Mesopotamia

MesopotamiaMesopotamia – “The land

between the rivers.”Refers specifically to the

fertile valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern-day Iraq.

First large scale societyWater from the rivers

was used to irrigate fields of barley, wheat, and peas.

MesopotamiaSumer

Land in the Southern half of Mesopotamia

By 3000 B.C.E almost one hundred thousand people

Sumerians dominated Mesopotamia

Many people migrated there (Semitic Migrants)

MesopotamiaSumerian City-States

Dominated public affairs in MesopotamiaControlled public affairs in cities and

surrounding agricultural regions Coordinated projects to benefit the community

(Defense walls, temples, etc) Irrigation systems especially important

Kept the peace… prevented conflicts b/t residents Ziggurat in Uruk

MesopotamiaSumerian Kings

By 3000 B.C.E. most Sumerian cities had kings.

Most of which had come to power through military valor.

The Course of EmpireSome kings attempted to exert control over

larger regions by taking over other cities and placing their own governors in control.

The Course of EmpireHammurabi and the

Babylonian EmpireDominated

Mesopotamia until 1600 B.C.E.

Ruled through centralized bureaucracy (in Babylon) and regular taxation

The Course of EmpireHammurabi’s Laws

Compiled extensive list of laws to regulate behavior and promote welfare

High standards for behavior and stern punishments for violators

Relied heavily on the principle of lex talionis, “the law of retaliation.” Punishments fit the crime – i.e. penalty for murder is

death Only for even classes though

i.e. if a noble murdered a noble the penalty would be death, but not if a noble murdered a slave

The Course of EmpireBabylon fell about

1595 B.C.E. to the HittitesChaos ensued for

several centuries following

Later Mesopotamian EmpiresAssyrian Empire –

1300 B.C.E. – 600 B.C.E.

Nebuchadnezzar and the New Babylonian Empire – 600 B.C.E. – 550 B.C.E.

Economic Specialization and TradeMesopotamia

developmentsBronze MetallurgyIron MetallurgyThe WheelShipbuildingTrade Networks

The Emergence of a Stratified Patriarchal SocietySocial Classes

Kings (Hereditary)Priests and PriestessesFree commoners

(owned property)Dependent clients (no

property)Slaves (Prisoners of

War, Convicted Criminals, indebted individuals)

Patriarchal SocietyMen

In charge of public and private affairsHead of households

WomenA few priestessesSome scribesSexual and social behavior strictly controlled

(Viels)

The Development of Written Cultural TraditionsWorld’s earliest known

writing came from Mesopotamia

Cuneiform – Depends on graphic symbols, one of the earliest writing forms (p. 44)Led to formal educationLed to rapid expansion

of knowledge, especially in Mathematics and Astronomy

The Epic of GilgameshFamous piece of

Mesopotamian literature and the earliest piece of human literature written about a demigod name Gilgamesh.

Influence of MesopotamiaJudaism – From the area of Palestine (present day

Israel). Believed in one God known as Yahweh.Phoenicians – Famous for maritime trade networks

and alphabet.Indo-Europeans – Spoke Indo-European language.

Migrated throughout much of Eurasia and had profound impact on southwest Asia.Moved into Europe (Celts… Dominant North of

Mediterranean) and India and IranHittites – Most powerful Indo-Europeans. Conquered

Mesopotamia in 1595 B.C.E. Horses domesticated… WAR CHARIOTS!