Transcript Ancient Sumer

Ancient Sumer
Geography
 The
World’s first civilization Sumer, developed
in Mesopotamia “ land between the rivers.”
 Located between the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers, Sumer was known for its rich soils and
golden wheat fields.
 Flooding was a problem.
 The Sumerians built dikes and irrigation ditches
to water their fields and protect their homes.
Civilization
 The
Sumerians used clay and water to build
their cities.
 Besides farming, trade was the main focus of
their economy.
 Trade goods have been found in places as far
away as Egypt and India.
 Within a few hundred years of its beginning,
Sumer included at least 12 separate city-states.
 Each
city-state had a single ruler who ran the
city.
 Social order-1.Ruling Family, 2.Leading
Officials and Priests, 3.Scribes,Merchants, and
artisans,4.Farmers,5. Slaves.
 Women had less status than men but female
gods were highly honored.
 The Sumerians worshipped many gods and
each city had a ziggurat, a big temple in the
middle of the city.
Writing
 By
3200 B.C., Sumerians had invented
cuneiform.
 It grew out of pictographs used to record goods
brought to temple storehouses.
 As time went on, the Sumerians used it to
record myths, prayers, laws, and business
contracts.
 Sumerian Scribes went through years of difficult
schooling to acquire their skills.
Legacy
 Their
accomplishments:
 1.Number system based on an hour being 60
minutes and a circle being 360 degrees.
 2.The beginnings of basic algebra and
geometry.
 3.An accurate calendar
 4. Writing System and the wheel
 5.Eclipses of the Sun and Moon.
 6.Oldest Story-The Epic of Gilgamesh
World Response
 Why
did the Egyptians place so much
emphasis on the preparation for the afterlife?
Give me your opinion. (1-2 paragraphs)
 http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/gods/story/main.
html
 What types of information about Ancient Egypt
can we learn from colossal monuments such as
the Steppe Pyramid or the Great Pyramid of
Gaza? (1-2 paragraphs)
The Old Kingdom 2575-2130 B.C.
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The era of the Pyramids
The Pharaohs(kings) established a strong,
centralized state.
The Pharaohs ruled by means of a bureaucracy.
The vizier was the Pharaohs chief minister and gave
instructions to thousands of scribes.
Social Order: 1. Pharaoh 2. Nobles 3. Merchants and
Scribes 4. Peasants (most of the population)
Crop Failures, Power struggles, and cost of building of
the Pyramids brought an end to the Old Kingdom.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/exploreancient-egypt.html
The Middle Kingdom 1938-1630
B.C.
 An
era of Chaos
 Egypt had problems with food and nobles who
wanted more power.
 Egypt did end the privileges of nobles,
expanded its borders, and established trade
contacts with people outside of Egypt.
 In 1700 B.C., Egypt was conquered by the
Hyksos.
 After 100 years of rule, the Egyptians drove out
the Hyksos.
½ Response
What do you think was Ancient
Egypt’s greatest accomplishment
and why?
The New Kingdom 1539-1075 B.C.
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Egypt at the height of its power
Powerful rulers like Thutmose III and Ramses II
expanded Egypt’s borders and made it a great empire.
Main rival was the Hittites with whom Egypt made the
world’s first known peace treaty with in 1258 B.C.
Egypt slowly declined after 1100 B.C. and was
conquered many times.
Last Egyptian rulers were replaced by the Greeks in
323 B.C.
The Romans officially ended Egyptian culture when
they took over in 30 B.C.
India and China
 Both
lands have had advanced civilizations that
lasted for thousands of years.
 Both lands represent Eastern Civilization (we
are Western Civilization).
 These lands have always had a larger
population base.
 The people have completely different outlooks
on life then we do.
 Both lands are growing economically today.
Religions and Philosophies of India
and China Foldable
 I.
Hinduism pg.76-78 (list 7 things)
 II. Buddhism pg.79-82 (list 10 things)
 III. Confucianism pg.96-98 (list 8 things)
 IV. Daoism pg.98 (list 5 things)
 Need five areas with the title page as named
above.