Mesopotamia

Ancient Civilizations

A complex societyCitiesOrganized governmentArt, religion, classesWriting system

How has this civilization influenced us today?

Civilization

What is current day IraqSouthern partBetween Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Earliest known civilization

Land between the riversPart of the fertile crescent – Mediterranean to

Persian Gulf

Mesopotamia

Around 3500 bceIn Middle East (between Europe and Asia)Between the Tigress and Euphrates RiversHot dry climateRivers flood in spring and leave behind rich

soil for farmingArea called Sumer in southern Mesopotamia

Geography

PolytheisticGods blessed cropsEach god had power over a natural force or

human activity (e.g. flooding or basket weaving)

Built temples – zigguratPriests and priestesses were powerful

Religion

Built dams and channels to control flooding of the rivers

IrrigationCuneiform writingEpic of GilgameshInventions

Wagon wheelPlowSailboat

Mathematical ideas

Achievements

Created number system60 minute hour60 second minute360 degree circle

Astronomy12 month calendar Assyrians

Erected large temples and palacesWall carvings and statuesProduced and collected literature – first library

Achievements continued

ChaldeansCity of BabylonHanging GardensAstronomersFirst sundialSeven-day week

Hittitesiron

More Achievements

SumerCity states developed Priests may have ruled

Akkadians attacked under Sargon (2340 bce)First empireHammurabi created Babylonian Empire (present

day BagdhadCreated law code

Assyrians – 1,000 years after HammurabiLarge well organized armyStrong rulersBuilt roads

Politics

Cruel treatment under the Assyrians led to rebellions

Chaldeans captured Ninevah 612 bce ended Assyrian empireNebuchadnezzar leader

Politics continued

Sumer FarmersTraded wheat and barley for copper, tin and

timberMen head of household/women could buy and

sell property and own businessesChaldeans

Babylon became the world’s largest and richest city

Traveling merchants - caravans

Economics

Social Structures