MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Chapter 2Chapter 2

Sections 1-2Sections 1-2

I.) The Influence of GeographyI.) The Influence of Geography

The Fertile Cresent was a ‘crossroads’The Fertile Cresent was a ‘crossroads’ Mesopotamia means ‘between the rivers’Mesopotamia means ‘between the rivers’ Villagers continually worked to control the Villagers continually worked to control the

floods, but they could not – unstablefloods, but they could not – unstable The Epic of GilgameshThe Epic of Gilgamesh (creation story (creation story

from earlier) was written in Mesopotamiafrom earlier) was written in Mesopotamia Few natural resources; used clay and Few natural resources; used clay and

bricks to build structuresbricks to build structures

II.) Civilization in Sumerian SocietyII.) Civilization in Sumerian Society

Rulers of city-states had to protect/defendRulers of city-states had to protect/defend Seen as the chief servant of the godsSeen as the chief servant of the gods Distinct social hierarchy – system of Distinct social hierarchy – system of

ranking groupsranking groups High class – ruling family, officials, priestsHigh class – ruling family, officials, priests Middle class – lesser priests, scribes, Middle class – lesser priests, scribes,

merchants, artisansmerchants, artisans Lower class - peasant farmers Lower class - peasant farmers

III.) Sumerian ReligionIII.) Sumerian Religion

Polytheistic – belief in many godsPolytheistic – belief in many gods Ziggurat – large platform topped by a Ziggurat – large platform topped by a

temple dedicated to the city’s chief godtemple dedicated to the city’s chief god Belief in the afterlife – it was a grim Belief in the afterlife – it was a grim

afterlifeafterlife

IV) Sumerian TechnologyIV) Sumerian Technology

Invented writing by 3200 B.C. ; it was Invented writing by 3200 B.C. ; it was called cuneiform (see page 33) called cuneiform (see page 33)

Astronomers (see page 34)Astronomers (see page 34) Number system based on our current Number system based on our current

systemsystem Oral narratives (Epic of Gilgamesh)Oral narratives (Epic of Gilgamesh) All passed down to future westerners and All passed down to future westerners and

invaders….and influence the world today!invaders….and influence the world today!

Chapter 2, Section 2Chapter 2, Section 2

King HammurabiKing Hammurabi

King HammurabiKing Hammurabi Received laws from the sun-god Shamash. (picture)Received laws from the sun-god Shamash. (picture) 1711 to 1669 B.C = golden age of Babylon. 1711 to 1669 B.C = golden age of Babylon. Babylon became the political capital of the EastBabylon became the political capital of the East Highly centralized governmentHighly centralized government Dedicated to the welfare of his people. Dedicated to the welfare of his people. He is best known for his Law Code He is best known for his Law Code

Hammurabi’s Top Ten !!Hammurabi’s Top Ten !!

1. Read Hammurabi’s Rule1. Read Hammurabi’s Rule 2. Read your agenda (rules section)2. Read your agenda (rules section) 3. Imagine Hammurabi is the new dean 3. Imagine Hammurabi is the new dean

(Mr. Wilgus)(Mr. Wilgus) 4. Write his top ten rules. 4. Write his top ten rules. 5. Important things to consider – 5. Important things to consider –

retribution, class, specific consequences, retribution, class, specific consequences, responsibilityresponsibility

Hammurabi, ContinuedHammurabi, Continued

Codified laws – codify = put in writingCodified laws – codify = put in writing Civil law – rights, manners, contracts, Civil law – rights, manners, contracts,

taxes, marriage, divorce, etc; husbands taxes, marriage, divorce, etc; husbands have control, fathers have absolute powerhave control, fathers have absolute power

Criminal law – offenses against others Criminal law – offenses against others were punished in various ways; were punished in various ways; encouraged social orderencouraged social order

Kingdom on the NileKingdom on the Nile (Ch 2, Section 3) (Ch 2, Section 3)

I) Without the Nile, Egypt would be desertI) Without the Nile, Egypt would be desert Nile protects Egypt from invasionNile protects Egypt from invasion Nile limits settlementsNile limits settlements ““Black land” vs. “Red Land”Black land” vs. “Red Land” Annual floods helped farmersAnnual floods helped farmers Upper Egypt (Southern Egypt)Upper Egypt (Southern Egypt) Lower Egypt (Northern Egypt)Lower Egypt (Northern Egypt)

II ) Egyptian “Kingdoms”II ) Egyptian “Kingdoms” Old KingdomOld Kingdom

Pharaohs rule by Pharaohs rule by bureaucracybureaucracy – a system of – a system of government that includes levels of authoritygovernment that includes levels of authority

The great pyramids are builtThe great pyramids are built

Middle KingdomMiddle Kingdom ‘‘turbulent’ periodturbulent’ period Egypt was ruled by the HyksosEgypt was ruled by the Hyksos

New KingdomNew Kingdom Conquered Nubia (Trading partner in the south)Conquered Nubia (Trading partner in the south) Poweful rulers; Hatshepsut was female pharaohPoweful rulers; Hatshepsut was female pharaoh

Group presentations!!Group presentations!! 1 - Chief Gods and Godesses1 - Chief Gods and Godesses 2 - A Pharaoh tries to reshape religion2 - A Pharaoh tries to reshape religion 3 - Proving oneself to Osiris3 - Proving oneself to Osiris 4 - Mummification and Tutankamen4 - Mummification and Tutankamen 5 - Most people were farmers5 - Most people were farmers 6 - Changes to Social Structure/Egyptian Women6 - Changes to Social Structure/Egyptian Women 7 - Keeping written records7 - Keeping written records 8 - Clues of the Rosetta Stone8 - Clues of the Rosetta Stone 9 - Science and Mathematics9 - Science and Mathematics 10 - Egyptian Arts10 - Egyptian Arts 11 - Egyptian Literature11 - Egyptian Literature

What’s in a Slide?What’s in a Slide?

Key points, vocabularyKey points, vocabulary Pictures !Pictures ! Use ONE source besides your book (talk Use ONE source besides your book (talk

about it in your presentation!)about it in your presentation!) Take notes during other presentationsTake notes during other presentations

CreationCreation

In the beginning, there was only chaos. This chaos was In the beginning, there was only chaos. This chaos was named Apophis, he was a giant snake god.named Apophis, he was a giant snake god.

Then there was a light a and this light was Re, he fought Then there was a light a and this light was Re, he fought back Apophis and settled Egypt; and so the sun and Egypt back Apophis and settled Egypt; and so the sun and Egypt were born. were born.

Re then created the god of air-Shu, the god of the earth-Re then created the god of air-Shu, the god of the earth-Geb and his wife Nut-goddess of the sky, he also sculpted Geb and his wife Nut-goddess of the sky, he also sculpted humans and placed them in the Nile valley so they cold humans and placed them in the Nile valley so they cold worship him. worship him.

Re was warned that one day a child of Nut and Geb would Re was warned that one day a child of Nut and Geb would over throw him( he was Egypt’s first pharaoh), so he forbid over throw him( he was Egypt’s first pharaoh), so he forbid them from having children on any day of the year.them from having children on any day of the year.

creationcreation

So nut went to the moon god, Khonosu she gambled So nut went to the moon god, Khonosu she gambled with him and each time she won he gave her a little with him and each time she won he gave her a little moon light she did this till she had enough to make 5 moon light she did this till she had enough to make 5 more days. Making the year 365 days long. more days. Making the year 365 days long.

On these five days she gave birth to Isis, Osiris, Set, On these five days she gave birth to Isis, Osiris, Set, Horus, and Nephthys.Horus, and Nephthys.

Son in law of AkhenatonSon in law of Akhenaton Died and was mummified at 19Died and was mummified at 19 Had birth defects such as malaria and a bone Had birth defects such as malaria and a bone

disorder from incestdisorder from incest

King TutankhamenKing Tutankhamen

Took 70 daysTook 70 days Is the preservation of dead bodies by embalming Is the preservation of dead bodies by embalming

them and wrapping them in cloththem and wrapping them in cloth Was discovered because of King TutWas discovered because of King Tut Started out with nobles and pharaohs and then was Started out with nobles and pharaohs and then was

used by ordinary Egyptiansused by ordinary Egyptians

MummificationMummification

• Most Egyptians were peasant famers• Their main crops were emmer wheat and barley• Women also helped with farming along with their husbands working for soil and repairing the dikes• During the off- season they were expected to serve the pharaoh• Cattle were raised for their milk and for their fattening and then

slaughtered for food, and they are also used for leather. Leather can be used in products from sandals to military shields.

• The Nile flooded every year that made the land fertile. The farmers divided the seasons into 3 rather than 4 according to the behavior of the Nile.

• The flood lasted from around June through September • The water then drained out from October until February• From then onto June it is “drought season”

http://oi.uchicago.edu/OI/MUS/ED/TRC/EGYPT/farming.htmlDailey Life in Ancient Egypt- Chapter 5 “On the Farm”

Egyptian Women •Women could inherit property, they could enter businesses, buy and sell goods, and they could also go to court. •They had a greater independence•Most women were not able to learn to read and write and even if they could they were not able to become scribes. •Egyptian society was highly structured: a woman’s social position was largely defined by the status of her father and husband. According to ‘maat’ the Egyptian view of the order of the universe, it was definitely a man’s world.

Keeping Written Records Keeping Written Records What is a written record? A written record is a set of signs used to What is a written record? A written record is a set of signs used to

represent units in a systematic way. Scribes often used represent units in a systematic way. Scribes often used hieroglyphics. hieroglyphics.

They wrote on papyrus or carved it into stone. They wrote on papyrus or carved it into stone.

HieroglyphicsHieroglyphics-was the -was the Hieratic- Hieratic- simpler script simpler script Demotic- Demotic- another si-another si-

11stst writing system for everyday script for writing system for everyday script for everyday everyday

use use

Rosetta Stone•Dates back to 196 B.C.•A flat, black stone that has the same passage in hieroglyphics, demonic script, and Greek.•The meanings of Egyptian hieroglyphics was lost until the 1800s when Jean Chamollion began to decipher it.•The name Ptolemy was found in all three texts, thus the first hieroglyphics were discovered•Stone was first used to uncover mysterious writings on Egyptian monuments.•The Egyptian language was meant to be difficult to understand so the scribes could keep their jobs and others could not master the language.

Science and MathematicsScience and Mathematics•Egyptian physicians believed in various kinds of magic.Egyptian physicians believed in various kinds of magic.•Doctors performed complex operations and prescribed plants and medicine Doctors performed complex operations and prescribed plants and medicine •Egyptians developed a calendar that included 12 months and 30 daysEgyptians developed a calendar that included 12 months and 30 days•Geometry was developed to survey the land and calculate the size of blocks to use for Geometry was developed to survey the land and calculate the size of blocks to use for building pyramidsbuilding pyramids•Mathematics was developed to face important problems in ancient Egyptian lifestyle Mathematics was developed to face important problems in ancient Egyptian lifestyle •Ancient Egyptians had a vast number system based on 10Ancient Egyptians had a vast number system based on 10•10 – heel10 – heel•100 – crook100 – crook•1,000 – flower1,000 – flower•10,000 - finger10,000 - finger•100,000 – tadpole100,000 – tadpole•The standard measurement used in ancient Egypt was a cubit (approximately 21 The standard measurement used in ancient Egypt was a cubit (approximately 21 inches)inches)

Egyptian ArtEgyptian ArtStatues, wall painting and tombs, and Statues, wall painting and tombs, and carvings on temples. Paintings and carvings on temples. Paintings and

sculpture styles stayed the same for a sculpture styles stayed the same for a thousand years. Statues often showed thousand years. Statues often showed

people in stiff poses. Some human people in stiff poses. Some human figures have animal heads that represent figures have animal heads that represent

special qualties.special qualties.Some show everyday scenes of Some show everyday scenes of

trade, farming, family life, for religious trade, farming, family life, for religious ceremonies. Others boast of victories in ceremonies. Others boast of victories in battle. Artists always presented gods and battle. Artists always presented gods and pharoahs as much larger than other pharoahs as much larger than other figures.figures.

Ancient Egyptian Ancient Egyptian LiteratureLiterature

Some of the oldest Egyptian literature includes: Some of the oldest Egyptian literature includes: Hymns, prayers to gods, proverbs and love poems.Hymns, prayers to gods, proverbs and love poems.

They also recorded battles and through their victories They also recorded battles and through their victories they thought and recorded themselves as superior.they thought and recorded themselves as superior.

They only seem to educate the high up in society, They only seem to educate the high up in society, Artisans and Scribes. All Egyptian people learned the Artisans and Scribes. All Egyptian people learned the importance of table manners even the women who importance of table manners even the women who weren’t educated.weren’t educated.

The three types of Egyptian writing are Hieratic, The three types of Egyptian writing are Hieratic, Hieroglyphic, Demotic.Hieroglyphic, Demotic.

Archeologist have found religious text in pyramids Archeologist have found religious text in pyramids near the pharaohs tomb.near the pharaohs tomb.

Akhenaton Akhenaton

Ordered priests to worship Aton (sun God)Ordered priests to worship Aton (sun God) Tried to make religion monotheistic Tried to make religion monotheistic Ideas had little successIdeas had little success Ordered workers to remove the names of Ordered workers to remove the names of

other gods from their temples other gods from their temples Nobles deserted him because he Nobles deserted him because he

neglected his duty of defending the empire neglected his duty of defending the empire

Osiris Osiris According to mythology, Osiris ruled Egypt until his jealous According to mythology, Osiris ruled Egypt until his jealous

brother named Set kill him, cut him up into pieces and brother named Set kill him, cut him up into pieces and scattered him all over Egypt.scattered him all over Egypt.

Osiris’s wife Isis saved him by reassembling his body which Osiris’s wife Isis saved him by reassembling his body which saved his life.saved his life.

Now Osiris could no longer rule the living and became god of Now Osiris could no longer rule the living and became god of the dead and judge of the souls seeking admission to the after the dead and judge of the souls seeking admission to the after life. life.

In addition to ruling the underworld he also was the god of the In addition to ruling the underworld he also was the god of the Nile. His role was to control the annual flood which made the Nile. His role was to control the annual flood which made the land fertile. land fertile.

He is appeared to be a green skinned man who dress like a He is appeared to be a green skinned man who dress like a pharaoh. pharaoh.

Proving yourself to OsirisProving yourself to Osiris

The Egyptians believed that each soul had to pass judgment to win The Egyptians believed that each soul had to pass judgment to win eternal life after death.eternal life after death.

First the dead would be ferried across a lake of fir to the hall of First the dead would be ferried across a lake of fir to the hall of Osiris. Osiris.

Second the dead persons heard would be weighed against the Second the dead persons heard would be weighed against the feather of truth to determine whether he was a good person or not. feather of truth to determine whether he was a good person or not.

Those that were judged as a sinner would be fed to the crocodile-Those that were judged as a sinner would be fed to the crocodile-shaped Eater of the Dead.shaped Eater of the Dead.

The good souls would live in a happy field of food forever in bliss. The good souls would live in a happy field of food forever in bliss. To survive this dangerous journey the Egyptians relied on the Book To survive this dangerous journey the Egyptians relied on the Book of the Dead which contained spells, charms, and formulas for the of the Dead which contained spells, charms, and formulas for the dead to use in the afterlife.dead to use in the afterlife.