MesopotamiaMesopotamia

The Land Between Two RiversThe Land Between Two Rivers

UrukUruk

known in the known in the Bible as Erech Bible as Erech (now Warka) \(now Warka) \

Uruk was Uruk was Mesopotamia's - Mesopotamia's - and the World's and the World's - first city- first city

TimelineTimeline

SumerianSumerian 3,500 BC – 2,300 BC3,500 BC – 2,300 BC

AkkadianAkkadian 2,300 BC – 1,900 BC2,300 BC – 1,900 BC

BabylonianBabylonian 1,900 BC – 1,300 BC1,900 BC – 1,300 BC

AssyrianAssyrian 1,300 BC – 612 BC1,300 BC – 612 BC

Mesopotamia was ruled by four different Mesopotamia was ruled by four different empiresempires

GeographyGeography

Mesopotamia is a Greek Mesopotamia is a Greek word meaning between word meaning between the riversthe rivers

Ancient Mesopotamia Ancient Mesopotamia was located between was located between the Tigris and Euphrates the Tigris and Euphrates RiversRivers

Most of Mesopotamia Most of Mesopotamia was located in present was located in present day Iraqday Iraq

The hot dry climate was The hot dry climate was mixed with seasonal mixed with seasonal flooding from the riversflooding from the rivers

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MesopotamiaMesopotamia(Land of Firsts)(Land of Firsts)

First to invent the wheelFirst to invent the wheel First to use sails on boatsFirst to use sails on boats One of first to make up a story One of first to make up a story

(Gilgamesh)(Gilgamesh) First to use cuneiform (writing)First to use cuneiform (writing) First to use the calendarFirst to use the calendar First to use the seeder plowFirst to use the seeder plow First to give a number place value First to give a number place value

and recognize the concept of zeroand recognize the concept of zero  

Mesopotamia is known as, “The Cradle of Civilization,” because it was first in many things:

AgricultureAgriculture(The Fertile Crescent)(The Fertile Crescent)

Farmers turned the land into Farmers turned the land into a rich food growing area by a rich food growing area by using irrigation and the plowusing irrigation and the plow

Farmers grew wheat, barley, Farmers grew wheat, barley, dates, and other vegetables dates, and other vegetables and fruitand fruit

They raised goat, pig, sheep They raised goat, pig, sheep and cattleand cattle

Irrigation created a surplus Irrigation created a surplus of food which led to the of food which led to the growth of citiesgrowth of cities

Surplus led to a flourishing Surplus led to a flourishing system of tradesystem of trade

EconomyEconomy

The Mesopotamian plain was lacking in resources The Mesopotamian plain was lacking in resources such as metals, timber, stone, and grapevines, so such as metals, timber, stone, and grapevines, so the Sumerians had to trade abroad to get them the Sumerians had to trade abroad to get them

At first, the Sumerians traded surplus barley for At first, the Sumerians traded surplus barley for these goodsthese goods

Later, the Sumerians began to manufacture trading Later, the Sumerians began to manufacture trading goods that they could transport more easily, such goods that they could transport more easily, such as cloth and bronze ornaments as cloth and bronze ornaments

The Mesopotamians made written contracts, loans The Mesopotamians made written contracts, loans and created a credit systemand created a credit system

They used a barter systemThey used a barter system

Trade RoutesTrade Routes

The Beginnings of The Beginnings of WritingWriting

The Sumerians were very good The Sumerians were very good farmers. They raised animals farmers. They raised animals such as goats and cows (called such as goats and cows (called livestock). Because they needed livestock). Because they needed to keep records of their livestock, to keep records of their livestock, food, and other things, officials food, and other things, officials began using tokens.began using tokens.

Tokens were used for Tokens were used for trade.trade.

Clay tokens came in Clay tokens came in different shapes and different shapes and sizes. These sizes. These represented represented different objects.different objects.

TokensTokens

AdvancementAdvancement

With the With the development of development of cities came a more cities came a more complex economy complex economy and more complex and more complex social structures.social structures.

LanguageLanguage Mesopotamians were Mesopotamians were

the first to use writing the first to use writing (around 3,000 BC)(around 3,000 BC)

The system of writing The system of writing was called cuneiform was called cuneiform

Cuneiform was wedge Cuneiform was wedge shaped symbols shaped symbols pressed into clay pressed into clay tabletstablets

The Mesopotamians The Mesopotamians wrote many myths wrote many myths

The most famous was The most famous was the epic poem called the epic poem called GilgameshGilgamesh

Writing allowed people Writing allowed people to keep records of to keep records of their transactions their transactions

People could send People could send messages with messages with couriers to far away couriers to far away lands without lands without travelingtraveling

Writing allowed people Writing allowed people to pass on their to pass on their accumulated accumulated knowledge to future knowledge to future generationsgenerations

Cuneiform Tablets

Cuneiform “Wedge”Cuneiform “Wedge”

The earliest form of The earliest form of writing dates back to writing dates back to 3300 B.C. 3300 B.C.

People back then would People back then would draw "word-pictures" on draw "word-pictures" on clay tablets using a clay tablets using a pointed instrument pointed instrument called a stylus. These called a stylus. These "word-pictures" then "word-pictures" then developed into wedge-developed into wedge-shaped signs. shaped signs.

ReligionReligion The people of Mesopotamia believed in many godsThe people of Mesopotamia believed in many gods Each town was protected by its own, unique deity or Each town was protected by its own, unique deity or

god god The temple, the center of worship, was also the center The temple, the center of worship, was also the center

of every city of every city Around the year 2000 B.C., temple towers called Around the year 2000 B.C., temple towers called

ziggurats were built to link heaven and earthziggurats were built to link heaven and earth

Political structure an early Political structure an early form of democracyform of democracy

Frequent wars led to the Frequent wars led to the emergence of warriors as emergence of warriors as leadersleaders

Eventually rise of monarchial Eventually rise of monarchial systemsystem

co-operation was the basis of co-operation was the basis of governmentgovernment

Followed leadership of god of Followed leadership of god of the city which was interpreted the city which was interpreted by a council of leading citizens by a council of leading citizens > or > priests > or leader of > or > priests > or leader of the city (ie. king)the city (ie. king)

GovernmeGovernmentnt

The Mesopotamians had The Mesopotamians had written laws that everyone written laws that everyone in the empire had to follow in the empire had to follow

There were 282 laws There were 282 laws created by King Hamurabicreated by King Hamurabi

Known as Hamurabi's Known as Hamurabi's Code, the laws were Code, the laws were written in stone and placed written in stone and placed in a public locationin a public location

The Mesopotamians The Mesopotamians believed the gods called believed the gods called the king to establish justice the king to establish justice and order; whoever and order; whoever disobeyed the king disobeyed the king disobeyed the godsdisobeyed the gods

Social Organization & Daily Social Organization & Daily LifeLife

The King The King held military held military powers.powers.

The Governors The Governors governed the territories governed the territories of the kingdom. They of the kingdom. They were generals and were generals and judges at the same judges at the same time.time.

The aristocracy The aristocracy were were priests and traders.priests and traders.

The peasantsThe peasants worked worked the land.the land.

Sports, games and Sports, games and entertainment were part of entertainment were part of their everyday lifetheir everyday life

Boxing and wrestling were Boxing and wrestling were popular sportspopular sports

Board games were also Board games were also popularpopular

The kings were famous The kings were famous hunters of lions, elephants, hunters of lions, elephants, ostriches, wild bullsostriches, wild bulls

Harps and lyres were Harps and lyres were playedplayed

Hammurabi’s LawsHammurabi’s Laws

Divided society into 3 classes:Divided society into 3 classes: NobilityNobility CommonersCommoners SlavesSlaves

Rules for marriage and divorce.Rules for marriage and divorce.

Women had to accept as well as parent Women had to accept as well as parent permission with dowry.permission with dowry.

Protected welfare of women and childrenProtected welfare of women and children

SumeriansSumerians “Land of the lords of “Land of the lords of

brightness”brightness” social, economic and intellectual basissocial, economic and intellectual basis Irrigated fields and produced 3 mainIrrigated fields and produced 3 main crops crops (barley, dates and sesame seeds)(barley, dates and sesame seeds) built canals, dikes, dams and drainage systemsbuilt canals, dikes, dams and drainage systems develop develop cuneiformcuneiform writing writing invented the invented the wheelwheel Abundance of food led to steady increase of population (farm, Abundance of food led to steady increase of population (farm,

towns, cities)towns, cities) first first citycity of the world of the world Developed a Developed a trade systemtrade system with with barteringbartering: mainly barley but : mainly barley but

also wool and cloth for stone, metals, timber, copper, pearls and also wool and cloth for stone, metals, timber, copper, pearls and ivoryivory

Individuals could only Individuals could only rent landrent land from priests (who controlled from priests (who controlled land on behalf of gods); most of profits of trade went to templeland on behalf of gods); most of profits of trade went to temple

However, the Sumerians were not successful in uniting lower However, the Sumerians were not successful in uniting lower MesopotamiaMesopotamia

AkkadiansAkkadians Leader: Sargon the GreatLeader: Sargon the Great Sargon unified lower Mesopotamia (after conquering Sargon unified lower Mesopotamia (after conquering

Sumerians in 2331 BCE)Sumerians in 2331 BCE) Established capital at AkkadEstablished capital at Akkad Spread Mesopotamian culture Spread Mesopotamian culture However, short-lived dynasty as Akkadians were conquered However, short-lived dynasty as Akkadians were conquered

by the invading barbarians by 2200 BCEby the invading barbarians by 2200 BCE

BabyloniansBabylonians KING HAMMURABI’S BABLYONKING HAMMURABI’S BABLYON

(6(6thth AmoriteAmorite king) who conquered king) who conquered Akkad and Assyria (north and Akkad and Assyria (north and south)south)

He build new walls to protect the He build new walls to protect the city and new canals and dikes to city and new canals and dikes to improve cropsimprove crops

Economy based on agriculture Economy based on agriculture and wool / clothand wool / cloth

individuals could individuals could own landown land around citiesaround cities

Artisans and merchants could Artisans and merchants could keep most profits and even keep most profits and even formed guilds / associationsformed guilds / associations

GrainGrain used as the medium of used as the medium of exchange > emergence of exchange > emergence of measurement of measurement of currencycurrency: : shekel = 180 grains of barley; shekel = 180 grains of barley; minamina = 60 shekels = 60 shekels

Mina was eventually represented Mina was eventually represented by metals which was one of first by metals which was one of first uses of money (but it was still uses of money (but it was still based on grain)based on grain)

Hammurabi’s Legacy: Hammurabi’s Legacy: law codelaw code

• Babylonians reunited Babylonians reunited Mesopotamia in 1830 BCEMesopotamia in 1830 BCE

• central location dominated trade central location dominated trade and secured controland secured control

• YET AGAIN, Mesopotamia was not YET AGAIN, Mesopotamia was not unified for long…unified for long…

1010thth century BCE, Assyria emerged as dominant force in century BCE, Assyria emerged as dominant force in the norththe north

City of City of AssurAssur- became important trading and political - became important trading and political centrecentre

After Hammurabi’s death, Babylon fell apart and kings of After Hammurabi’s death, Babylon fell apart and kings of Assur controlled more of surrounding area and came to Assur controlled more of surrounding area and came to dominate dominate

Made conquered lands pay Made conquered lands pay taxestaxes (food, animals, metals or (food, animals, metals or timber)timber)

Rule by fear as kings were first to have a Rule by fear as kings were first to have a permanentpermanent army army made up of professional soldiers (estimated 200 000 men)made up of professional soldiers (estimated 200 000 men)

Made superior weapons of bronze and Made superior weapons of bronze and ironiron iron changed lifestyles in Mesopotamia in weapons and in iron changed lifestyles in Mesopotamia in weapons and in

daily life ie. replaced wooden wheels and applied to horse daily life ie. replaced wooden wheels and applied to horse drawn chariotsdrawn chariots

• Assyrian reunited Mesopotamia Assyrian reunited Mesopotamia and established the first true empire and established the first true empire • However, states began to revolt However, states began to revolt and ONCE AGAIN, Assyrian Empire and ONCE AGAIN, Assyrian Empire collapsed by late 7th century BCEcollapsed by late 7th century BCE

• By 539 BCE, Mesopotamia part of By 539 BCE, Mesopotamia part of the vast Persian Empire (led by the vast Persian Empire (led by Cyrus the Great)Cyrus the Great)• Persian Empire dominated for 800 Persian Empire dominated for 800 years until Alexander the Greatyears until Alexander the Great

Mesopotamian Banquet

GilgameshGilgamesh GilgameshGilgamesh is an ancient story or is an ancient story or

epic written in Mesopotamia more epic written in Mesopotamia more than 4000 thousand years agothan 4000 thousand years ago

GilgameshGilgamesh is the first known work is the first known work of great literature and epic poemof great literature and epic poem

Epic mentions a Epic mentions a great floodgreat flood

Gilgamesh parallels Gilgamesh parallels the Nippur the Nippur TabletTablet, a six-columned tablet , a six-columned tablet telling the story of the creation of telling the story of the creation of humans and animals, the cities humans and animals, the cities and their rulers, and the great and their rulers, and the great floodflood

ANALYSISANALYSIS GilgameshGilgamesh and the Nippur tablet and the Nippur tablet

both parallel the story of both parallel the story of Noah Noah and the Arkand the Ark (great flood) in the (great flood) in the Old TestamentOld Testament of the Jewish and of the Jewish and Christian holy booksChristian holy books

Modern science argues an Modern science argues an increase in the sea levels about increase in the sea levels about 6,000 years ago (end of ice age)6,000 years ago (end of ice age)

the melting ice drained to the the melting ice drained to the oceans causing the sea level to oceans causing the sea level to rise more than ten feet in one rise more than ten feet in one centurycentury

ArtArt

ArtArt

Who was the best?Who was the best?SumerSumer

Closely tied to Closely tied to environmentenvironment

Irrigation Irrigation techniques for techniques for farmingfarming

wheelwheel Trade- barteringTrade- bartering Writing- Writing-

cuneiformcuneiform Religion tied to Religion tied to

government as government as priests and priests and kings made kings made decision for decision for godsgods

zigguratsziggurats

BabylonBabylon

Production of Production of food through food through farmingfarming

Private Private ownership of ownership of land vs land vs ownership by the ownership by the godsgods

Developed Developed mathematics mathematics and calendar and calendar system and system and system of units system of units for currencyfor currency

Hammurabi’s Hammurabi’s law codelaw code

Assyria

Kings conquered Kings conquered

lands to create lands to create empire of Assyria empire of Assyria Cooler climate Cooler climate could could produce crops with produce crops with little irrigation little irrigation Deposits of ore Deposits of ore allowed for allowed for development and development and use use of iron of iron Assyrian army Assyrian army became most became most effective military effective military force force