Ancient SumerAncient Sumer

GeographyGeography The World’s first civilization Sumer, developed The World’s first civilization Sumer, developed

in Mesopotamia “ land between the rivers.”in Mesopotamia “ land between the rivers.” Located between the Tigris and Euphrates Located between the Tigris and Euphrates

rivers, Sumer was known for its rich soils and rivers, Sumer was known for its rich soils and golden wheat fields.golden wheat fields.

Flooding was a problem.Flooding was a problem. The Sumerians built dikes and irrigation ditches The Sumerians built dikes and irrigation ditches

to water their fields and protect their homes.to water their fields and protect their homes.

CivilizationCivilization

The Sumerians used clay and water to build The Sumerians used clay and water to build their cities.their cities.

Besides farming, trade was the main focus of Besides farming, trade was the main focus of their economy.their economy.

Trade goods have been found in places as far Trade goods have been found in places as far away as Egypt and India.away as Egypt and India.

Within a few hundred years of its beginning, Within a few hundred years of its beginning, Sumer included at least 12 separate city-states.Sumer included at least 12 separate city-states.

Each city-state had a single ruler who ran the Each city-state had a single ruler who ran the city.city.

Social order-1.Ruling Family, 2.Leading Social order-1.Ruling Family, 2.Leading Officials and Priests, 3.Scribes,Merchants, and Officials and Priests, 3.Scribes,Merchants, and artisans,4.Farmers,5. Slaves.artisans,4.Farmers,5. Slaves.

Women had less status than men but female Women had less status than men but female gods were highly honored.gods were highly honored.

The Sumerians worshipped many gods and The Sumerians worshipped many gods and each city had a ziggurat, a big temple in the each city had a ziggurat, a big temple in the middle of the city.middle of the city.

WritingWriting By 3200 B.C., Sumerians had invented By 3200 B.C., Sumerians had invented

cuneiform.cuneiform. It grew out of pictographs used to record goods It grew out of pictographs used to record goods

brought to temple storehouses.brought to temple storehouses. As time went on, the Sumerians used it to As time went on, the Sumerians used it to

record myths, prayers, laws, and business record myths, prayers, laws, and business contracts.contracts.

Sumerian Scribes went through years of difficult Sumerian Scribes went through years of difficult schooling to acquire their skills.schooling to acquire their skills.

LegacyLegacy Their accomplishments:Their accomplishments: 1.Number system based on an hour being 60 1.Number system based on an hour being 60

minutes and a circle being 360 degrees.minutes and a circle being 360 degrees. 2.The beginnings of basic algebra and 2.The beginnings of basic algebra and

geometry.geometry. 3.An accurate calendar3.An accurate calendar 4. Writing System and the wheel4. Writing System and the wheel 5.Eclipses of the Sun and Moon.5.Eclipses of the Sun and Moon. 6.Oldest Story-The Epic of Gilgamesh 6.Oldest Story-The Epic of Gilgamesh

World ResponseWorld Response Why did the Egyptians place so much Why did the Egyptians place so much

emphasis on the preparation for the afterlife? emphasis on the preparation for the afterlife? Give me your opinion. (1-2 paragraphs)Give me your opinion. (1-2 paragraphs)

http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/gods/story/http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/gods/story/main.htmlmain.html

What types of information about Ancient Egypt What types of information about Ancient Egypt can we learn from colossal monuments such as can we learn from colossal monuments such as the Steppe Pyramid or the Great Pyramid of the Steppe Pyramid or the Great Pyramid of Gaza? (1-2 paragraphs)Gaza? (1-2 paragraphs)

The Old Kingdom 2575-2130 B.C.The Old Kingdom 2575-2130 B.C. The era of the PyramidsThe era of the Pyramids The Pharaohs(kings) established a strong, The Pharaohs(kings) established a strong,

centralized state.centralized state. The Pharaohs ruled by means of a bureaucracy.The Pharaohs ruled by means of a bureaucracy. The vizier was the Pharaohs chief minister and gave The vizier was the Pharaohs chief minister and gave

instructions to thousands of scribes.instructions to thousands of scribes. Social Order: 1. Pharaoh 2. Nobles 3. Merchants and Social Order: 1. Pharaoh 2. Nobles 3. Merchants and

Scribes 4. Peasants (most of the population)Scribes 4. Peasants (most of the population) Crop Failures, Power struggles, and cost of building of Crop Failures, Power struggles, and cost of building of

the Pyramids brought an end to the Old Kingdom.the Pyramids brought an end to the Old Kingdom. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/explore-http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/explore-

ancient-egypt.htmlancient-egypt.html

The Middle Kingdom 1938-1630 The Middle Kingdom 1938-1630 B.C.B.C.

An era of ChaosAn era of Chaos Egypt had problems with food and nobles who Egypt had problems with food and nobles who

wanted more power.wanted more power. Egypt did end the privileges of nobles, Egypt did end the privileges of nobles,

expanded its borders, and established trade expanded its borders, and established trade contacts with people outside of Egypt.contacts with people outside of Egypt.

In 1700 B.C., Egypt was conquered by the In 1700 B.C., Egypt was conquered by the Hyksos.Hyksos.

After 100 years of rule, the Egyptians drove out After 100 years of rule, the Egyptians drove out the Hyksos.the Hyksos.

Sun GodSun God Known as only Re Known as only Re

in Old Kingdom.in Old Kingdom. Was called Amon Was called Amon

Re in the Re in the Middle/New Middle/New Kingdom.Kingdom.

Pharaohs received Pharaohs received the right to rule from the right to rule from Amon ReAmon Re

Amon-Re “King of Amon-Re “King of the Gods”the Gods”

Osiris and IsisOsiris and Isis Ruled Egypt until he Ruled Egypt until he

was killed by his was killed by his brother Set.brother Set.

His body was cut His body was cut into pieces and into pieces and tossed over Egypt.tossed over Egypt.

His Wife Isis His Wife Isis reassembled him reassembled him and brought him and brought him back to life.back to life.

He became lord of He became lord of the underworld.the underworld.

The Pharaoh AkhenatonThe Pharaoh Akhenaton Egyptian Gods and their priests dominated Egyptian Gods and their priests dominated

Egyptian life until the reign of the Pharaoh Egyptian life until the reign of the Pharaoh Akhenaton.Akhenaton.

Originally named Amenhotep IV, around 1380 Originally named Amenhotep IV, around 1380 B.C., he changed his name to Akhenaton and B.C., he changed his name to Akhenaton and tired to force everyone to worship Aton, a minor tired to force everyone to worship Aton, a minor god.god.

Temples to the others gods were closed and Temples to the others gods were closed and priests lost their positions.priests lost their positions.

However, after his death, Egypt returned to the However, after his death, Egypt returned to the old ways.old ways.

How to prove yourself to OsirisHow to prove yourself to Osiris 1. Your soul is ferried across a lake of fire to the 1. Your soul is ferried across a lake of fire to the

hall of Osiris.hall of Osiris. 2. Your heart is weighed against the feather of 2. Your heart is weighed against the feather of

truth.truth. 3. Osiris judges you.3. Osiris judges you. Sinners-fed to crocodile-shaped Eater of the Sinners-fed to crocodile-shaped Eater of the

DeadDead Worthy-enter the Happy Field of FoodWorthy-enter the Happy Field of Food To prepare for this ordeal, the Egyptians relied To prepare for this ordeal, the Egyptians relied

on the Book of the Dead.on the Book of the Dead.

Preparing the DeadPreparing the Dead The Egyptians believed the afterlife would be The Egyptians believed the afterlife would be

like life on Earth.like life on Earth. Result-they buried their dead everything they Result-they buried their dead everything they

would need for eternity.would need for eternity. Mummification was a privilege that all Mummification was a privilege that all

Egyptians hoped to earn when they died.Egyptians hoped to earn when they died.

Egyptian Society/CultureEgyptian Society/Culture

½ Response½ ResponseWhat do you think was Ancient What do you think was Ancient

Egypt’s greatest accomplishment Egypt’s greatest accomplishment and why?and why?

The New Kingdom 1539-1075 B.C.The New Kingdom 1539-1075 B.C. Egypt at the height of its powerEgypt at the height of its power Powerful rulers like Thutmose III and Ramses II Powerful rulers like Thutmose III and Ramses II

expanded Egypt’s borders and made it a great empire.expanded Egypt’s borders and made it a great empire. Main rival was the Hittites with whom Egypt made the Main rival was the Hittites with whom Egypt made the

world’s first known peace treaty with in 1258 B.C.world’s first known peace treaty with in 1258 B.C. Egypt slowly declined after 1100 B.C. and was Egypt slowly declined after 1100 B.C. and was

conquered many times.conquered many times. Last Egyptian rulers were replaced by the Greeks in Last Egyptian rulers were replaced by the Greeks in

323 B.C.323 B.C. The Romans officially ended Egyptian culture when The Romans officially ended Egyptian culture when

they took over in 30 B.C.they took over in 30 B.C.

India and ChinaIndia and China Both lands have had advanced civilizations that Both lands have had advanced civilizations that

lasted for thousands of years. lasted for thousands of years. Both lands represent Eastern Civilization (we Both lands represent Eastern Civilization (we

are Western Civilization).are Western Civilization). These lands have always had a larger These lands have always had a larger

population base.population base. The people have completely different outlooks The people have completely different outlooks

on life then we do.on life then we do. Both lands are growing economically today.Both lands are growing economically today.

Religions and Philosophies of India Religions and Philosophies of India and China Foldableand China Foldable

I. Hinduism pg.76-78 (list 7 things)I. Hinduism pg.76-78 (list 7 things) II. Buddhism pg.79-82 (list 10 things)II. Buddhism pg.79-82 (list 10 things) III. Confucianism pg.96-98 (list 8 things)III. Confucianism pg.96-98 (list 8 things) IV. Daoism pg.98 (list 5 things)IV. Daoism pg.98 (list 5 things) Need five areas with the title page as named Need five areas with the title page as named

above.above.