Transcript File

CH 5 History of the
Fertile Crescent
{
7000-5000 B.C.
7.1.1 Identify and compare the rise of early agricultural
river valley civilization in Africa and Asia.
7.1.3. Trace steps in the development of written language,
including the evolution of Sumerian cuneiform, Egyptian
hieroglyphics, and Chinese calligraphy.
7.3.11 Identify and explain the importance of early cultural
hearths in the Nile River Valley. Mesopotamia, the Indus
River Valley, and the Huang River Valley.
What picture/thoughts comes to your mind when you hear
the world Fertile Crescent?
Section 1: Geography of the Fertile Crescent
Fertile Crescent – a large arc of rich, or fertile
farmland.
Mesopotamia- “means between two rivers”
What two land features give Mesopotamia its name?
Tigris and Euphrates River
Silt- a mixture of rich soil and tiny rocks.
It made it ideal for farming in Mesopotam
Why is farming important?
Farming and Cities
12,000 to 10,000 BC Hunters and gatherers began to settle in
the Fertile Crescent
By 7000 BC Farming Settlements were being established in
Mesopotamia.
WATER MATTERS
H20 Mesopotamia Irrigation
Irrigation- a way of supplying water to an area of
land.
Canals- human made waterways
Due to irrigation the people of Mesopotamia were able to grow more food.
FOOD SURPLUS- meaning more than enough needed.
Food surplus allowed some people to stop farming and devote their time to other jobs.
DIVISION OF LABOR- is a type of arrangement in which each work
specializes in a particular task or job.
What would you devote your time to if you did not
have to work?
What was developed due to the better farming
practices, food surpluses and division of labor?
THE CITY
The Rise of Ancient
Civilization
Farmland
Improved Irrigation
Food Surplus
Division of Labor
Civilization
*once needs are met you can focus on
higher levels of development
Section 2 The Rise of
Sumer
The Sumerians created the world’s first
advanced society.
Religion played a major role in
Sumerian society.
The Sumerians developed the first civilization in
Mesopotamia.
3000 BC Sumer
State
st
1
City-
City-State of Sumer
city-state – a central city and all the country side around it.
Sumer had 10,000 residents and grew to
100,000 by 2000 BC.
Empire- land with different territories and people under
a single ruler.
City of Ur
Sargon 2334 – 2279 BC
Who was he?
A man who rebelled
and used a permanent
army to defeat the city
states of Sumer
Who’d did he rule?
The Akkadians
How did he affect the region?
He held the Empire together for over 50 years under one Empire with a strong
army.
religion (Sumerian culture)- was the basis for all Sumerian
society
Priests- people who performed religious
ceremonies
Polytheism- belief and worship of more than one god
Sumerian Religion
What does Polytheism
mean?
Many gods
Social Hierarchy
The division of society by rank or class
1. Royalty
2. Priest
3. Skilled
Craftspeople,
Merchants, and
Traders
4.Farmers and
Laborers
5. Slaves
Men
Held political power
Educated
Warriors
Women
Could be educated if royal or part of
the upper class
Priestess
Took care of the home and
children
Enheduanna
Daughter of Sargon
High Priestess
of the Moon
god
First known female write in history
Wrote verses to the gods