MesopotamiaMesopotamia

The Cradle of CivilizationThe Cradle of Civilization

Where Was It?Where Was It?

Mesopotamia was located in the Middle East, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name means “Land Between the Rivers.”

Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

River Valley CivilizationRiver Valley Civilization(brainstorm-discussion)(brainstorm-discussion)

What are the advantages to settling near a What are the advantages to settling near a major river?major river?

What might be some advantages and What might be some advantages and some disadvantages to living near two some disadvantages to living near two rivers?rivers?

Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

Border countriesBorder countries IranIran JordanJordan KuwaitKuwait Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia SyriaSyria TurkeyTurkey

EuphratesEuphrates Longest River-Middle East (1,740 miles)Longest River-Middle East (1,740 miles) Origins-Turkey (eastern highlands)Origins-Turkey (eastern highlands) 40% is in Turkey40% is in Turkey 25% is in Syria25% is in Syria 35% is in Iraq35% is in Iraq Peak flow in April & May (melting mountain Peak flow in April & May (melting mountain

snow)snow) Lowest level in August & September (need Lowest level in August & September (need

water to irrigate crops)water to irrigate crops) Source for drinking waterSource for drinking water

TigrisTigris (1,200 miles)(1,200 miles) Origins-Turkey (Taurus Mts. of eastern Origins-Turkey (Taurus Mts. of eastern

Turkey) Turkey) Tigris unites with the Euphrates near Basra, Tigris unites with the Euphrates near Basra,

Iraq.Iraq. Tigris is heavily dammed in Iraq and Turkey, Tigris is heavily dammed in Iraq and Turkey,

to provide water for irrigating the arid and to provide water for irrigating the arid and semi-desert regions bordering the river semi-desert regions bordering the river valley.valley.

ProblemsProblems

The people of The people of Mesopotamia often Mesopotamia often fought against each fought against each other for control of the other for control of the Tigris and Euphrates Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.Rivers.

These problems These problems continue to this day!continue to this day!

River ConflictsRiver Conflicts The people of Turkey want to build dams along the rivers The people of Turkey want to build dams along the rivers

for power and irrigation.for power and irrigation.

Syria and Iraq also want to use the waters from these Syria and Iraq also want to use the waters from these rivers for power and irrigation.rivers for power and irrigation.

Arguments over water from these rivers have almost led Arguments over water from these rivers have almost led to wars and require much diplomacy among the three to wars and require much diplomacy among the three countries.countries.

Map of Tigris-EuphratesMap of Tigris-EuphratesRegion (edible)Region (edible)

Review the map with a blank overhead map. Have students respond in unison while you point to Review the map with a blank overhead map. Have students respond in unison while you point to the locations of the items. Divide students into cooperative pairs ( or individual). Provide each the locations of the items. Divide students into cooperative pairs ( or individual). Provide each pair with a blank map, a sheet of wax paper and two gloves (one for each student). Students pair with a blank map, a sheet of wax paper and two gloves (one for each student). Students should be reminded of sanitary precautions to reduce the chance of germ transmission. Give should be reminded of sanitary precautions to reduce the chance of germ transmission. Give each pair a scoop of cookie dough from the recipe below. Dough should be shaped to cover the each pair a scoop of cookie dough from the recipe below. Dough should be shaped to cover the Tigris-Euphrates Region. Items such as chocolate chips, raisins, skittles, M&M's, blue icing in the Tigris-Euphrates Region. Items such as chocolate chips, raisins, skittles, M&M's, blue icing in the tubes (for water), coconut (snow), candy sprinkles, sugar crystal (ice), etc. should be used to tubes (for water), coconut (snow), candy sprinkles, sugar crystal (ice), etc. should be used to designate the mountains, capitol, important cities, rivers, lakes, oceans, bordering countries, etc. designate the mountains, capitol, important cities, rivers, lakes, oceans, bordering countries, etc. (Send a note home about 2 weeks in advance requesting parents to donate supplies including (Send a note home about 2 weeks in advance requesting parents to donate supplies including the small bathroom cups to pour the chips, coconut, etc. into for each pair.)the small bathroom cups to pour the chips, coconut, etc. into for each pair.)

Cookie Dough Recipe:Cookie Dough Recipe: 2 cups peanut butter2 cups peanut butter 2 cups light corn syrup (make sure there are no additives in the corn syrup)2 cups light corn syrup (make sure there are no additives in the corn syrup) 2 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar2 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar 2 and 1/2 cups powdered milk2 and 1/2 cups powdered milk Mix together in a HEAVY DUTY food processor. No cooking is required. I had to triple the recipe Mix together in a HEAVY DUTY food processor. No cooking is required. I had to triple the recipe

for 25 kids to make a 1/4 inch thick map that was smaller than a paper plate.for 25 kids to make a 1/4 inch thick map that was smaller than a paper plate.

Rubric/Map Rubric/Map

Terms To KnowTerms To Know

City-stateCity-state SumeriansSumerians civilizationcivilization CuneiformCuneiform HammurabiHammurabi UrUr BabylonBabylon

ZigguratZiggurat Hydroelectric Hydroelectric

powerpower DiplomacyDiplomacy DynastyDynasty FamineFamine SiltSilt FertileFertile

Fertile Crescent CivilizationsFertile Crescent Civilizations From 4000 to 1750 B.C.E. an area known as From 4000 to 1750 B.C.E. an area known as ““The Fertile CrescentThe Fertile Crescent””

emerged. emerged. Three major early civilizations developed here.Three major early civilizations developed here.

The first civilization to emerge was called The first civilization to emerge was called SumerSumer. Around 3,000 B.C.E. . Around 3,000 B.C.E. Sumerians Sumerians established city states. Ur is one of the most famous, though established city states. Ur is one of the most famous, though each developed as a separate each developed as a separate ‘‘countrycountry’’. From 3000-2000 B.C.E. there was . From 3000-2000 B.C.E. there was almost always some kind of warfare between the almost always some kind of warfare between the dynastiesdynasties..

Around 2350 B.C.E. Around 2350 B.C.E. AkkadAkkad defeated the city states of Sumer, thus defeated the city states of Sumer, thus SumerSumer’’s era began to fade out. The Akkadian Empire was the worlds era began to fade out. The Akkadian Empire was the world’’s first s first true empire, which lasted about 200 years. It ended due to true empire, which lasted about 200 years. It ended due to famines famines that that caused conflict in Akkadian society. caused conflict in Akkadian society.

Amorites invaded the area and established a capital at Amorites invaded the area and established a capital at BabylonBabylon, a city that , a city that reached its peak in 1750 B.C.E. These three civilizations have led us today reached its peak in 1750 B.C.E. These three civilizations have led us today to refer to the region as to refer to the region as ‘‘the Cradle of Civilizationthe Cradle of Civilization’’. .

SumerSumer

The first The first city-statecity-state

Mesopotamia & SumerMesopotamia & Sumer

‘‘There are two rivers that make up what the There are two rivers that make up what the ‘‘The fertile The fertile CrescentCrescent’’. They are the . They are the TigrisTigris and and EuphratesEuphrates rivers. rivers.

The rivers flooded once a year and left thick mud. The The rivers flooded once a year and left thick mud. The soil left behind after a flood is called soil left behind after a flood is called siltsilt.. This soil was This soil was good for farming, and gave surpluses that could be used good for farming, and gave surpluses that could be used for trading. for trading.

Around 3300 BCE a group of people called Around 3300 BCE a group of people called SumeriansSumerians were attracted to the rich soil and settled the area.were attracted to the rich soil and settled the area.

There were problems they faced, however. Over a long There were problems they faced, however. Over a long period of time people learned to solve these problems. period of time people learned to solve these problems.

MesopotamiaMesopotamia

ProblemsProblems Unpredictable flooding; land became desert-Unpredictable flooding; land became desert-

like if there was only a little rain.like if there was only a little rain.

Villages and towns were on flat land with no Villages and towns were on flat land with no natural barriers ? very difficult to defend. In natural barriers ? very difficult to defend. In the beginning there were no standing the beginning there were no standing armies.armies.

Sumerians had few resources available for Sumerians had few resources available for building and making tools.building and making tools.

Sumerians had to develop agriculture, Sumerians had to develop agriculture, continue digging out canals so that irrigation continue digging out canals so that irrigation could continue to work, build city walls and could continue to work, build city walls and temples (and deal with the problems of temples (and deal with the problems of completing major projects!). Land wasncompleting major projects!). Land wasn’’t so t so free and available, and the quality or farm free and available, and the quality or farm land varied. Water was also sometimes land varied. Water was also sometimes scarce, especially during dry seasons.scarce, especially during dry seasons.

SolutionsSolutions The Sumerians dug into the banks and The Sumerians dug into the banks and

created irrigation canals that carried water created irrigation canals that carried water to fields. They could grow a surplus of to fields. They could grow a surplus of crops.crops.

The Sumerians built mud-brick walls around The Sumerians built mud-brick walls around their cities for defense. their cities for defense.

They traded cloth, surplus grain, and crafter They traded cloth, surplus grain, and crafter tools with the people of the mountains and tools with the people of the mountains and deserts. In return they received stone, wood deserts. In return they received stone, wood and metals. and metals.

Leaders were chosen to organize large Leaders were chosen to organize large labor forces to plan and supervises major labor forces to plan and supervises major projects. They had to see that they got raw projects. They had to see that they got raw materials and could feed the workforce. materials and could feed the workforce. Laws were made to settle disputes about Laws were made to settle disputes about land and water distribution . land and water distribution .

Mesopotamia:Mesopotamia:Historical ImportanceHistorical Importance

Mesopotamia was considered the Mesopotamia was considered the ““cradle of civilizationcradle of civilization”” because it is where man first started to settle down.because it is where man first started to settle down.

The fertile valley allowed early man to farm for the first The fertile valley allowed early man to farm for the first time.time.

Because he could grow his own food, he could settle in Because he could grow his own food, he could settle in one place.one place.

Once man started settlements, all sorts of things started Once man started settlements, all sorts of things started happening!happening!

SumerSumer

The people of Sumer were called The people of Sumer were called SumeriansSumerians..

They developed a civilization around They developed a civilization around 3000 BC.3000 BC.

The Sumerians were the first to:The Sumerians were the first to: Develop a system of writing (cuneiform)Develop a system of writing (cuneiform) Develop a system of governmentDevelop a system of government Develop an organized religionDevelop an organized religion Develop a system of lawsDevelop a system of laws

Developing WritingDeveloping Writing Cuneiform – wedge-Cuneiform – wedge-

shaped writing shaped writing developed by developed by SumeriansSumerians

ScribesScribes used reeds on used reeds on clayclay

Began as Began as ““picture picture writing,writing,”” then became then became more standardmore standard

Cuneiform – wedge-shaped Cuneiform – wedge-shaped writing developed by writing developed by

SumeriansSumerians Using clay or other appropriate materials,Using clay or other appropriate materials,

write a message about your Sumerianwrite a message about your Sumerian

Civilization.Civilization.

Developing GovernmentDeveloping Government The first governments The first governments

were were democratic.democratic.

Over time, the people Over time, the people became ruled by a king, became ruled by a king, who was also head of who was also head of their religion.their religion.

One of the most famous One of the most famous kings was named kings was named Hammurabi.Hammurabi.

Organizing a ReligionOrganizing a Religion The Sumerians The Sumerians

worshipped many gods.worshipped many gods. (Polytheistic)(Polytheistic)

They developed They developed astrologyastrology as a way of learning as a way of learning about their gods.about their gods.

They did not believe in a They did not believe in a life after death.life after death.

Their religious temple Their religious temple was called a ziggurat.was called a ziggurat.

The famous ziggurat at Ur.

The Epic of GilgameshThe Epic of Gilgamesh

Read a story from the Epic of Gilgamesh

The Epic of Gilgamesh comes from the Sumerians. It is one of the oldest written stories in the world. The story is a legend about one of their kings.

Developing LawsDeveloping Laws Sumerians developed a Sumerians developed a

system of law under King system of law under King Hammurabi.Hammurabi.

The Code of Hammurabi was The Code of Hammurabi was the first time a system of laws the first time a system of laws was organized and written.was organized and written.

The laws were the basis of The laws were the basis of later laws and required later laws and required ““an eye an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.””

The Code of HammurabiThe Code of Hammurabi

If any one is committing a robbery and is If any one is committing a robbery and is caught… caught…

he shall be put to he shall be put to deathdeath. . If a slave say to his master: "You are not If a slave say to his master: "You are not

my master," if they convict him my master," if they convict him his master shall his master shall cut off his earcut off his ear. .

The Code of HammurabiThe Code of Hammurabi

Primary Source Analysis (Groups)Primary Source Analysis (Groups)

Report Out!Report Out!

Individually: Write a short Individually: Write a short persuasive persuasive speech in support of your changes to speech in support of your changes to HammurabiHammurabi’’s Code. s Code.

Persuasive WritingPersuasive Writing

What is persuasive writing?What is persuasive writing?

Your point of view about the topicYour point of view about the topic

Convince the audience v. DemandingConvince the audience v. Demanding

Detailed Reasons/ExamplesDetailed Reasons/Examples

Conclusion (Not THE END)Conclusion (Not THE END) Hamburger ModelHamburger Model RubricRubric

Persuasive WritingPersuasive Writing

Brainstorm orally and writtenBrainstorm orally and written Rough DraftRough Draft Confer/ReviseConfer/Revise EditEdit Final CopyFinal Copy

Student PresentationsStudent Presentations

Persuasive Speeches Persuasive Speeches

(Hammurabi(Hammurabi’’s Code)s Code)

New TechnologiesNew Technologies

Printing cylindersPrinting cylinders Mathematics:Mathematics:

A system based on 60A system based on 60 The 360° circleThe 360° circle

The wheelThe wheel Reinforced bricks for buildingsReinforced bricks for buildings The kiln (used to fire bricks)The kiln (used to fire bricks) The game of checkersThe game of checkers

The BabyloniansThe Babylonians Babylonia was created when the Babylonia was created when the

countries of Sumer and Akkad countries of Sumer and Akkad were brought together under were brought together under Hammurabi.Hammurabi.

The Babylonians continued to The Babylonians continued to develop a complex culture.develop a complex culture.

The Hanging Gardens of The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were one of the Seven Babylon were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.Wonders of the Ancient World.

A 16th century painting depicting the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, with the Tower of Babel in the background.