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World History
Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia
The Impact of Geography
Mesopotamia: The land between the riversTigris and Euphrates
The Fertile Crescent: Larger area (from Med. Sea to the Persian Gulf)
Impact: Rivers deposited silt when they flooded in late SpringEventually the people learn to control the water
with irrigation and drainage
Fertile Crescent
Akkadia and Sumeria
The Sumerians
By 3000 BC there were a number of independent cities in Southern Mesopotamia which developed into city-statesThe centerpiece of each of these cities was
the temple which was built on massive stepped tower called a Ziggurat
GovernmentTheocracies: monarchies by divine
authority
Ziggurat
Empires in Mesopotamia
Eventually these city states fell into conflict with each other and outside forces
2340 BC The Akkadians and their leader Sargon conquered the region and set up the worlds first Empire (fell in 2100 BC)
1792 BC Hammurabi (leader of the Babylonians gained control of Akad and SumerHammurabi’s Code? (eye for an eye)Patriarchal society
Religion and Creativity
Religion: Polytheistic (3000 or more gods usually associated with nature
Creativity:Writing (Cuneiform) to pass down knowledge
and record eventsThe Epic of Gilgamesh (immortality for gods
only)Technology Bronze (copper and tin), wagon
wheel, potters wheel, sundial
Assyrians and Persians
A Mighty Military Machine850 BC, the Assyrians advanced from the
northern part of Mesopotamia Open area, Little protection
Relied on military strength for defense from outside attack
Assyrian Empire stretched from north and east of the Tigris river to Egypt
Development of WeaponsArmor, Weapons, Organization
Assyrian Rule650 BC
Height of ruleFell by 612 BC
Organization of conquered areas into empire
Divided into regionsAssyrians choose
rulersTaxes and Tribute
Assyrian CultureAssyrian Kings were
great builders, not just destroyers
NinevehCapital city
Ashurbanipal Great warriorCould read many
languages Library
25,000 clay tablets
Nebuchadnezzar Chaldean King of
Babylon (604-562BC)Restoration of Babylon
Euphrates through the cityWalls
4 Horse Chariot could ride on top
Hanging gardens of BabylonMade for homesick wife75 feet above the groundHydraulic pumps
Babylon fell after Nebuchadnezzar's death to the Persian Empire
Rise of the Persian Empire(559 BC -330 BC)
CyrusRuled from 559-530 BCMilitary genius, but great Administrator Method of governing
Kindness to conquered people Religiously tolerant (opposite of the Assyrians)
Darius (522-486 BC) Created an effective style of administrationEmpire reached its greatest extentReturn to toleration and Cyrus’ style of rule
Provinces and Royal Road
Darius was a great warrior, but his genius was governing 20 provinces
Darius still ruled with absolute powerSatraps (gov’s)
Kings eyes and earsTax collectors
Royal RoadRoyal Road ““Interstate 95”Interstate 95” Ran across the Persian Ran across the Persian
empireempire 1,677 mile long1,677 mile long 111 posts (Rest Stations)111 posts (Rest Stations)
15 miles apart 15 miles apart MessengerMessenger
7 days 7 days
Increased trade and Increased trade and communication communication throughout the empirethroughout the empire