Dating EventsDating Events BC= Before ChristBC= Before Christ AD= Anno Domini (In the year of our Lord)AD= Anno Domini (In the year of our Lord)

BCE= Before Common EraBCE= Before Common Era CE= Common EraCE= Common Era

Why the change?Why the change?

We are presently 2014 AD or CE.We are presently 2014 AD or CE.

Something that happened 1,000 BC Something that happened 1,000 BC happened how long ago?happened how long ago?

MesopotamiaMesopotamiaCh. 3Ch. 3

You and your classmates are on a deserted island. Would you be a You and your classmates are on a deserted island. Would you be a civilization?civilization?

1. Would you have a government? If yes, 1. Would you have a government? If yes,

please describe.please describe.2. What one item would each person bring and why?2. What one item would each person bring and why?3. What jobs would each person on the island do? How 3. What jobs would each person on the island do? How does this make an economy?does this make an economy?4. What would you be wearing and how would you get 4. What would you be wearing and how would you get the needed materials?the needed materials?5. What skills do you possess that would contribute to 5. What skills do you possess that would contribute to your group?your group?6. Would your group get along? Why or Why not?6. Would your group get along? Why or Why not?7. How long do you think you would survive? Explain 7. How long do you think you would survive? Explain why.why.8. What would I find on your island in two years? 8. What would I find on your island in two years? Explain why.Explain why.

What is a civilization?What is a civilization?

Writing System Writing System GovernmentGovernment ReligionReligion Towns Towns Permanent sheltersPermanent shelters Food producersFood producers TechnologyTechnology Able to adapt to or change environmentAble to adapt to or change environment Specialization of laborSpecialization of labor

The invention of Agriculture The invention of Agriculture changed the way people lived.changed the way people lived.

Agriculture (Farming)Agriculture (Farming)

Growth of CitiesGrowth of Cities

Division of Labor Division of Labor (Specialization)(Specialization)

TradeTrade

Writing and MathematicsWriting and Mathematics

I. Rise of SumerI. Rise of Sumer

Civilization began here in 3500BC Why?Civilization began here in 3500BC Why? Tigris and Euphrates RiversTigris and Euphrates Rivers LifeLife

– First writing system-CuneiformFirst writing system-Cuneiform– Controlled their environmentControlled their environment

Used irrigationUsed irrigationLevees Levees Used mud bricks for Used mud bricks for

Sumer continuedSumer continued

– City states formed City states formed City with surrounding farmlandCity with surrounding farmlandCities made of mud brickCities made of mud brickZiggurat (Temple)Ziggurat (Temple)Walls built around citiesWalls built around cities

– ReligionReligionPolytheisticPolytheisticHad to please godsHad to please godsKings served as religious leadersKings served as religious leaders

Ziggurat – Holy Mountain – Holy Mountain

Click on the pictures for more information on ziggurats.Click on the pictures for more information on ziggurats.

Sumerian Religion

Sumerians worshipped many gods, not just one. This belief in many gods is called polytheism. “Poly” means many and “Theism” means gods.

The picture above shows a ziggurat. Ziggurats were the main temples used to worship the gods of a city. Ziggurats were built in the center of the city. They had steps and ramps, and it was believed that the gods descended to the Earth using the ziggurat as a ladder.

A Sumerian CitySumerian city streets were so narrow that you could hardly get a cart through them.

Sumerian houses faced away from crowded streets. Instead, they faced onto courtyards where families ate and children played.

Narrow Streets

Courtyard Area

Ziggurat- Mountain of GodZiggurat- Mountain of God

What is an Empire?What is an Empire?

Why would someone want to rule an Why would someone want to rule an Empire?Empire?

World ConquerorsWorld Conquerors– Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great– NapoleonNapoleon– CharlemagneCharlemagne– Julius CeasarJulius Ceasar– Atilla the Hun Atilla the Hun

II. Mesopotamian EmpiresII. Mesopotamian Empires

Advantages vs DisadvantagesAdvantages vs Disadvantages

People for armyPeople for army More tax moneyMore tax money More natural More natural

resourcesresources Trade opportunitiesTrade opportunities Job opportunitiesJob opportunities

Waste disposalWaste disposal DefenseDefense Helping needyHelping needy Protecting bordersProtecting borders Governing over the Governing over the

people fairlypeople fairly

Empires con’tEmpires con’t

Hammurabi- Hammurabi- – Babylonian EmpireBabylonian Empire– Wanted people happy under his ruleWanted people happy under his rule

Improved irrigation systemsImproved irrigation systemsAdopted Sumerian language and religionAdopted Sumerian language and religionGovernment housing programGovernment housing programGod of Babylon became main GodGod of Babylon became main GodCode of law establishedCode of law establishedHammurabis Code Review

Ishtar Gate- Babylon’s main Ishtar Gate- Babylon’s main entranceentrance

III. Contributions of the Ancient III. Contributions of the Ancient MesopotamiansMesopotamians

Writing SystemWriting System SchoolsSchools

– Learn writing and mathLearn writing and math Wheel- see next pageWheel- see next page SailSail PlowPlow CalendarCalendar Tools made of bronze(copper and tin)Tools made of bronze(copper and tin) Literature- story of GilgameshLiterature- story of Gilgamesh

– Searching for immortalitySearching for immortality 24 hour day, 60 minutes, and 60 seconds24 hour day, 60 minutes, and 60 seconds Game backgammonGame backgammon

2. Invention of the Wheel    

 Up till now, it is still a mystery as to who invented the wheel and when the wheel was invented. According to archaeologists, it was probably invented in around 8,000 B.C. in Asia. The oldest wheel known however, was discovered in Mesopotamia and probably dates back to 3,500 B.C. This wheel was believed to have been made by the Sumerians. It was made of planks of wood joined together. The picture below briefly describes the stages of development of the wheel.

                                        

            Stage one: Early men placed rollers beneath heavy objects so that they could be moved easily. Stage two: Early men began to place runners under a heavy load, which they discovered would make it easier for the load to drag. This was the invention of the sledge. Stage three: Men began to combine the roller and the sledge. As the sledge moved forward over the first roller, a second roller was placed under the front end to carry the load when it moved off the first roller. A model of a sledge with such rollers is in the Smithsonian Institution. Stage four: Soon, men discovered that the rollers which carried the sledge became grooved with use. They soon discovered that these deep grooves actually allowed the sledge to advance a greater distance before the next roller was needed to come on! Thus, in Stage five: The rollers were changed into wheels. In the process of doing so, wood between the grooves of the roller were cut away to form an axle and wooden pegs were fastened to the runners on each side of the axle. When the wheels turn, the axle turned too in the space between the pegs. The first wooden cart was thus made. Stage six: A slight improvement was made to the cart. This time, instead of using pegs to join the wheels to the axle, holes for the axle were drilled through the frame of the cart. Axle and wheels were now made separately.