Download ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA- “THE LAND BETWEEN THE RIVERS”

Bell Ringer
Where was Mesopotamia?
Why was the region of Mesopotamia
so well suited for the growth of a
civilization?
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA“THE LAND BETWEEN TWO
RIVERS”
Objective
- Global Citizens can identify cultural
elements of Mesopotamia
- Global Citizens can evaluate the
importance of government in
Mesopotamia
Agenda
Vocabulary
Review geography and life in
Mesopotamia
Discuss Government
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIAVocabulary
Civilization
Irrigation
City-State
Artisan
Cuneiform
Scribe
Write the definition of each word in
your OWN words and draw a picture
underneath
Mesopotamian Civilization
Mesopotamia’s Civilization
• Civilizations are complex societies
with cities, governments, art,
religion, class divisions, and a
writing system.
• Rivers were important because they
made for good farming conditions.
• They also made it easy for people to
travel and trade.
• Governments were formed because
someone had to make plans and
decisions for the common good. (pages 17–20)
Mesopotamian Civilization
Mesopotamia’s Civilization (cont.)
• Mesopotamia is a flat plain bounded by
the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
• Floods in Mesopotamia were frequent
and unpredictable.
• Farmers learned to control the rivers
with dams and channels.
• They also used the rivers to irrigate, or
water, their crops. (turn to pg 18 for
definition)
(pages 17–20)
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIAGEOGRAPHY
LOCATED BETWEEN THE TIGRISEUPHRATES RIVERS
BOTH RIVERS FLOW INTO THE
PERSIAN GULF
LOCATED IN PRESENT DAY IRAQ
Hot and Dry Climate
Fertile Crescent
Mesopotamia
Which two rivers is
Mesopotamia between?
What is an advantage of living
near a river?
Which modern day country used
to be Mesopotamia?
What is the name of the first civilization
to live in Mesopotamia?
City-States
Independent state made up by
a city and the surrounding land
and villages
•Had its own government and
was not part of any other larger
unit
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIASUMERIAN CITY-STATES
ALWAYS IN CONSTANT
CONFLICT OVER WATER
RIGHTS AND LAND
• Went to war with one
another
• Wanted glory, land, and
water
CREATED WALLS FOR
PROTECTION, WITH
MOATS ALONG THE
OUTSIDE
FARMS WERE LOCATED
ALONG THE OUTSIDE
OF THE CITY
City States
With the rise of cities came the
need for Government.
THINK-Write- DISCUSS
“I agree with this statement because…”
“I disagree with this statement because…”
Though _______makes a good point, I
respectfully disagree because…”
Religion
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIASUMERIAN RELIGION
Ziggurats: pyramid site
of the temple of the
main gods.
– Each city-state had their
own gods and goddesses
– Sun god – most
important.
Life after death was an
extension of life.
Ziggurat – Mountain of
God
Sumerian Religion
Monotheism:
worshiping one god.
– “Mono” – means one
Polytheism: worshiping
many gods.
– “Poly” – means many
Ziggurat
Large pyramid shaped structures
Connected to heaven and earth
Ziggurat: “center for learning and
religion”
Life in Sumer
Ordinary people lived in mud-brick
houses
Most were farmers but some were
artisans
– Skilled workers
3 social classes
– Upper: Kings, Priests, and Government
– Middle: artisans, farmers, dishers
– Low: Slaves
Check for Understanding
Think Pair Share:
Describe the government of
Mesopotamia
Describe the Religion of Mesopotamia
Exit Ticket:
Use the ACES method
A: Answer the question
C: Cite details (use details that
support your Answer)
E: Explain how these details support
your answer
S: Summarize your answer
Sample: Exit Ticket
What was life like for farmers in Mesopotamia?:
A: The life of the farmer in Mesopotamia had its fair share
of problems until they figured out a system for controlling
water
C: According to the text, “The Tigris and Euphrates rivers
surrounding Mesopotamia were unpredictable and would
flood without warning, so the farmers designed irrigation
systems that controlled the water.”
E: Because the rivers were unpredictable, the flooding
could wipe out villages or leave the crops without water for
months, so when farmers learned to control the water, they
did not have to worry as much about flooding.
S: The irrigation system in Mesopotamia helped farmers
learn to control the rivers and helped make them more
successful
Exit Ticket: