World History

Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia

The Impact of GeographyMesopotamia: The land between the rivers

Tigris and EuphratesThe Fertile Crescent: Larger area (from Med.

Sea to the Persian Gulf)Impact: Rivers deposited silt when they

flooded in late SpringEventually the people learn to control the water

with irrigation and drainage

Fertile Crescent

Akkadia and Sumeria

The SumeriansBy 3000 BC there were a number of

independent cities in Southern Mesopotamia which developed into city-statesThe centerpiece of each of these cities was

the temple which was built on massive stepped tower called a Ziggurat

GovernmentTheocracies: monarchies by divine

authority

Ziggurat

Empires in MesopotamiaEventually these city states fell into conflict

with each other and outside forces2340 BC The Akkadians and their leader

Sargon conquered the region and set up the worlds first Empire (fell in 2100 BC)

1792 BC Hammurabi (leader of the Babylonians gained control of Akad and SumerHammurabi’s Code? (eye for an eye)Patriarchal society

Religion and CreativityReligion: Polytheistic (3000 or more gods

usually associated with natureCreativity:

Writing (Cuneiform) to pass down knowledge and record eventsThe Epic of Gilgamesh (immortality for gods

only)Technology Bronze (copper and tin), wagon

wheel, potters wheel, sundial

Assyrians and Persians

A Mighty Military Machine850 BC, the Assyrians advanced from the

northern part of Mesopotamia Open area, Little protection

Relied on military strength for defense from outside attackAssyrian Empire stretched from north and

east of the Tigris river to Egypt Development of Weapons

Armor, Weapons, Organization

Assyrian Rule650 BC

Height of ruleFell by 612 BC

Organization of conquered areas into empire

Divided into regionsAssyrians choose

rulersTaxes and Tribute

Assyrian CultureAssyrian Kings were

great builders, not just destroyers

NinevehCapital city

Ashurbanipal Great warriorCould read many

languages Library

25,000 clay tablets

Nebuchadnezzar Chaldean King of

Babylon (604-562BC)Restoration of Babylon

Euphrates through the cityWalls

4 Horse Chariot could ride on top

Hanging gardens of BabylonMade for homesick wife75 feet above the groundHydraulic pumps

Babylon fell after Nebuchadnezzar's death to the Persian Empire

Rise of the Persian Empire(559 BC -330 BC)

CyrusRuled from 559-530 BCMilitary genius, but great Administrator Method of governing

Kindness to conquered people Religiously tolerant (opposite of the Assyrians)

Darius (522-486 BC) Created an effective style of administrationEmpire reached its greatest extentReturn to toleration and Cyrus’ style of rule

Provinces and Royal Road Darius was a great

warrior, but his genius was governing 20 provinces

Darius still ruled with absolute powerSatraps (gov’s)

Kings eyes and earsTax collectors

Royal RoadRoyal Road ““Interstate 95”Interstate 95” Ran across the Persian Ran across the Persian

empireempire 1,677 mile long1,677 mile long 111 posts (Rest Stations)111 posts (Rest Stations)

15 miles apart 15 miles apart MessengerMessenger

7 days 7 days Increased trade and Increased trade and

communication communication throughout the empirethroughout the empire