mesopotamia civilization
DESCRIPTION
Ancient Mesopotamia (Modern Iraq). Geography. Economic life. Challenges. Socio-political system/Government. Social structure. Political organisations. Genesis of civilization. Akkadian - Sargon (2300-2200 BC). Guti empire. Amorites (Old-Babylonian). Assyrians. Chaldean. Herbew, Persian empire.TRANSCRIPT
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ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA (MODERN IRAQ)(MODERN IRAQ)
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Introduction: Origin & Development
• Mesopotamia-Greek word meaning:– The flat land between two rivers (Tigris &
Euphrates)–Also means ‘Fertile Crescent’ (traditional Garden
of Eden)– Initially inhabited by nomads- Semitic
language Family (Hebrew & Arabs)– Late became builders & Farmers in the South– Civilization begun 3500BC in the cities of
Sumer, Kish, Ur, Nippur, Uruk & Umma
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Geography:• Land:–Steep and difficult with temp raising to
38 in summer and rainfall low- 10inches–Rain unpredictable
• Spring- rivers flooded the valley– Rain re news soil fertility– Snow melt, not rain (little vs. lots of snow,
fast melt vs. slow melt)–
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Economic life:• Crops grown: wheat, barley, vegetables- onions,
leeks, & dates• Animals reared: Donkeys, cows, goats, pigs & sheep• Surplus produces allowed Sumerians to result to
other activities. Resulting to:• Production of bricks• Invention of potter wheel• Pottery • Use of bronze
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Challenges:• Control of flooded rivers• Keeping up a stable irrigation system• Keeping off enemies –
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Socio-political system/Government Each Sumerian city was independent of others Characterized war-
Cities emerged same time & overlapped with timeRivalry- land, water & trade, mainly land & water
Leader- Highest priest (priest-king)- theocraticPriests had supreme authority-
Sumerians believed that the land & city-state was owned by gods and priests ruled on behalf of the gods
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Social Structure Based on level of dependency & freedom enjoyed
Nobles (Kings, Priests, Palace officials)
Commoners (Free Citizens) Protected by law
Free Clients (Dependent on the Nobility
Slaves (Foreigners, prisoners of wars
criminals, debtors)
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Social System Cont’d…..Women protected by dowryMen had absolute power sickness- caused by magic & evil spirits
Education:Only the rich kids went to school particularly the boysMaths, Botany, linguistics & writing
Religion:Polytheist society- divided among functions tried to control the earth rain, sun, storms, water, wisdomZiggurat-
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Cont’d…… DesertFeudalism system: Petty-statism: Polarization:
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Political Organizations: Two main political settings: Confederate city-state
Initially organized as city-state Loose confederate city/states – 100 square
EmpireEmerges when people are conquered & are absorbed into a larger political system
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Political Organizations: Famous Kings:
Sumerian Empire – Lugal Zagge Akkadian - Sargon Akkad Guti – Ur- Nammu Old Babylon Empire- Hammurabi Assyrian Persian Empire unit- Satrapy or Province
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Genesis of Civilization:Started by Sumerian who settled on the lower Tigris-Euphrates
Created a form of writing CuneiformDevelopment of dykes, canals & irrigation ditches irrigationFirst to use fertilizer & invent glassUse of silver as a means of exchangeInvent the wheel, cart & carriage
Formulated laws- based on ‘tit for tat’ or lex talionisBelieved in Heroism- example of Hero stories- Gilgameshas- recorded in Epic of GilgameshControl declined in 2371 BC
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Akkadian - Sargon (2300-2200): Overthrew Sumerian govt Retained social & administrative systems of Sumerian Characterized by invasion of foreign lands Authoritarian regime-
Faced by external attacks & internal revolts
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Guti Empire: Nomad community from Zagros mountains Destroyed urban set up & imposed militaristic system Features:
Decline in tradeAnarchy as result of military coups & counter coupsOnly one successful king- Ur-Nammu (2113-2000)
Collapse of the empire attributed to foreign attacks & division of the country by two powers
Amorites (Syria)- East- capital Babylon Elemites (Iran) – East (Ur) Mesopotamia thus divided into two feuding city-states
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Amorites (Old-Babylonian)- Hammurabi (1792-1750) Systematized law (Hammurabi code) Composed of 300 laws set in a public place
Royal taxation Compulsory military services Treason & sedition – serious offense Protected women & children- dowry property of the women
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Amorites (Old-Babylonian)- Just society
Economy of willing buyer & seller Law of partnership, title deeds, wills & interest Encouraged working on farms to ensure self-sufficiency
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Assyrians - King Sennacherib Brutal & militaristic people- destroyed rather than built Methods used to establish govt were ruthless- instill fear & obedience
Building constructed Administrative & military center for population control to minimize rebellion Propaganda- make people fear the king
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Assyrians - King Sennacherib Characteristics:
Commerce & industry not promoted- lowered dignity of soldiers Agriculture main stay Trade was for non-Assyrians Intellectual contributions- military & health provision for military Art
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Chaldean/Neo-Babylonian Resurgence
King Nebuchadnezzar (Medes- Iran) Astrologers- divided the sky into 12 parts (Zodiac) Invented 7 day week Divided day into 120 minutes Charted the movements of planets & eclipses of the sun & moon Invented 360 degree-circle
King Nebuchadnezzar militarism led to formation of Hebrew Empire (Judah)
Enslaved them in Neo-Babylon
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Hebrew (Israelites, Jews)
History contained in the Torah Trace their origin in Sumerian city- Ur 1950 BC – Abraham made covenant with God- Ur Ur under attack by the Elemites (Iran) Migrated to Palestine 12 tribes migrated to Egypt – 1600 BC under Hyksos
After Hyksos were overthrown – Hebrews were enslaved – Biblical bondage Moses led them & led them to Canaan arrived in Canaan – Joshua (1200BC)
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Hebrew Cont’d…… Moses led them & led them to Canaan arrived in Canaan – Joshua (1200BC) Followed by the leadership of the judges which ended in 1020 BC- Saul united the two tribes Followed by David & Solomon built the temple (First Temple) Solomon was extravagant – caused to cede 20 cities in Galilee in lieu of payment leading to hostility with his subjects Hostility continued during leadership of Solomon’s son- Rehoboam
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Hebrew Cont’d…… The rise of two nations in Israel- Israel & Judah
Israel (North of Palestine) & Judah (South) Divided Kingdom resulted to idolatry Division led to attacks by foreigners – Israel (Assyrians) & Judah (Chaldeans) Attacks scattered the Hebrews all over the world resulting to 10 lost tribes of Israel
Nebuchadnezzar II & Israel Hebrews (Judah) were incarcerated in Babylon Conspired with King Cyrus of Persian overthrew Neb Mesopotamia became a province of Persia & some Hebrews returned to Israel Those who remianed in Babylon (Disapora) – refers to Jews living outside Israel
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Hebrew Cont’d……
The return of the Jews: Jews from Judah tried to rebuild the temple but never succeeded coz of constant attacks
Attacked by Alexander the Great, King Antiochus (Syria), Herod (Roman)
King Herod renamed it Judea & destroyed when the Jews tried to rebel leading to second wave of Jews migration to Europe
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Hebrew Cont’d…… Jews & Discrimination:
1096- Christian crusade persecuted & discriminated non-Christians Jews required to wear a badge or special clothes that would categorize them as Jews Lived in separated communities- Ghettos Jews lost right to own land & became money lenders & peddlers England & France expel Jews – settled in Poland & Germany
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Hebrew Cont’d……Enlightenment Age (1700s) & Plight of Jews:
Period marked by ideas of liberty & equality- in Europe
Resulted into tolerance of Jews, emancipation and acceptance of Jews as citizens in individual European countries1800s- Anti-semitism re-emerged when writers- Germany tried to proof that Jews were inferior to Aryans 1849 a Jewish French army officer accused of treason
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Hebrew Cont’d……Enlightenment Age (1700s) & Plight of Jews:
Then Jews decided only solution to anti-semitism was a Jewish independent state Creation of Zionist movement Zionist movement begun by buying land in Palestine & established farms in Tel-Aviv During WWII – anti-semitism in parts of Europe lead to the death of 6 million Jews Israel – created in 1948 (Britain & US)
Jewish religious & national identity could be developed
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PERSIAN EMPIRE Established by Cyrus the Great Leader of Southern Persian tribes but considered himself leader of Asia Minor
Succeeded by Cambyses- conquered Egypt Darius- conquer Greece
Key Contributions: Religion – Zoroastrianism (600BC) & Mithraism (400BC)
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