Transcript WARM UP
Vocabulary
Fertile Crescent- Area of fertile land between the
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
City-state- City within a certain region that had its
own government, laws, & policies
Dynasty- System of rule passed down from one
generation to another
Cultural diffusion- The mixing of cultures
Polytheism- Belief in more than one God
WARM UP
What one thing is necessary for a city to arise?
What are the 5 characteristics of civilization?
MESOPOTAMIA
River Valley Civilizations
All early river civilizations
are located in River Valleys
“Mesopotamia” means
land between rivers
Mesopotamia
Located between the
Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers
Rivers flooded
Mesopotamia at least
once a year creating
fertile soil called Silt
Area was known as “The
Fertile Crescent”
Existed from about
3000BC-1550
Environmental Disadvantages
Land almost a desert
because of
unpredictable floods
and little to no rain
No natural barriers for
protection
Natural resources were
limited, specifically
building materials
Problems Solved
Irrigation ditches to carry
water from rivers to fields
Built city walls with mud
bricks
Traded goods with people
of mountains and deserts
for raw materials (stone,
wood, metal)
Cultural diffusion-Spread of
ideas or products from one
culture to another
Advanced Cities
Early Mesopotamia
developed as city-states
Each city shared the same
culture but had its own
government and rulers
City States often fought one
another
Ur was most significant
Sargon of Akkad united all
of the city states and created
the first empire
Empire brings peoples, nations
or states under the control of
one ruler
Babylonian Empire
2000 B.C. nomadic
warriors known as
Amorites invade the
region
Take control of Sumer
Create capital on the
Euphrates River, called
Babylon
Empire at strongest with
Hammurabi as leader
Specialized Workers
Food Surpluses provided
the opportunity for
specialization
People became artisans,
potters, weavers, jewelers,
scribes, gov’t officials &
priests
Merchants would trade
goods for food
Created Cultural Diffusion
Slaves
Soldiers
Technology
Bronze Age began here
Invented the wheel, sail
and plow
Irrigation Systems
Developed number system
& first form of writingcuneiform
Advanced in medicine,
astronomy and chemistry
Architecture- Ziggurat
Iron Tools
Complex Institutions
Religion was polytheistic
Believed humans were
gods servants
After life was harshUnderworld
Ziggurat served as the City
Hall or center of City Life
Priests performed rituals
Housed offerings to Gods
Bridge between heaven and
earth
Complex Institutions
Early Govt’s were a
Theocracy
Gov’t run by Religious
Leaders
Monarchies eventually
develop leading to
Dynasties
Assyrian Empire
introduced large, strong
military
Record Keeping
Sumerian Cities each had their
own laws
King Hammurabi of the
Babylonian Empire unified all of
the Cities under one Code of
Law – Hammurabi’s Code
Code engraved in stone that
were placed all over empire
Protected women and children
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth
mentality
Cuneiform
gov’t officials document taxes,
laws and grain storage
Priests created a calendar
Merchants kept track of
payments & debts
Activity
Hammurabi’s Code worksheet and fill in graphic
organizer
Wall Graffiti: Ancient Mesopotamia was a Great
Civilization!
Reflection
Explain how Mesopotamia was able to develop into
a civilization while living in a desert climate.
2. What difficulties were faced by the people in
Mesopotamia?
3. Explain the significance of King Hammurabi.
1.