World History

Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia

The Impact of Geography

Mesopotamia: The land between the riversTigris and Euphrates

The Fertile Crescent: Larger area (from Med. Sea to the Persian Gulf)

Impact: Rivers deposited silt when they flooded in late SpringEventually the people learn to control the water

with irrigation and drainage

Fertile Crescent

Akkadia and Sumeria

The Sumerians

By 3000 BC there were a number of independent cities in Southern Mesopotamia which developed into city-statesThe centerpiece of each of these cities was

the temple which was built on massive stepped tower called a Ziggurat

GovernmentTheocracies: monarchies by divine

authority

Ziggurat

Empires in Mesopotamia

Eventually these city states fell into conflict with each other and outside forces

2340 BC The Akkadians and their leader Sargon conquered the region and set up the worlds first Empire (fell in 2100 BC)

1792 BC Hammurabi (leader of the Babylonians gained control of Akad and SumerHammurabi’s Code? (eye for an eye)Patriarchal society

Religion and Creativity

Religion: Polytheistic (3000 or more gods usually associated with nature

Creativity:Writing (Cuneiform) to pass down knowledge

and record eventsThe Epic of Gilgamesh (immortality for gods

only)Technology Bronze (copper and tin), wagon

wheel, potters wheel, sundial

Assyrians and Persians

A Mighty Military Machine850 BC, the Assyrians advanced from the

northern part of Mesopotamia Open area, Little protection

Relied on military strength for defense from outside attack

Assyrian Empire stretched from north and east of the Tigris river to Egypt

Development of WeaponsArmor, Weapons, Organization

Assyrian Rule650 BC

Height of ruleFell by 612 BC

Organization of conquered areas into empire

Divided into regionsAssyrians choose

rulersTaxes and Tribute

Assyrian CultureAssyrian Kings were

great builders, not just destroyers

NinevehCapital city

Ashurbanipal Great warriorCould read many

languages Library

25,000 clay tablets

Nebuchadnezzar Chaldean King of

Babylon (604-562BC)Restoration of Babylon

Euphrates through the cityWalls

4 Horse Chariot could ride on top

Hanging gardens of BabylonMade for homesick wife75 feet above the groundHydraulic pumps

Babylon fell after Nebuchadnezzar's death to the Persian Empire

Rise of the Persian Empire(559 BC -330 BC)

CyrusRuled from 559-530 BCMilitary genius, but great Administrator Method of governing

Kindness to conquered people Religiously tolerant (opposite of the Assyrians)

Darius (522-486 BC) Created an effective style of administrationEmpire reached its greatest extentReturn to toleration and Cyrus’ style of rule

Provinces and Royal Road

Darius was a great warrior, but his genius was governing 20 provinces

Darius still ruled with absolute powerSatraps (gov’s)

Kings eyes and earsTax collectors

Royal RoadRoyal Road ““Interstate 95”Interstate 95” Ran across the Persian Ran across the Persian

empireempire 1,677 mile long1,677 mile long 111 posts (Rest Stations)111 posts (Rest Stations)

15 miles apart 15 miles apart MessengerMessenger

7 days 7 days

Increased trade and Increased trade and communication communication throughout the empirethroughout the empire