Transcript Notes 1 - Mater Academy Lakes High School

Chapter 4
The First
Civilizations
in Mesopotamia



First developed 300 B.C.
Social class people belonged
to partly depended on their
occupation.
Set up governments to pass
laws, defend their lands, and
carry out large building
projects.

Two Rivers


Earliest civilization
developed in what is now
southern Iraq.
Mesopotamia means “the
land between two rivers”.
Civilization began between
the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers.

Early Valley Dwellers

Historians believe that people
first settled Mesopotamia
about 7000 B.C.
First settlers were hunters
and herders.

Taming the Rivers



Flooded rivers were filled
with silt.
Mesopotamia learned to
build dams to control
seasonal floods.
They created a system know
as irrigation.
Irrigation allowed for
surpluses of food.

Sumer's Civilization
Built the first cities in
Southwest Asia, including
Ur, Uruk, and Eridu.

City-States Arise




Sumerian cities become
independent.
The people of the each city
state made their own goods,
had its own government and
honored its own god.
Most city states were
protected by large walls.
Sumerians used mud as their
main resources for building.
Often city-states went to war
over political borders and
resources.

Gods, Priests, and
Kings


Sumerians were polytheist
believers.
They believed the gods had
different powers over nature,
rain and wind.
They honored whatever god
would help their activity.

Social Groups





Kings, priest, warriors, and
government officials made
up the upper class.
Artisans, farmers, fishers, and
merchants made up the
middle class.
The middles was the largest
social group.
Slaves and criminals made
up the lower class.
Boys went to school and were
trained for specific jobs.
Girls were taught to care for
their homes and children.

Farmers and Traders


Wheat, barley, and dates
were Sumer’s major crops.
They were also skilled metal
works.
Sumerians valued a red stone
called carnelian and a blue
stone named lapis lazuli.

Sumerian
Contributions





Mesopotamia is also know as
“cradle of civilizations”.
Writing was by far Sumerians
greatest contribution.
Created the wheel, sailboat,
chariot, and wooden plow.
They created a place value
system based on 60.
The 60 minute, 60 seconds,
and 360-degree circle we use
today are all ideas that came
from the Sumerians.
They also made a 12 month
Calendar.