mesopotamia: “ the cradle of civilization ”
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Mesopotamia: “ The Cradle of Civilization ”. Earliest Civilization: the Fertile Crescent. This became the earliest of all civilizations as people began to form permanent settlements - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Mesopotamia: Mesopotamia:
““The Cradle of CivilizationThe Cradle of Civilization””
Earliest Civilization: the Earliest Civilization: the Fertile CrescentFertile Crescent
This became the earliest of all civilizations as This became the earliest of all civilizations as people began to form permanent settlementspeople began to form permanent settlements
MesopotamiaMesopotamia is a Greek word that means is a Greek word that means ““between the riversbetween the rivers””, , specifically, the area specifically, the area between the between the Tigris River and Euphrates RiverTigris River and Euphrates River (present day Iraq) (present day Iraq)
Lasted for approximately 3000 yearsLasted for approximately 3000 years
Its peoples were the first to:Its peoples were the first to:– irrigate fieldsirrigate fields– createa system of writingcreatea system of writing– developed mathematicsdeveloped mathematics– invented the wheel and learned to work with metalinvented the wheel and learned to work with metal
Geographic ConditionsGeographic Conditions Little rainfall Little rainfall
Hot and dry climate Hot and dry climate
windstorms leaving muddy river valleys in windstorms leaving muddy river valleys in winterwinter
Deadly flooding of the riversDeadly flooding of the riversin springin spring
Arid soil containing little mineralsArid soil containing little minerals
No stone or wood resourcesNo stone or wood resources
Then why live in Then why live in Mesopotamia?Mesopotamia?
NATURAL LEVEESNATURAL LEVEES: : embankments produced by build-up of sediment embankments produced by build-up of sediment over thousands of years of floodingover thousands of years of flooding
Natural LeveeNatural Levee
create a high and safe flood plain create a high and safe flood plain
make irrigation and canal construction easy make irrigation and canal construction easy
provide protectionprovide protection
the surrounding swamps were full of fish & waterfowl the surrounding swamps were full of fish & waterfowl
reeds provided food for sheep / goats reeds provided food for sheep / goats
reeds also were used as building resourcesreeds also were used as building resources
Checkpoint!Checkpoint!
Using the A.C.E. strategy, answer the Using the A.C.E. strategy, answer the following question:following question:
– Why would people decide to live in Why would people decide to live in Mesopotamia?Mesopotamia?
History of MesopotamiaHistory of Mesopotamia
Over the centuries, many different Over the centuries, many different people lived in this area creating a people lived in this area creating a collection of independent statescollection of independent states– Sumer- Sumer- southern part (3500-2000 BCE)southern part (3500-2000 BCE)– Akkad- Akkad- northern part (2340 – 2180 BCE)northern part (2340 – 2180 BCE)– Babylonia- Babylonia- these two regions were unified these two regions were unified
(1830-1500 BCE and 650-500 BCE)(1830-1500 BCE and 650-500 BCE)– Assyria-Assyria- Assyrian Empire (1100 -612 BCE) Assyrian Empire (1100 -612 BCE)
ReligionReligion The position of the King was enhanced The position of the King was enhanced
and supported by religionand supported by religion
Kingship believed to be created by gods Kingship believed to be created by gods and the kingand the king’’s power was divinely s power was divinely ordainedordained
Belief that gods lived on the distant Belief that gods lived on the distant mountaintops mountaintops
Each god had control of certain things Each god had control of certain things and each city was ruled by a different and each city was ruled by a different god god
Kings and priests acted as interpreters Kings and priests acted as interpreters as they told the people what the god as they told the people what the god wanted them to do (ie. by examining wanted them to do (ie. by examining the liver or lungs of a slain sheep)the liver or lungs of a slain sheep)
gods of Mesopotamiagods of Mesopotamia Polytheistic religion consisting of Polytheistic religion consisting of
over 3600 gods and demigodsover 3600 gods and demigods
Prominent Mesopotamian godsProminent Mesopotamian gods
Enlil Enlil (supreme god & god of (supreme god & god of air)air)
IshtarIshtar (goddess of fertility & (goddess of fertility & life)life)
AnAn (god of heaven) (god of heaven)
EnkiEnki (god of water & (god of water & underworld)underworld)
ShamashShamash (god of sun and (god of sun and giver of law)giver of law)
gods were gods were worshipped at huge worshipped at huge temples called temples called zigguratsziggurats
ZigguratZigguratss
Large temples dedicated Large temples dedicated to the god of the cityto the god of the city
Made of layer upon layer Made of layer upon layer of mud bricks in the of mud bricks in the shape of a pyramid in shape of a pyramid in many tiersmany tiers(due to constant flooding (due to constant flooding and from belief that gods and from belief that gods resided on mountaintops)resided on mountaintops)
Temple on top served as Temple on top served as the godthe god’’s home and was s home and was beautifully decoratedbeautifully decorated
Inside was a room for Inside was a room for offerings of food and offerings of food and goodsgoods
Temples evolved to Temples evolved to ziggurats-ziggurats- a stack of 1-7 a stack of 1-7 platforms decreasing in platforms decreasing in size from bottom to topsize from bottom to top
Famous ziggurat was Famous ziggurat was Tower of BabelTower of Babel (over (over 100m above ground and 100m above ground and 91m base)91m base)
Ziggurat of Ur -2000BCE
The political structure was an The political structure was an early form of democracyearly form 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)
SumeriansSumerians 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 also wool and cloth for stone, metals, timber, copper, pearls and ivoryand ivory
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
King Hammurabi’s BabylonKing Hammurabi’s Babylon (6(6thth AmoriteAmorite king) who conquered Akkad and Assyria (north king) who conquered Akkad and Assyria (north
and south)and south) He build new walls to protect the city and new canals to He build new walls to protect the city and new canals to
improve cropsimprove crops Economy based on agriculture and wool / clothEconomy based on agriculture and wool / cloth individuals could individuals could own landown land around cities around cities Artisans and merchants could keep most profits and even Artisans and merchants could keep most profits and even
formed guilds / associationsformed guilds / associations GrainGrain used as the medium of exchange > emergence of used as the medium 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 by metals which was one Mina was eventually represented by metals which was one of first uses of money (but it was still based on grain)of first uses of money (but it was still based on grain)
HammurabiHammurabi’’s Legacy: s Legacy: law codelaw code
BabyloniansBabylonians
• 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…
Code of HammurabiCode of Hammurabi To enforce his rule, Hammurabi collected all the To enforce his rule, Hammurabi collected all the
laws of Babylon in a code that would apply laws of Babylon in a code that would apply everywhere in the landeverywhere in the land
Most extensive law code from the ancient world (c. Most extensive law code from the ancient world (c. 1800 BCE)1800 BCE)
Code of Code of 282 laws282 laws inscribed on a inscribed on a stone pillarstone pillar placed placed in the public hall for all to seein the public hall for all to see
Hammurabi Stone depicts Hammurabi Stone depicts HammurabiHammurabi as as receiving receiving his authority from god Shamashhis authority from god Shamash
Set of divinely inspired laws; as well as societal lawsSet of divinely inspired laws; as well as societal laws
Punishments were designed to fit the crimes as Punishments were designed to fit the crimes as people must be responsible for own actions people must be responsible for own actions
Hammurabi Code was an origin to the concept of Hammurabi Code was an origin to the concept of ““eye for an eye…eye for an eye…”” ie. If a son struck his father, the ie. If a son struck his father, the sonson’’s hand would be cut offs hand would be cut off
Consequences for crimes depended on rank in Consequences for crimes depended on rank in society (ie. only fines for nobility)society (ie. only fines for nobility)
1010thth century BCE, Assyria emerged as century BCE, Assyria emerged as dominant force in the northdominant force in the north
City of City of AssurAssur- became important - became important trading and political centertrading and political center
After HammurabiAfter Hammurabi’’s death, Babylon s death, Babylon fell apart and kings of Assur fell apart and kings of Assur controlled more of surrounding area controlled more of surrounding area and came to dominate and came to dominate
Made conquered lands pay Made conquered lands pay taxestaxes (food, animals, metals or wood)(food, animals, metals or wood)
Rule by fear as kings were first to Rule by fear as kings were first to have a have a permanentpermanent army made up of army made up of professional soldiers (estimated 200 professional soldiers (estimated 200 000 men)000 men)
Made superior weapons of bronze Made superior weapons of bronze and and ironiron
iron changed lifestyles in iron changed lifestyles in Mesopotamia in weapons and in daily Mesopotamia in weapons and in daily life ie. replaced wooden wheels and life ie. replaced wooden wheels and applied to horse drawn chariotsapplied to horse drawn chariots
Development
Of
WRITING
Development of WritingDevelopment of Writing
Click Click here to see the to see the development of writingdevelopment of writingfrom from pictograms to pictograms to cuneiformcuneiform
Pictograms: picture to show meaning Pictograms: picture to show meaning Ideograms: signs to represent words / ideasIdeograms: signs to represent words / ideas Phonetics: signs to represent soundsPhonetics: signs to represent sounds
*Phonetics are the basis of most writing *Phonetics are the basis of most writing systemssystems
Cuneiform Cuneiform WritingWriting Greatest contribution of Greatest contribution of
Mesopotamia to western civilization Mesopotamia to western civilization was the invention of writingwas the invention of writing
allowed the allowed the transmission of transmission of knowledge, the codification of laws, knowledge, the codification of laws, records to facilitate trade / farmingrecords to facilitate trade / farming
Sumerians wrote on wet clay tablets Sumerians wrote on wet clay tablets with the point of a with the point of a reedreed > then dried > then dried in the sun to make a tabletin the sun to make a tablet
ScribesScribes were only ones who could were only ones who could read and write and served as priests, read and write and served as priests, record keepers and accountantsrecord keepers and accountants
As society evolved, the first form of As society evolved, the first form of writing was developed called writing was developed called CUNEIFORM CUNEIFORM (meaning (meaning ““wedge wedge shapedshaped””), dating to 3500 BCE), dating to 3500 BCE
Cuneiform spread to Persia and Cuneiform spread to Persia and Egypt and became the vehicle for the Egypt and became the vehicle for the growth and spread of civilization and growth and spread of civilization and the exchange of ideas among the exchange of ideas among cultures cultures
Checkpoint!Checkpoint!
Answer using the A.C.E. strategy.Answer using the A.C.E. strategy.
– Why was the development of writing so important?
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
Royal Royal TombsTombs of Ur of Ur
From 1922 to 1934, excavation of From 1922 to 1934, excavation of the ancient the ancient Sumerian city of UrSumerian city of Ur
City famed in Bible as the home of City famed in Bible as the home of patriarch Abrahampatriarch Abraham
discoveries such as extravagant discoveries such as extravagant jewelry of gold, cups of gold and jewelry of gold, cups of gold and silver, bowls of alabaster, and silver, bowls of alabaster, and extraordinary objects of art and extraordinary objects of art and culture culture
opened the world's eyes to the opened the world's eyes to the full glory of ancient Sumerian full glory of ancient Sumerian culture culture
Great Death PitGreat Death Pit mass grave containing the bodies mass grave containing the bodies
of 6 guards and 68 servantsof 6 guards and 68 servants grave was a great funeral grave was a great funeral
processionprocession drank poison, choosing to drank poison, choosing to
accompany the kings and queens accompany the kings and queens in the afterlifein the afterlife
Interesting Facts!Interesting Facts! Mesopotamia, specifically Babylon used a Mesopotamia, specifically Babylon used a
mathematical system based on sixty as all mathematical system based on sixty as all their numbers were expressed as parts of or their numbers were expressed as parts of or multiples of sixty multiples of sixty
Some parts of the Some parts of the ‘‘base-sixtybase-sixty’’ system still system still remain today: 360 degrees in a circle, 60 remain today: 360 degrees in a circle, 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in 1 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in 1 hourhour
Devised a calendar base on cycles of the Devised a calendar base on cycles of the moon (number of days between the moon (number of days between the appearance of two new moons was set as a appearance of two new moons was set as a month; 12 cycles made up a yearmonth; 12 cycles made up a year
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
HammurabiHammurabi’’s law s law codecode
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
Checkpoint!Checkpoint!
Using the A.C.E. Strategy, answer the Using the A.C.E. Strategy, answer the following question:following question:– Looking at the facts from Sumer, Looking at the facts from Sumer,
Babylon and Assyria, who do you think Babylon and Assyria, who do you think was the best and why?was the best and why?
Legacies of MesopotamiaLegacies of MesopotamiaRevolutionary innovationsRevolutionary innovations emerged in emerged in
Mesopotamia such as:Mesopotamia such as: codified lawscodified laws zigguratsziggurats CuneiformCuneiform IrrigationIrrigation Metal working, toolsMetal working, tools TradeTrade transportationtransportation wheelwheel WritingWriting mathematicsmathematics prosperous living based on large scale prosperous living based on large scale
agriculture agriculture