Bell RingerBell Ringer

Where was Mesopotamia?Where was Mesopotamia?

Why was the region of Mesopotamia Why was the region of Mesopotamia so well suited for the growth of a so well suited for the growth of a civilization?civilization?

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA- ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA- ““THE LAND BETWEEN TWO THE LAND BETWEEN TWO

RIVERS”RIVERS”

ObjectiveObjective

- Global Citizens can identify cultural - Global Citizens can identify cultural elements of Mesopotamiaelements of Mesopotamia

- Global Citizens can evaluate the - Global Citizens can evaluate the importance of government in importance of government in MesopotamiaMesopotamia

AgendaAgenda

Vocabulary Vocabulary

Review geography and life in Review geography and life in MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Discuss GovernmentDiscuss Government

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA- ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA- VocabularyVocabulary

CivilizationCivilization

IrrigationIrrigation

City-StateCity-State

ArtisanArtisan

CuneiformCuneiform

ScribeScribe

Write the definition of each word in Write the definition of each word in your OWN words and draw a picture your OWN words and draw a picture underneathunderneath

Mesopotamia’s Civilization

• Rivers were important because they made for good farming conditions.

• They also made it easy for people to travel and trade.

• Civilizations are complex societies with cities, governments, art, religion, class divisions, and a writing system.

(pages 17–20)

• Governments were formed because someone had to make plans and decisions for the common good.

Mesopotamian Civilization

• Floods in Mesopotamia were frequent and unpredictable.

• Farmers learned to control the rivers with dams and channels.

• Mesopotamia is a flat plain bounded by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Mesopotamia’s Civilization (cont.)

• They also used the rivers to irrigate, or water, their crops. (turn to pg 18 for definition)

Mesopotamian Civilization

(pages 17–20)

ANCIENTANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA-MESOPOTAMIA-GEOGRAPHYGEOGRAPHY

LOCATED BETWEEN THE TIGRIS-LOCATED BETWEEN THE TIGRIS-EUPHRATES RIVERSEUPHRATES RIVERS

BOTH RIVERS FLOW INTO THE BOTH RIVERS FLOW INTO THE PERSIAN GULFPERSIAN GULF

LOCATED IN PRESENT DAY IRAQLOCATED IN PRESENT DAY IRAQ

Hot and Dry ClimateHot and Dry Climate

Fertile CrescentFertile Crescent

MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Which two rivers is Which two rivers is Mesopotamia between?Mesopotamia between?

What is an advantage of living What is an advantage of living near a river?near a river?

Which modern day country used Which modern day country used to be Mesopotamia?to be Mesopotamia?

What is the name of the first civilization What is the name of the first civilization to live in Mesopotamia?to live in Mesopotamia?

City-StatesCity-StatesIndependent state made up by a city and the surrounding land and villages•Had its own government and was not part of any other larger unit

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA- ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA- SUMERIAN CITY-STATESSUMERIAN CITY-STATES

ALWAYS IN CONSTANT ALWAYS IN CONSTANT CONFLICT OVER WATER CONFLICT OVER WATER RIGHTS AND LANDRIGHTS AND LAND• Went to war with one Went to war with one

anotheranother• Wanted glory, land, and Wanted glory, land, and

waterwater

CREATED WALLS FOR CREATED WALLS FOR PROTECTION, WITH PROTECTION, WITH MOATS ALONG THE MOATS ALONG THE OUTSIDEOUTSIDEFARMS WERE LOCATED FARMS WERE LOCATED ALONG THE OUTSIDE OF ALONG THE OUTSIDE OF THE CITYTHE CITY

City StatesCity States

With the rise of cities came the With the rise of cities came the need for Government.need for Government.

THINK-Write- DISCUSSTHINK-Write- DISCUSS

““I agree with this statement because…”I agree with this statement because…”

““I disagree with this statement because…”I disagree with this statement because…”

Though _______makes a good point, I Though _______makes a good point, I respectfully disagree because…”respectfully disagree because…”

ReligionReligion

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA- ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA- SUMERIAN RELIGIONSUMERIAN RELIGION

Ziggurats: pyramid site Ziggurats: pyramid site of the temple of the of the temple of the main gods.main gods.– Each city-state had their Each city-state had their

own gods and goddessesown gods and goddesses– Sun god – most Sun god – most

important.important.

Life after death was an Life after death was an extension of life.extension of life.

Ziggurat – Mountain of God – Mountain of God

Sumerian ReligionSumerian Religion

Monotheism: Monotheism: worshiping one god.worshiping one god.– ““Mono” – means oneMono” – means one

Polytheism: worshiping Polytheism: worshiping many gods.many gods.– ““Poly” – means manyPoly” – means many

ZigguratZiggurat

Large pyramid shaped structuresLarge pyramid shaped structures

Connected to heaven and earthConnected to heaven and earth

Ziggurat: “center for learning and Ziggurat: “center for learning and religion”religion”

Life in SumerLife in Sumer

Ordinary people lived in mud-brick Ordinary people lived in mud-brick houseshouses

Most were farmers but some were Most were farmers but some were artisansartisans– Skilled workersSkilled workers

3 social classes3 social classes– Upper: Kings, Priests, and GovernmentUpper: Kings, Priests, and Government– Middle: artisans, farmers, dishersMiddle: artisans, farmers, dishers– Low: SlavesLow: Slaves

Check for UnderstandingCheck for Understanding

Think Pair Share: Think Pair Share:

Describe the government of Describe the government of MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Describe the Religion of Describe the Religion of MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Exit Ticket:Exit Ticket:

Use the ACES methodUse the ACES method

A: Answer the questionA: Answer the question

C: Cite details (use details that C: Cite details (use details that support your Answer)support your Answer)

E: Explain how these details support E: Explain how these details support your answeryour answer

S: Summarize your answer S: Summarize your answer

Sample: Exit TicketSample: Exit TicketWhat was life like for farmers in Mesopotamia?:A: The life of the farmer in Mesopotamia had its fair share of problems until they figured out a system for controlling waterC: According to the text, “The Tigris and Euphrates rivers surrounding Mesopotamia were unpredictable and would flood without warning, so the farmers designed irrigation systems that controlled the water.”E: Because the rivers were unpredictable, the flooding could wipe out villages or leave the crops without water for months, so when farmers learned to control the water, they did not have to worry as much about flooding.S: The irrigation system in Mesopotamia helped farmers learn to control the rivers and helped make them more successful

Exit Ticket:Exit Ticket: