Ancient Mesopotamia

Since Mesopotamia was on the fertile crescent, it was ideal for farming – fertile soil and water supply. Most all of the civilizations that developed there were polytheistic, except the Hebrews (Israelites or Jews) who were monotheistic. They also had food surpluses which led to division of labor or job specialization because everyone didn’t have to take all of their time looking for food. They could control water and they invented the first writing system, cuneiform. These civilizations were the first to keep business records. Lastly, they had Hammurabi’s Code which contained 282 laws based on everyday life.

Mesopotamia ID’s

Fertile Crescent – a large arc of rich, or fertile farmland between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

Silt – a mixture of rich soil and tiny rocks…there was a lot of silt in this area because of the flooding of the rivers and that is what made this such good farm land.

Irrigation – a way of supplying water to an area of land. The civilizations here developed the first irrigation systems

Job Specialization – each worker specialized in a particular task or job. During this time was the first time humans could do this because they didn’t have to look so hard for food.

Cont’.

Levels of Civilization – Tribe Village City-State Empire

Polytheism – worshipping many gods/goddesses

Monotheism – worship of only one God

Social Hierarchy – division of society by rank or class. Ruler General Priest Scribe Artisan Peasant

Cuneiform – the world’s first system of writing

Hammurabi’s Code of Law – a set of 282 laws that dealt with almost every part of daily life.

Map of Mesopotamia

Achievements of Ancient Mesopotamia

Vast irrigation system

Levees along banks of the rivers

Canals to direct river water into the fields

Dams to stop the flow of water

Reservoirs to store water

First cities

First governments

Specialized jobs

First written language – cuneiform

Basic algebra and geometry

Measure and calculate seasons

60 minute hour, 360 degree circle

Became merchants (trade)

First wheeled wagons and carts

Sailboat

Chariot

Stringed instruments

First Empires

First written code of laws – Hammurabi

Created iron from iron ore

Developed an alphabet

First to use coins and money

First monotheistic religions