River Valleys

Beginnings of Civilization

Class Structure Priests:

They were in charge of making sure everyone behaved in a way that would make the gods happy.

They were the doctors of the time. Highest class

Class Structure Upper Class:

Men and women wore jewelry, especially rings.

Men wore skirts and had long hair, curly moustaches, and long beards.

Women wore dresses, off one shoulder. They had long hair, which they braided or

wore up in fancy arrangements.

Class Structure Lower Class:

In ancient Sumer, people were paid for their work.

Although the lower class did not have the luxury lifestyle of the rich, they were comfortable.

They wore jewelry Although perhaps it was not made of gold.  

There was no law that said they could not move up the social scale.

Class Structure Slaves:

When the Sumerians conquered another town, they brought prisoners back with them to act as slaves.

Slaves worked for the king, the temple and the wealthy.

Slaves were bought and sold. Records have been found recording the amount paid for a slave.

Typically, a slave bought at auction cost less than a donkey but more than a cow.

Education The ancient Sumerians believed in

education. Record keeping was very important to

them. They wrote everything down. They wanted their sons to learn how to read and write.

Schools were attached to temples. Only boys went to school. 

Teachers were very strict.

Education Students had to do a perfect job, or they

were punished (usually whipped.)  In spite of the punishment they quite often

received, most students wanted to go to school anyway.

Someone who could read and write could always find a good job.

Government Government: The ancient Mesopotamians

created a government that was a combination of: monarchy and democracy.

Government Kings ruled the people. Elected officials

who served in the Assembly also ruled the people.

Even kings had to ask the Assembly for permission to do certain things.

Government Law and Order: Law held a special place

in their civilization. 

Why?

Where were they? Ancient River

Valley Civilizations

Modern Civilizations

Hammurabi

• Hammurabi was the 6th king of the 1st Babylonian dynasty

• He was a strong leader and warrior

• Wrote down the first set of laws which were named the Code of Hammurabi

The Code of Hammurabi

As ancient communities grew larger, they needed a stronger central government to complete and take care of necessary public projects such as the canals that allowed Babylon to

grow surplus foods

The Code of Hammurabi

To maintain law and order for keeping life in cities running smoothly.

Such a system requires some order of the law as well as an educated class to serve as judges and court recorders.

Group Work Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4

Class Laws

Homework 😃😳😁 Read pgs 109-113 and define the vocab and

locate the places.