Transcript Section 1

Chapter 3
Mesopotamia
Chapter 3 Section 1
Geography of the
Fertile Crescent
Chapter 3 Timeline
7000 BC
c. 2350-2330 BC
c. 1770 BC
Agriculture
first develops
in
Mesopotamia
Sargon of
Akkad
conquers
Mesopotamia
and forms the
world’s first
empire
Hammurabi of
Babylon issues
a written code
of law
c. 1000 BC
Phoenicians
trade all around
the
Mediterranean
Section 1: Geography of the Fertile Crescent
The Big Idea
The valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers were the site of the world’s first
civilizations.
Main Ideas
• The rivers of Southwest Asia supported
the growth of civilizations.
• New farming techniques led to the growth
of cities.
Rise of Civilizations Review
Early Stone Ages
(Paleolithic and Mesolithic Era)
• Nomads
• Hunter-gathers
• Simple Tools and
Weapons
Neolithic Period
•
•
•
•
Agriculture Revolution
Farmers
Domesticated Animals
Establishment of
Villages
Development of Civilizations
• Civilization is a complex culture in which
large numbers of human beings share a
variety of common elements
Characteristics of a Civilization
1. An urban focus: The city becomes a political,
cultural, and social entity.
2. A distinct religious structure
3. A new political and military structure
4. A new social structure based on economic
power
5. Agriculture plays a critical but subordinate role
6. Has a large population and controls a large
territory
7. Forms of significant artistic and literate activity
8. They utilize metalworking
Mesopotamia's Contributions
to the West
This is where the advancement of agriculture and
commerce, the horse and wagon, the coinage and
letters of credit, the crafts and industries, the law and
government, the mathematics and medicine, the
enemas and drainage system, the geometry and
astronomy, the calendar and clock and zodiac, the
alphabet and writing, the paper and ink, the books and
libraries and schools, the literature and music, the
sculpture and architecture, the glazed pottery and fine
furniture,, the cosmetics and jewelry, the checkers and
dice, the ten-pins and income-tax, the midwife and
even beer…Greece did not begin civilization-it inherited
far more civilization than it began…In studying and
honoring the Near East we shall be acknowledging a
debt long due to the real founders of European and
American civilization
• Will Durant, The Story of Civilization
Why Mesopotamia First?
• Civilizations would develop if people had a
steady food supply, then people began to
develop complex societies. Mesopotamia
became a thriving civilization because it
was located along the Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers.
The rivers of Southwest Asia
supported the growth of
civilizations.
• Early people would settle where crops
would grow.
• Crops usually grew well near river, where
water was available and regular floods
made the soil rich.
• Such an area existed in Southwest Asia
between two rivers.
The Land Between the Rivers
• The Tigris and
Euphrates rivers are
the most important
physical features of
the region known as
Mesopotamia.
• Mesopotamia
means “between
the rivers” in Greek.
• Mesopotamia is part
of a larger area of
rich farmland called
the Fertile Crescent.
The Euphrates River-1,740 miles
Its name is derived from the Sumerian word for trade
Tigris River- 1,150 miles
Received its name from the Sumerians for being a swift river
Fertile Crescent
• Mesopotamia was divided into two regions
in ancient times: northern and southern
Mesopotamia.
• The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flowed
down from the northern hills and mountains
into the southern plains.
Fertile crescent – a large arc of rich, or
fertile, farmland
It extends from the Persian Gulf to the
Mediterranean Sea
Fertile Crescent
Northern and Southern Mesopotamia
Zagros Mountains-East
Syrian Desert-West
Southern Marshes
Rise of Mesopotamia
• Annual floods on the Tigris and Euphrates
rivers brought silt that made the land ideal
for farming.
• Silt is a mixture of rich soil and tiny rocks.
• The first farm settlements appeared around
7000 BC. They grew wheat and barley and
raised livestock.
Rise of Mesopotamia
• Plentiful food led to population growth and
then the formation of villages.
• These villages later developed into the
world’s first civilizations. (VC)
Farming and Cities
• Farming wasn’t easy
• Flooding would occur
when a great amount of
rain fell in Asia
Minor/Northern
Mesopotamia where the
two rivers began.
• Flooding would destroy
crops, livestock, and
homes.
• When water levels were
to low, droughts would
occur.
New farming techniques led to
the growth of cities.
• Farmers used
irrigation and
canals as a way
to control river
flow.
• Irrigation is a
way of
supplying water
to an area of
land
New farming techniques led to
the growth of cities.
• They dug out large
storage basins to
hold water supplies
to irrigate the land
(VC)
• Then they dug
canals, which
connected the
basins to a network
of ditches, which
would then control
the rivers flow.
New farming techniques led to
the growth of cities.
• Also farmers built banks along the rivers to
hold back the floodwaters.
Food Surpluses
• Irrigation increased the amount of food
farmers produced.
• Increased amounts of food led to
surpluses, which meant that fewer people
needed to farm.
• Surplus – more than they needed
• Farmers also used irrigation to water
grazing areas for cattle and sheep.
Division of Labor
• Fewer people needed to
farm, so they took on other
roles and jobs.
• As a result new
occupations developed,
people became artisans,
priests, and bureaucrats. A
division of labor is created.
• Division of Labor – type of
arrangement in which each
worker specializes in a
particular task or job
The Appearance of Cities
• Because of division of labor, large projects
were undertaken.
• Large projects required specialized
workers, managers, and organization.
• Which led to the need for structure and
rules. This was provided by laws and
government.
• Settlements began to grow in size, creating
cities between 4000 and 3000 B.C.
Summary Assignment: Why was
Mesopotamia an ideal place for a
civilization to develop?
• Mesopotamia was in the Fertile Crescent,
an area of rich farmland. With a surplus of
food, the population grew. People built
cities and developed governments and
cultures
Questions (page 54-57)
Cambridge answer in a complete sentence
1. What does Mesopotamia mean? On
what rivers did Mesopotamia develop?
2. What is the Fertile Crescent?
3. When were the first farming settlements
established in Mesopotamia?
4. How did irrigation help farmers?
5. What effects did irrigation have on
farming settlements?
River Valley Civilizations pages 58-59