Download Mesopotamia

Warm-Up
 List the 7 characteristics of civilization and give and
example of each of them.
 You may get out of your seat to get a book then return
to your seat ASAP.
 This may be picked up for a grade if everybody is not
on task.
Good Behavior Raffle
 For a week where you do not get a verbal warning, you
will be entered into a raffle on Friday for Candy of
your choice to be brought Monday. (KING SIZE if
Possible).
Mesopotamia
A Real OC: Original Civilization.
Mesopotamia
Earliest of all civilization.
Greek word that means “
between the rivers.” The rivers
were the Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers in Iraq.
Civilization lasted 3,000 years
Accomplishments: writing,
development of math, invented
the wheel, and working with
metal.
The Setting: Geography
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Little rainfall
Hot and Dry climate
Crazy flooding patterns in the spring( sporadic and
unpredictable)
No stone or timber resources.
Why live there?
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Natural levee's created
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High and safe flood plains for towns.
Made irrigation and canal construction easy
The surrounding swamps were full of fish ( served as
food).
The story: An Overview
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Over the centuries many different people lived in this
area and were the dominant power.
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Sumer-southern part( 3500-2000 BCE)
Akkad- northern part ( 2340-2180 BCE_
Babylonia- Unified north and south ( 1830-1500 BCE)
Assyria-Assyrian Empire ( 1100-612 BCE)
Religion
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Polytheistic religion: consist of over 3600 gods and
demigods
Position of King was enhanced and supported by
religion( they were endowed by the gods)
Each god ruled a certain part of their lives.
Kings and priests acted as interpreter as they told the
people what the god wanted them to do.
Places of Religion: Ziggurats
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Large temples dedicated to god of the city.
Made from layers of mud bricks in the shape of
pyramid.
A room for food and goods.
Famous ziggurat was Tower of Babel ( over 100m
above ground and 91m base)
Social Order
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Kings
Priests
Skilled craftspeople,
merchants, and traders
Large working class of
farmers and laborers
Slaves
Note: slaves in any society
are always at the bottom.
Governments of Mesopotamia
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Mesopotamia was not a singular nation like we see
today, but instead was a collection of city-states.
Sumerians
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Produced 3 main
crops( barley, dates,
and sesame seed)
Developed cuneiform
writing.
First city in the world
Created the wheel.
Rented land from
priest( gods owned the
land)
Akkadians
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Capital at Akkad.
Unified lower Mesopotamia through military
conquest. (2331 BCE).
Barbarians conquered Akkadians in 2200 BCE.
Babylonians
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1830 BCE: reunited Mesopotamia
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They had an advantage due to it's central location.
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Individuals could own land themselves ( first time ever)
Trade happen through grain currency rather than
bartering products.
LEGACY: HAMURABI'S CODE
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Hammurabi's Code
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Code of 282 laws inscribed
in stone pillar placed in
public place for all to see.
Punishment was designed
to fit the crimes as people
must be responsible for
own actions.
“Eye for an eye”
Consequence for crime
depended on social rank
in society( only fines for
nobility).
Assyrians
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(1100-612 BCE) Assyria emmerged as dominant force
of the North.
First professional army which gave them the ability to
kick tail.
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Superior weapons made of iron.
City-States Contributions.
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Sumerians
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Irrigation techniques.
Bartering trade
Writing-cuneiform
ziggurats
Babylon
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Private ownership
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Calendar system for
12 month
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Hammurabi's Law
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Assyria
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Used Iron to create
superior weapons.
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Paid soldiers for more
effective army.
Mesopotamia's Legacy.
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Codified laws
Ziggurats
Cunieform
Irrigation
Metal working
Wheel
Writing
Quick Quiz
1) Mesopotamia is in what present day country?
2) Who were the two highest social groups in
Mesopotamia?
3) Why were ziggurats made?
4) What was the name of the writing created by
sumerians?
5) What is the saying we use to remember Hamurabi's
Code?
Asking all them Questions!!! DBQ.
Questions for HC
1) In the code of Hammurabi,
why does Hammurabi feel
justified in setting forth this
law code.
2) What are 3 penalties within
Hammurabi’s code? What
are the crimes for each
penalty?
3) Do they seem to0 harsh to be
fair? Why or Why not?( at
least 3 sentences)
Questions for “Reign of
Sargon”
1) Did Sargon establish “order”?
How do you know this?
2) Does the chronicle( essay)
look favorably to Sargon’s
reign? Provide at least one
piece of evidence from the
passage to back your claim.