Download Global 9 Name__________________ Fredericks Mesopotamia

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Mesopotamia: River Valley Civilization
4,500 B.C.E
The city-states of ancient Mesopotamia were independent
cities constructed around temples and entirely selfcontained within mighty perimeter walls. City-states were
unified with each other only by their shared use of the
Sumerian language. They spent most of their time
engaged in conflict over resources.
The Sumerian city-states included Uruk, Kish, Lagash,
Umma, Agade, and Ur.
Each city-state's central temple was devoted to a specific
deity and administrated by a priest king. This priest king
was also responsible for fortifying the perimeter and
protecting the citizens.
The priest king of each city-state was housed in a palace,
while his citizens typically lived in thatched and tightly
packed homes. Most people worked in agriculture, either
on their own land or land owned by the state. Others
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Fredericks
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beneath the ruling priest class served as scribes, artisans
or merchants.
Eventually the Sumerian city states were taken over by the
Akkadians, a group from the North and the world’s first
empire was created. A powerful leader named Hammurabi
emerged in the region and reigned from 1792 B.C.E. –
1750 B.C.E., leaving behind a legacy that is still
remembered today.