Ancient
Mesopotamia
Mr. McEntarfer
Global
History * HSLPS
Aim: What have the Sumerians done
for us?
• Do Now: Copy Notes
• Mesopotamia – Greek word which means
the land between two rivers.
• The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flooded
regularly to help irrigate crops.
• Also called the Fertile Crescent and is in
present day Iraq
Ancient Sumer
Sumer was the first civilization beginning in
Mesopotamia about 3500 B.C.
Government:
• It consisted of city-states
• Led by priest-kings who had dynasties (family rule)
Religion:
• Polytheistic
• Gods acted like people, controlled everyday life and
demanded sacrifice
• Buildings called Ziggurats were built for the gods
Traditional Economy: Based on Barter (direct trade,
no money)
City State of Ur
Sumerian Achievements
•
•
•
First to Write
The earliest writing called cuneiform
Scribes used a stylus to inscribe wedge-shaped
characters on clay tablets
Deciphering Cuneiform
Activity
• Write your name in Cuneiform on the
paper provided.
Sumerian Math – based on the number “6”
Activity
• Create a math problem with an answer in
Cuneiform. +,-,x or ÷
Other Accomplishments
Epic of Gilgamesh
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sumerian Poem
The Epic of Gilgamesh
oldest works of literature
stories about a hero named Gilgamesh
travels the world in search of eternal life
he meets the survivor of a great flood
By the end of the story, Gilgamesh has learned
the greatest truth of all- that even heroes must
die
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Summary
• Share out as a class
• Answer Aim: What have the Sumerians
done for us?
Homework
•
How should the law deal with drunk
drivers? What should be the punishment
is someone is drinking and driving?
Explain.
The Babylonian Empire
M.r McENtarer * HsLPS * Global
I
Aim: How did Hammurabi rule the Babylonian Empire
Do Now: Copy
Empire: When one group brings together several peoples,
nations or previously independent states under the
control of one ruler.
The Babylonian Empire
►
►
►
►
►
Around 1792 BCE , after years of chaos a new
leader emerged named Hammurabi.
Hammurabi created the Babylonian Empire.
Hammurabi created the first written law code.
The code of laws is based on an “eye for an eye a
tooth for a tooth”
The punishments must fit the crime and was based
on social rank. (A slaves punishment would be
worse than a nobles punishment).
Create a Law Code for our School
► What
laws should be made?
► What should be the punishment for these crimes?
► Create a law code of 5 laws that you would
impose on our school using the chart paper.
Remember creativity, color and neatness count.
► Be specific about what the crime is, who they
apply to and the punishments. Use complete
sentences.
Hammurabi's Code
What would you do?
Directions: Tags have been placed in
each corner of the room death, corporal
punishment, prison, fine. For each crime go
to the corner for which punishment you
believe fits the crime, then we will discuss
what how Hammurabi’s Code handled each
crime.
Theft – Shoplifting
 What
should be the punishment if a
person is caught shoplifting?
Do we have a similar
law today?
How Hammurabi Handled
Shoplifters

If a man works or shops at a place of
business and that man steals from that
business he shall have his fingers cut off
What aspect of life does this
law affect?
Grand Theft
 What
should be the punishment if a
person steals a car?
How Hammurabi Handled
Grand Theft
 If
a man has stolen an ox or a boat that
belonged to a temple or palace, he shall
pay thirty times its cost. If it belonged to
a private citizen he shall pay ten times
its cost. If the thief cannot pay he shall
be put to death.
How does this law
demonstrate a difference
between social classes?
False Accusations
 What
should be the punishment if a
person falsely accuses someone of a
crime?
How Hammurabi Handled False
Accusations
 If
any one bring an accusation of any
crime before the elders, and does not
prove what he has charged, he shall, if it
be a capital offense charged, be put to
death.
Assault and Battery
 What
should be the punishment if a
person intentionally physically
injures another person?
How Hammurabi Handled
Assault and Battery



If a man put out the eye of another man of
his equal, his eye shall be put out.
If he put the eye of a man of lesser rank or
break the bone of that man he shall pay
one piece of silver
If he put out the eye of a man’s slave or
break the bone of a man’s slave he shall
pay one half of its value.
Is this law unfair?
Adultery (Cheating)
 What
should be the punishment if a
person cheats on their spouse
(marriage partner)?
How Hammurabi Handled
Adultery


If a man's wife be surprised with another
man, both shall be tied and thrown into the
water, but the husband may pardon his wife
and the king his slaves.
If the "finger is pointed" at a man's wife
about another man, but she is not caught
sleeping with the other man, she shall jump
into the river for her husband.
Word Slam !



Take out a sheet of paper and tear it into
eight pieces
Write one of the following terms on each of
the pieces.
City-State, Dynasty, Cultural Diffusion,
Polytheism, Hammurabi, Cuneiform,
Fertile Crescent, Mesopotamia and
Empire
Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
The belief in many gods
Independent metropolis
Family Rule
Usually happened through trade
Babylonian law maker
Land between two rivers
Best farming area in South West Asia
Many cultures under one government.
Homework
Write a paragraph in which you discuss the
difference between the laws of the U.S.
and the Hammurabi’s Code.