Civilization: a group of people who have reached
an advanced stage of development; sometimes
extended to people who did not write and were
nomadic, but still created a rich and unique
culture
-organized methods of farming
-large population that is settled in towns and
cities
-a developed system of writing
-a method of government
-large monuments for their gods and rulers
Spiritual Beginnings (p. 16)
Middle East is often called
the “cradle of civilization”
From their interactions,
we have the basic
elements of civilization:
law, commerce, arts,
religion, education, and
literature
River Cultures: Nile, Tigris, and Euphrates
-provided water for people, livestock, agriculture
-easy travel (promoting commerce and social
interaction)
Mesopotamia
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Known as “the land between two rivers”
Between the Tigris & Euphrates
Present day Iraq, Turkey, and Syria
First city arose; city-state
City-State had its own ruler, army, and patron
deity
• Ziggurat built in its honor
• Sumerians –recorded history began; invented
writing around 3,000 B.C.
• Akkadians –unified the city-states of Sumer
and unified them; first empire
• Babylonians –est. one of the 1st sets of laws;
the Code of Hammurabi
• Assyrians- ruthless in battle; destroyed the
kingdom of Israel
• People & Society: upper class, common folk,
slaves, and women