the ancient middle east

Indo-European Migrations: 4m-2m BCE

Indo-European Migrations: 4m-2m BCE

The Middle East: “The Crossroads of Three Continents”

The Middle East: “The Crossroads of Three Continents”

The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area

The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area

The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”

The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”

SumeriansSumerians

Sumerian Religion - Polytheistic

Sumerian Religion - Polytheistic

Enki – water or

life

Enki – water or

life

Innana - heaven

Innana - heaven

Anthropomorphic (having human

characteristics) Gods

Anthropomorphic (having human

characteristics) Gods

Mesopotamian TradeMesopotamian Trade

“The Cuneiform World”

“The Cuneiform World”

Cuneiform: “Wedge-Shaped” Writing

Cuneiform: “Wedge-Shaped” Writing

Cuneiform WritingCuneiform Writing

Deciphering Cuneiform

Deciphering Cuneiform

Sumerian ScribesSumerian Scribes

“Tablet House” “Tablet House”

Sumerian Cylinder Seals

Sumerian Cylinder Seals

• Cuneiform deciphered by Sir Henry Cuneiform deciphered by Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson in 1838 using Creswicke Rawlinson in 1838 using carving on Behistun Rock by Darius Icarving on Behistun Rock by Darius I

GilgameshGilgamesh

Gilgamesh Epic Tablet:Flood Story

Gilgamesh Epic Tablet:Flood Story

Ziggurat at UrZiggurat at Ur

Temple

“Mountain of the Gods”

Temple

“Mountain of the Gods”

The Royal Standard of Ur

The Royal Standard of Ur

Mesopotamian HarpMesopotamian Harp

Board Game From UrBoard Game From Ur

Sophisticated Metallurgy Skills

at Ur

Sophisticated Metallurgy Skills

at Ur

• Sumerian achievements also include:Sumerian achievements also include:

• The wheelThe wheel

• The archThe arch

• A number system based on 60A number system based on 60

• A calendar – not accurateA calendar – not accurate

• Govt. was a city-state with each city Govt. was a city-state with each city controlling the surrounding land – each controlling the surrounding land – each city-state had its own kingcity-state had its own king

Sargon of Akkad:The World’s First Empire

[Akkadians]

Sargon of Akkad:The World’s First Empire

[Akkadians]

The Babylonian Empires

The Babylonian Empires

Hammurabi’s [r. 1792-1750

B. C. E.] CodeHammurabi’s [r. 1792-1750

B. C. E.] Code

Hammurabi, the JudgeHammurabi, the Judge

Babylonian MathBabylonian Math

Babylonian NumbersBabylonian Numbers