Download Chap 1 Section 2 Notes

Bell Work
Do you live in a region that receives
plenty of rain or in a region that is
dry? Think about how that affects you
as you.
• Please answer on the
“Bell Work” slip.
The First Civilizations
Chapter 1
Mesopotamian Civilization
Section 2 Text Page 17
Mesopotamia’s Civilization
• Main Idea—Civilization in Mesopotamia began
in the valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers.
• Civilization—complex societies with cities,
organized governments, art, religion, class
divisions, and writing system.
Why were the Valleys Important?
Feed large
number of
people
Good
Farming
Conditions
Why were
river
valleys
important?
Exchange
of goods
and ideas.
Easier to
move and
trade
The Rise of Sumer
• The area between the Tigris
and the Euphrates Rivers.
• In what is now called Iraq.
• Mesopotamia—Greek for “the land between the
rivers.”
• Mesopotamia--known as the Fertile Crescent.
Important to know
Fertile Crescent
Sumer
• 3000 B.C.E.
• Region in southern Mesopotamia where a
very large population grew.
• Farmers learned to irrigate and
were able to grow large amounts
of food to support larger cities
and villages.
What Were City-States?
• City-state—a city and the land surrounding it
having it’s own government and not belonging
to any larger unit of organization.
• Sumerian city-states often went to war with
one another over glory or territory.
• Often the city-states built walls around their
cities to protect it’s residence.
Gods and Rulers
• Ziggurats were built to honor their many gods.
• Ziggurat means “mountain of god” or “hill of
heaven.”
• They were very prominent in many city-states.
Possibly Then
Now
Sumerian Social Class
Upper class
including Kings,
priests and
government officials
Middle class were artisans,
merchants, farmers, and
fishers.
Lower class were enslaved people who
worked on farms and in temples.
What Was Life Like in Sumer?
• Most people lived in mud-brick houses and a
few lived in palaces.
• Most were farmers while some were artisans.
• Artisan—skilled workers who made metal
products, cloth, or pottery.
Ticket Out The Door
• How did Mesopotamians control the flow
of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers?
Turn in the “Bell/Ticket” slip as you leave class.
Bell Work
What is your favorite book?
• Please answer on the
“Bell Work” slip.
A Skilled People
• Main Idea—Sumerians invented writing and
made other important contributions to later
peoples.
• Mesopotamia is known as the “cradle of
civilization.”
Why Was Writing Important?
• Record keeping and keeping track of business
were some important reasons for the
development of writing.
• Cuneiform—consisted of hundreds of wedgeshaped marks cut into damp clay tablets with
a sharp-ended reed.
Worlds first ISN
Sumerian Literature
• Worlds oldest know written story.
• Epic of Gilgamesh—epic poem telling the
story of the hero, Gilgamesh.
Advances in Science and Math
•
•
•
•
•
Wagon Wheel
Plow
Sailboat
Geometry
Number system based on 60
– 60 min hour, 60 sec min, 360 degree circle
• Developed calendar based on moon cycles.
Ticket Out The Door
• List your favorite invention of the
Sumerian people.
Turn in the “Bell/Ticket” slip as you leave class.
Bell Work
Have you heard of the Roman Empire,
the Aztec Empire, or the British
Empire? What other empires can you
think of?
• Please answer on the
“Bell Work” slip.
Sargon and Hammurabi
• Main Idea—Sumerian city-states lost power
when they were conquered by outsiders.
• Empire—a group of many different lands
under one ruler.
Sargon
•
•
•
•
King of Akkadians
World’s first empire
He conquered all of Mesopotamia
Lasted more than 200 years.
Hammurabi
• 1800s B.C.E. Hammurabi, King of Babylon
became most powerful ruler in Mesopotamia.
• He is best know for his collection of laws.
• The laws covered crimes, farming and
business activities, marriage
and family, and almost
every area of life!
Ticket Out The Door
• Why was Sargon’s empire important?
Turn in the “Bell/Ticket” slip as you leave class.