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Early Civilizations

Early Civilizations. Mesopotamia. Map of Mesopotamia. Geography of Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia means: “the land between the rivers”. Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Modern day Iraq Fertile Crescent From the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf Fertile soil Silt deposits, but little rain fall

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Early Civilizations

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  1. Early Civilizations Mesopotamia

  2. Map of Mesopotamia

  3. Geography of Mesopotamia • Mesopotamia means: • “the land between the rivers”. • Tigris and Euphrates Rivers • Modern day Iraq • Fertile Crescent • From the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf • Fertile soil • Silt deposits, but little rain fall • Flooding • Irrigation and drainage ditches • Agriculture is only made possible through irrigation • Bases for a civilization • Constant warfare

  4. The Fertile Crescent

  5. The Sumerians and City-States • First to create civilizations. • Early City States began in 3000 BC. • Eridu, Ur, Uruk, Umma, and Lagash • Cities were surrounded by walls. • Mud bricks used to build. • Very limited wood or stone. • Stilled used today in the Middle East.

  6. Walled City

  7. The Sumerians and City States • Temples were the most important structures. • Religious, political, and economic center. • Gods ruled the cities. • Kings received power from the gods. • Economy was mostly agriculture. • Also included textiles, pottery, and metal work. • Trade with eastern Mediterranean and India. • 3 major social groups: • Nobles • Commoners • Slaves

  8. Culture of Mesopotamia • Cuneiform Writing System. • Wedge-shaped writing. • Helped educated the people. • Recorded history. • The Epic of Gilgamesh on a stone tablet

  9. Cuneiform Writing

  10. Culture of Mesopotamia • Mathematics. • Included geometry. • Based on units of 60. • Astronomy. • 12-month Calendar.

  11. Culture of Mesopotamia • Sumerian art work. Helmet Harp Board Game

  12. Religion of Mesopotamia • Theocracy • “religion rules politics”. • Everything was linked to the gods. • Polytheistic gods. • Au was the god of sky. • Enil was the god of wind. • Enki was the god of earth and water. • Niuhurgage was the god of soil, mountains, & vegetation. • Man was created to work for the gods. • Divination • “inspired by the gods” Enki

  13. Religion of Mesopotamia • Ziggurat • “temple to the gods”. Artist’s depiction of the ziggurat at Ur Modern day picture of what is left of the ziggurat at Ur.

  14. Empires of Mesopotamia • Constant wars occurred throughout Mesopotamia’s history. • Akkadians create the first empire. • Took control in 2340 BC. • Led by Sargon • Warring city-states returned in 2100 BC. • Short lived return of Sumerian rule.

  15. Empires of Mesopotamia • Hammurabi created a new empire in 1792 BC. • Created a new capital in Babylon. • Ended Sumerian politics. • Did not survive after his death.

  16. Empires of Mesopotamia • The Babylonian Empire

  17. The Code of Hammurabi • Strict laws. • Punishment was severe. • Severity depended on your social class. • “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. • Consumer laws. • Land and trade laws. • Civil laws. • Marriage and family laws. • Largest category of laws. • Marriages were arranged.

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