Egypt; the land to the south, is called Upper Egypt. Religious ideas were an inseparable part of their world order. Polytheistic- Were divided into two groups sun gods and land gods God-King (Pharaoh) Upper Class of Nobles and Priests Merchants, Artisans, Scribes, and Tax Collectors (The Middle Class) Peasants – the largest number of people in Egypt simply worked the land Nile River Lower Egypt Upper Egypt Giza