Early River Valley Early River Valley CivilizationsCivilizations

MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Ms. SaucedoMs. Saucedo

MesopotamiaMesopotamiapresent day Iraqpresent day Iraq

►Fertile Crescent- rich region of land Fertile Crescent- rich region of land shaped like a crescent shaped like a crescent

RiversRivers

►Tigris and Euphrates Tigris and Euphrates ►Flow into the Persian GulfFlow into the Persian Gulf►Between the two rivers is a plain that Between the two rivers is a plain that

became known as Mesopotamia.became known as Mesopotamia.►Mesopotamia means “Land between Mesopotamia means “Land between

the Rivers” in Greek.the Rivers” in Greek.

Fertile CrescentFertile Crescent

Tigris RiverTigris River

Euphrates RiverEuphrates River

SiltSilt

►The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flooded The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flooded once a year. once a year.

►As the flood-water receded, it left a thick As the flood-water receded, it left a thick bed of mud called silt. bed of mud called silt.

►This left rich, new soil.This left rich, new soil.►Farmers could plant and harvest Farmers could plant and harvest

enormous amounts of wheat and barley. enormous amounts of wheat and barley. ►The surplus from their harvests allowed The surplus from their harvests allowed

villages to grow. villages to grow.

WheatWheat

BarleyBarley

PeoplePeople

►People began to settle Mesopotamia in People began to settle Mesopotamia in 4500 BC. 4500 BC.

►Approximately 1,000 years later, the Approximately 1,000 years later, the Sumerians settled in the area. Sumerians settled in the area.

►The language and culture became The language and culture became Sumerian. Sumerian.

Environmental ChallengesEnvironmental Challenges

►First, flooding of rivers was First, flooding of rivers was unpredictable. unpredictable.

► If it came in April, it was early. If it came in April, it was early. ► If it came in June, it was late. If it came in June, it was late. ►Also, after the floods receded, the hot Also, after the floods receded, the hot

sun quickly dried out the mud, turning sun quickly dried out the mud, turning it into a desert area. it into a desert area.

Flooding of TigrisFlooding of Tigris

►Second, Sumer was a small region, Second, Sumer was a small region, about the size of Massachusetts. about the size of Massachusetts.

►The villages were little clusters of reed The villages were little clusters of reed huts in the open plain. huts in the open plain.

►There were no natural barriers for There were no natural barriers for protection.protection.

►Third, natural resources were limited. Third, natural resources were limited. ►There was not a good supply of stone, There was not a good supply of stone,

wood, and metal.wood, and metal.

Solutions Solutions

►Advanced irrigation systemAdvanced irrigation system Dug ditches to carry water into their fields Dug ditches to carry water into their fields

from the reservoir over a mile away. from the reservoir over a mile away. Provided Ur with food surplus, which kept Provided Ur with food surplus, which kept

the economy thriving the economy thriving Government officials planed and directed Government officials planed and directed

this as a public works projectthis as a public works project

►They built city walls with mud bricks They built city walls with mud bricks for defense. for defense.

►Sumerians also traded with other Sumerians also traded with other people of the mountains and desert for people of the mountains and desert for products they lacked. products they lacked.

►They traded grain, cloth, and crafted They traded grain, cloth, and crafted tools in exchange for stone, wood, and tools in exchange for stone, wood, and metal.metal.

Government OrganizesGovernment Organizes

►These activities required organization, These activities required organization, cooperation, and leadership. cooperation, and leadership.

► It took people working together to It took people working together to build the irrigation systems. build the irrigation systems.

►Leaders were needed to plan projects Leaders were needed to plan projects and supervise diggers. and supervise diggers.

►These projects also required laws to These projects also required laws to settle disputes over how land and settle disputes over how land and water should be distributed. water should be distributed.

City-StatesCity-States

►The Sumerians had built a number of The Sumerians had built a number of cities, each surrounded by fields of cities, each surrounded by fields of barley and wheat. barley and wheat.

►Although, they shared the same Although, they shared the same culture, each city developed their own culture, each city developed their own government, with its own rulers. government, with its own rulers.

►They functioned like independent They functioned like independent countries do today. countries do today.

City StatesCity States

►UrukUruk►KishKish►LagashLagash►UmmaUmma►And UrAnd Ur

Civilization in URCivilization in UR

►Ur, one of the earliest cities in Sumer, Ur, one of the earliest cities in Sumer, began on the banks of the Euphrates began on the banks of the Euphrates River. River.

►30,000 people lived in this ancient 30,000 people lived in this ancient city. city. Priests and rulersPriests and rulers Wealthy merchantsWealthy merchants Artists and artisansArtists and artisans

►At the center of all Sumerian cities was At the center of all Sumerian cities was the ziggurat (temple).the ziggurat (temple).

►There the priests appealed to the gods There the priests appealed to the gods for the well-being of the city-state.for the well-being of the city-state.

Ziggurat (Temple)Ziggurat (Temple)

Made to worship Moon God, Made to worship Moon God, NannaNanna

Historical Monument in IraqHistorical Monument in Iraq

U.S. soldiers visit monument in U.S. soldiers visit monument in IraqIraq

Sumerian Early GovernmentSumerian Early Government

►Controlled by the temple priestsControlled by the temple priests►Farmers believed that the success of Farmers believed that the success of

their crops depended on the blessings their crops depended on the blessings of the gods.of the gods.

►The priests acted as ‘go-betweens’ for The priests acted as ‘go-betweens’ for the gods and the farmers. the gods and the farmers.

►Ziggurats were also city halls.Ziggurats were also city halls.►From the ziggurats, the priests From the ziggurats, the priests

managed the irrigation system. managed the irrigation system. ►They also demanded a portion of every They also demanded a portion of every

farmer’s crop as taxes. farmer’s crop as taxes.

Monarchs take controlMonarchs take control

► In time of war, men of the city chose a In time of war, men of the city chose a tough fighter to lead the army. tough fighter to lead the army.

►Typically, the commander’s power Typically, the commander’s power ended when the war was over. ended when the war was over.

►As wars became more frequent, As wars became more frequent, military leaders became full-time military leaders became full-time rulers. rulers.

DynastiesDynasties

►The leaders passed their power to The leaders passed their power to their sons. their sons.

►The sons passed the power onto their The sons passed the power onto their own heirs. own heirs.

►A series of rulers from a single family A series of rulers from a single family is called a ‘Dynasty’. is called a ‘Dynasty’.

►Between 3000 and 2500 BC, many Between 3000 and 2500 BC, many Sumerian cities came under the rule of Sumerian cities came under the rule of dynasties. dynasties.

TradeTrade

►Due to their surplus of food, Sumerians Due to their surplus of food, Sumerians increased long-distance trade. increased long-distance trade.

►They exchanged food and other goods They exchanged food and other goods for items they needed. for items they needed.

►As their trade expanded, the As their trade expanded, the Sumerians came into contact with Sumerians came into contact with other people, and their ideas spread. other people, and their ideas spread.

►The Sumerians absorbed new ideas, The Sumerians absorbed new ideas, like religion. like religion.

Cultural Diffusion Cultural Diffusion

►The process of a new idea or a product The process of a new idea or a product spreading from one culture to another spreading from one culture to another is called cultural diffusion. is called cultural diffusion.

Polytheism – belief in many Polytheism – belief in many godsgods

►Enlil, the god of clouds and air was the Enlil, the god of clouds and air was the most powerful.most powerful.

►The lowest of all gods were wicked The lowest of all gods were wicked demons who caused disease and demons who caused disease and misfortune. misfortune.

EnlilEnlil

Gods of Sumerian CultureGods of Sumerian Culture

Sumerian GodsSumerian Gods

► An: The god of heavenAn: The god of heaven► Ki: The goddess of the earth. Ki: The goddess of the earth. ► Enlil: The god of the air Enlil: The god of the air ► Enki: The god of water, fertility and Enki: The god of water, fertility and

knowledge; knowledge; ► Inanna: The goddess of sexual love and Inanna: The goddess of sexual love and

female fertility; female fertility; ►Ninurta: The god of war, agriculture, one of Ninurta: The god of war, agriculture, one of

the Sumerian wind gods; the Sumerian wind gods; ► Utu: The god of the sun. Utu: The god of the sun. ►Nanna, The god of the moon; Nanna, The god of the moon;

Ki – Earth Goddess Ki – Earth Goddess

3,000 gods3,000 gods

► Immortal and all powerfulImmortal and all powerful►Lived as humans – love, children, Lived as humans – love, children,

fights, etc.fights, etc.►The gods could strike at any momentThe gods could strike at any moment

Floods, fires, destroy citiesFloods, fires, destroy cities

►To keep the gods happy, Sumerians To keep the gods happy, Sumerians built ziggurats and offered rich built ziggurats and offered rich sacrifices of animals, food, and wine. sacrifices of animals, food, and wine.

The After LifeThe After Life

►The souls of the dead went to the ‘land The souls of the dead went to the ‘land of no return’of no return’

►No joy awaited the souls there. No joy awaited the souls there.

Sumerian ArtifactsSumerian Artifacts

Pillars carved with CuneiformPillars carved with Cuneiform

Sumerian ArtifactSumerian Artifact

Sumerian JewelrySumerian Jewelry

Epic of GilgameshEpic of Gilgamesh

►Earliest works of literatureEarliest works of literature►The story is about a legendary king, The story is about a legendary king,

Gilgamesh, who is on a quest for Gilgamesh, who is on a quest for immortality. immortality.

►He does not succeed, but the story He does not succeed, but the story offers a glimpse into beliefs and offers a glimpse into beliefs and concerns of the ancient Sumerian. concerns of the ancient Sumerian.

The Tablet of GilgameshThe Tablet of Gilgamesh

Social ClassesSocial Classes

►Priests and KingsPriests and Kings►Wealthy MerchantsWealthy Merchants►Field workers and shop keepersField workers and shop keepers►SlavesSlaves

Typically foreigner captured in warTypically foreigner captured in war Children sold into slavery to pay debts of Children sold into slavery to pay debts of

poor parentspoor parents►By working obediently day and night, By working obediently day and night,

Sumerian slaves could hope to earn freedom. Sumerian slaves could hope to earn freedom.

WomenWomen

►Could pursue most occupations of city lifeCould pursue most occupations of city life Could become a Merchant, Farmer, ArtisanCould become a Merchant, Farmer, Artisan Own property Own property Join lower ranks of priesthoodJoin lower ranks of priesthood Few female scribes- therefore, scholars have Few female scribes- therefore, scholars have

concluded that girls were not allowed to concluded that girls were not allowed to attend the schools where upper-class boys attend the schools where upper-class boys learned to read and write.learned to read and write.

Technology Technology

►WheelWheel► SailSail► PlowPlow► First to use BronzeFirst to use Bronze► Astronomy, Astronomy,

chemistry, medicalchemistry, medical

► Arithmetic, Arithmetic, geometry geometry

►Number systemNumber system► 60 seconds = 1 60 seconds = 1

minuteminute► 360 degrees of a 360 degrees of a

circlecircle

ArchitectureArchitecture

►Greatly influenced Mesopotamian Greatly influenced Mesopotamian Civilization. Civilization. ArchesArches ColumnsColumns RampsRamps Pyramid shaped designPyramid shaped design

►Ur dwindled and eventually became a Ur dwindled and eventually became a forgotten city because the Euphrates forgotten city because the Euphrates River changed course. River changed course.

►City of UrCity of Ur

ruinsruins

The World’s First EmpireThe World’s First Empire

►The city states were constantly The city states were constantly attacked.attacked.

►They became weak and were They became weak and were eventually taken over by Sargon of eventually taken over by Sargon of Akkad. Akkad.

►Sargon led his army from Akkad, a city Sargon led his army from Akkad, a city state north of Sumer. state north of Sumer.

►The Akkadians were Semitic. The Akkadians were Semitic. ►They spoke a language similar to They spoke a language similar to

Arabic and Hebrew. Arabic and Hebrew. ►They adopted many aspects of They adopted many aspects of

Sumerian Culture. Sumerian Culture.

►Sargon took control of both northern Sargon took control of both northern and southern Mesopotamia.and southern Mesopotamia.

►He created the world’s first empire. He created the world’s first empire. ►An empire brings together several An empire brings together several

peoples, nations, or previously peoples, nations, or previously independent states under the control independent states under the control of one ruler. of one ruler.

Akkadian EmpireAkkadian Empire

Akkadian EmpireAkkadian Empire

►Reached from Mediterranean Coast in Reached from Mediterranean Coast in the west to present day Iran in the the west to present day Iran in the east. east.

►Sargon’s dynasty lasted 200 years. Sargon’s dynasty lasted 200 years. ► It declined due to internal fighting, It declined due to internal fighting,

invasions, and severe famine. invasions, and severe famine.

Amorites invadeAmorites invade

►SemiticSemitic►Overwhelmed Sumerians and Overwhelmed Sumerians and

established capital at Babylon on the established capital at Babylon on the Euphrates River. Euphrates River.

►Babylonian empire reached its peak Babylonian empire reached its peak during the reign of Hammurabi from during the reign of Hammurabi from 1792-1750 BC.1792-1750 BC.

►Hammurabi’s legacy is the code of laws Hammurabi’s legacy is the code of laws he put together. he put together.

Hammurabi’s CodeHammurabi’s Code

►A single, uniform code unified diverse A single, uniform code unified diverse groups within his empire. groups within his empire.

►The code was engraved in stone and The code was engraved in stone and placed all over his empire. placed all over his empire.

►The code lists 282 specific laws The code lists 282 specific laws dealing with everything that affected dealing with everything that affected the community. the community. Family relationsFamily relations Business conductBusiness conduct CrimeCrime Beliefs Beliefs Property issuesProperty issues

►Set different punishments for rich and Set different punishments for rich and poor and for men and women. poor and for men and women.

►An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, - An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, - the principle of retaliation. the principle of retaliation.

►Reinforced the idea that the Reinforced the idea that the government had a responsibility for government had a responsibility for what occurred in society. what occurred in society.

► If a man was robbed and the thief was If a man was robbed and the thief was not caught, the government was not caught, the government was required to compensate the victim for required to compensate the victim for his loss. his loss.

►““If a man has stolen an ox, a sheep, a If a man has stolen an ox, a sheep, a pig, or a boat that belonged to a temple pig, or a boat that belonged to a temple or palace, he shall repay thirty times its or palace, he shall repay thirty times its cost. If it belonged to a private citizen, cost. If it belonged to a private citizen, he shall repay the times. If the thief he shall repay the times. If the thief cannot pay, he shall by put to death.” cannot pay, he shall by put to death.”

►““If a woman hates her husband and says If a woman hates her husband and says to him ‘You cannot be with me,’ the to him ‘You cannot be with me,’ the authorities in her district will investigate authorities in her district will investigate the case. If she has been chaste and the case. If she has been chaste and without fault, even though her husband without fault, even though her husband has neglected her or belittled her, she has neglected her or belittled her, she will be held innocent and may return to will be held innocent and may return to her father’s house…if the woman is at her father’s house…if the woman is at fault, she shall be thrown into the river.”fault, she shall be thrown into the river.”

Assignment:Assignment:

►Discuss with a partner: If Hammurabi’s Code Discuss with a partner: If Hammurabi’s Code were put into law today, what would be were put into law today, what would be suitable punishment for crimes such as:suitable punishment for crimes such as:

►Graffiti Graffiti ► CheatingCheating► TheftTheft►MurderMurder► ForgeryForgery► Any other crimes you can think ofAny other crimes you can think of