Sumer and BabylonSumer and Babylon

3000 B.C.3000 B.C.

Around the time that Around the time that Menes unified Egypt, Menes unified Egypt, about a dozen small about a dozen small cities dotted cities dotted Mesopotamia. This Mesopotamia. This area was known as area was known as Sumer.Sumer.

The SumeriansThe Sumerians

Valued IndependenceValued Independence Fought against being ruled by othersFought against being ruled by others Shared a rich cultural heritageShared a rich cultural heritage Worked to control Tigris and EuphratesWorked to control Tigris and Euphrates Worshiped similar godsWorshiped similar gods Made some of the first wheeled vehicles Made some of the first wheeled vehicles

and sailboatsand sailboats

CuneiformCuneiform

Invention of writing helped to bring Invention of writing helped to bring _________ _____________ together._________ _____________ together.

Ancient citiesAncient cities

CuneiformCuneiform

First developed to record farm surpluses.First developed to record farm surpluses. Used sharp reeds to scratch the records Used sharp reeds to scratch the records

into wet clay tabletsinto wet clay tablets 3500 B.C.- oldest tablets3500 B.C.- oldest tablets 11stst symbols looked much like pictures of symbols looked much like pictures of

what they were describingwhat they were describing Over time, symbols were simplifiedOver time, symbols were simplified 500 signs were used500 signs were used

School in SumerSchool in Sumer

Few people could Few people could write, not even kingswrite, not even kings

It was an honor to go It was an honor to go to school and learn to to school and learn to be a scribebe a scribe

Boys and VERY few Boys and VERY few girlsgirls

Steps in SchoolSteps in School

1.) Learned how to make clay tablets and 1.) Learned how to make clay tablets and reed pensreed pens

2.) Practiced over and over how to write 2.) Practiced over and over how to write basic signs of cuneiformbasic signs of cuneiform

3.) Also had to study mathematics so they 3.) Also had to study mathematics so they could keep accurate recordscould keep accurate records

Trained ScribesTrained Scribes

Could write most anythingCould write most anything Even wrote love letters and sealed them in Even wrote love letters and sealed them in

clay envelopes.clay envelopes. Recorded stories, laws, and songsRecorded stories, laws, and songs

Through cuneiform, we know about an early Through cuneiform, we know about an early Sumerian mythical hero named Gilgamesh.Sumerian mythical hero named Gilgamesh.

City-States of SumerCity-States of Sumer

City-state: self-governing city that also City-state: self-governing city that also governs surrounding villages.governs surrounding villages.

City-States often went to war to gain City-States often went to war to gain control of floodwatercontrol of floodwater

Because of this, large walls were built Because of this, large walls were built around the city for protectionaround the city for protection

Sumerian KingsSumerian Kings

King’s palace could be seen from almost King’s palace could be seen from almost everywhere in the cityeverywhere in the city

Kings served as generals, judges, and Kings served as generals, judges, and canal overseerscanal overseers

Sumerian kings were not considered to be Sumerian kings were not considered to be godsgods

RELIGIONRELIGION

Ziggurat- large building with a temple on Ziggurat- large building with a temple on its peakits peak

Ziggurat stood in the center of townZiggurat stood in the center of town Sumerians believed in polytheismSumerians believed in polytheism Polytheism-belief in more than one godPolytheism-belief in more than one god

Ishtar- goddess of love and warIshtar- goddess of love and war Enki-god of waterEnki-god of water

Uniting the city-statesUniting the city-states

City-states were united under Sargon, king of City-states were united under Sargon, king of city-state Kish in 2300 B.C.city-state Kish in 2300 B.C.

Sumerians traded with the Phoenicians.Sumerians traded with the Phoenicians. Phoenicians sent wine and timber and received Phoenicians sent wine and timber and received

Mesopotamian farm products and other goods.Mesopotamian farm products and other goods. Cuneiform was used throughout Sargon’s Cuneiform was used throughout Sargon’s

empire, and he could send instructions and empire, and he could send instructions and govern over great distances.govern over great distances.

Sargon’s rule lasted 56 years, until city-states Sargon’s rule lasted 56 years, until city-states rebelled.rebelled.

The Rise of BabylonThe Rise of Babylon

Almost 500 years passed before another Almost 500 years passed before another empire controlled.empire controlled.

A group of people moved into A group of people moved into Mesopotamia and created the city of Mesopotamia and created the city of BabylonBabylon

1800 B.C. Hammurabi began a drive to 1800 B.C. Hammurabi began a drive to gain control over the old Sumer and gain control over the old Sumer and created a huge empire.created a huge empire.

BabyloniaBabylonia

Rich and PowerfulRich and Powerful Still used cuneiformStill used cuneiform First dictionaries were created so First dictionaries were created so

Babylonians could adopt Sumerian culture Babylonians could adopt Sumerian culture and language.and language.

Code of LawCode of Law

1901- Archaeologists found a stone pillar 1901- Archaeologists found a stone pillar from ancient Babylonfrom ancient Babylon

Pillar was inscribed with over 200 laws in Pillar was inscribed with over 200 laws in cuneiform.cuneiform.

4000 years old4000 years old Known as the Code of HammurabiKnown as the Code of Hammurabi

Code of HammurabiCode of Hammurabi

World’s oldest codes of lawWorld’s oldest codes of law Code of law- written set of laws that apply Code of law- written set of laws that apply

to everyone under a governmentto everyone under a government Slavery existedSlavery existed Not everyone was treated equalNot everyone was treated equal

The “New” BabyloniaThe “New” Babylonia

After Hammurabi died, about 1750 B.C., After Hammurabi died, about 1750 B.C., Babylon began to fall apart.Babylon began to fall apart.

689 B.C. Babylon was completely 689 B.C. Babylon was completely destroyed by powerful rulers from destroyed by powerful rulers from Nineweh.Nineweh.

60 years later, Babylon was rebuilt and 60 years later, Babylon was rebuilt and soon became the world’s largest city.soon became the world’s largest city.

New BabylonNew Babylon

Great Beauty and TechnologyGreat Beauty and Technology Two massive walls and a moat protected the cityTwo massive walls and a moat protected the city City was split in two by Euphrates RiverCity was split in two by Euphrates River Connected by moveable bridge and an Connected by moveable bridge and an

underwater tunnelunderwater tunnel Huge zigguratHuge ziggurat Grid-style streets, sewer and water systemsGrid-style streets, sewer and water systems Three/Four Story HomesThree/Four Story Homes Hanging GardensHanging Gardens

SORROWSORROW

Not everyone thought Not everyone thought of Babylon as a of Babylon as a wonderful placewonderful place

These newcomers These newcomers were prisoners from were prisoners from what is today Israel.what is today Israel.