Transcript File
The City-States of Ancient Mesopotamia and Hammurabi Day 1 2.1 2.1 Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia • What is the valley that the ancient Greeks spoke of as the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers? –Mesopotamia or the Fertile Crescent • Farming could only be done in ancient Mesopotamia when the people controlled the flow of the rivers-irrigation • Origins remained a mystery • By 3000 BC they had established a number of independent cities in southern Mesopotamia including: – Eridu – Ur – Uruk • These were eventually called City States-basic units of Sumerian civilization • Sumerian cities were surrounded by walls even though little stone or wood was used. – What was used instead that are still used today? • Gods, Goddesses, and Rulers – The most important building in the city would be the Ziggurat. – This temple was for the Gods and only Priest and Priestess could enter –Society as a whole spent lots of their personal wealth on supporting this facility –The Priest who were affiliated with these temples held the power • Sumerians believed that the gods ruled the cities, making the state a theocracy, or a government by divine authority • Eventually ruling power passed into the hands of worldly figure or kings. • Sumerians viewed kingship as a divine right…….what does that mean? • Kings led armies, ruled territory, supervised in the building of public works, and organized irrigation • Gradually the king and his family began to live in lavish homes and palaces Economy and Society • Copper, tin, and timber were all traded or exchanged for dried fish, wool, barley, wheat, and metal goods. • Sumerians were known for their pottery and woolen textiles • Invention of the wheeled cart made trade more accessible Empires • In the north were the Akkadiansleader was Sargon-2340 BC – Officially this is the first empire in history • 1792 BC city-state south of Akkadia named Babylon which was led by Hammurabi The Code of Hammurabi • He is remembered for his law code, a collection of 282 laws • System based on a strict code of justice • Work on hand out (Pg. 41) and start your unit sheet • Next home work is to read Chapter 2 section 2 or 2.2 in your book…have a great weekend