Mesopotamia

1. Sumer

a. Geographyi. Located in an area

called the Fertile Crescent

1. It is a region that curves between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf

2. This is also a fertile area that is located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

ii. Area is referred to as Mesopotamia

b. Cityi. Considered to be

the world’s first civilization

ii. In the center of the city was a large temple called a ziggurat

1. A ziggurat is a pyramid like structure

iii. Formed city-states over time1. A city-state is a political unit with its own

government2. Many city-states would form dynasties

c. Religioni. Were polytheisticii. Believed the gods controlled all natural forcesiii. Believed that a god protected each city-stateiv. Priests held a high status in Sumer

d. Writingi. Developed a form of writing called cuneiformii. Used to keep business accounts, to write works on

law and grammar as well as literatureiii. “Epic of Gilgamesh”

1. Best know Sumerian work2. About a legendary king

e. Mathematicsi. Developed their own math system based on the

number 60ii. Used geometry to build elaborate structures and

irrigation systems

f. Sciencesi. Invented the wheel to make pottery and other

vehiclesii. Developed the plowiii. Used bronze to make stronger tools and weaponsiv. Built a sewer systemv. Catalogued medical knowledgevi. Performed basic surgeryvii. Architecture included arches, ramps, and columns

g. Social Structurei. Developed out of their trading industryii. At the top was the king, priests and principal

agentsiii. Next came large land owners and merchantsiv. Below them were farmers, artisans, and laborersv. At the bottom were slaves

h. Gender Rolesi. Men held political power and made lawsii. Women stayed at home and took care of the home

and children

2. Babylonian Empire

a. Hammurabii. 1792 B.C. became

the king of Babylonii. United

Mesopotamia and formed the Babylonian Empire

iii. Accomplishments1. Building projects2. Improved tax collection system3. Increased trade4. Established schools

a. Taught Sumerian language and cuneiform

iv. Allowed priests to have their powerful rolesv. Honored old Sumerian gods

b. Hammurabi’s codei. Dealt with

everything from trade and theft to injury and murder

ii. Code was important because it was written down for everyone to see