• The Fertile
Crescent:
between
the Tigris
and
Euphrates
• Modern
Iraq, Syria,
and Iran
Mesopotamia
The Ancient Fertile Crescent Area
The Middle East: “The Cradle of Civilization”
1. What two rivers run
through the Fertile
Crescent?
Tigris & Euphrates
Rivers
2. Which two river valley
civilizations are shown on
this map?
Egypt & Mesopotamia
3. In what present day
country is Mesopotamia
located?
Iraq
ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA (4000 B.C.)
Why was this a perfect place for the 1st civilization?
1. Fertile Crescent - large arc of fertile land in the
Middle East
2. Tigris & Euphrates Rivers made it possible
farming
3. Cattle, pigs, goats & sheep were accessible
for
WHAT CHALLENGES DID PEOPLE FACE IN
MESOPOTAMIA?
1. Unpredictable floods destroyed crops, homes &
people
2. Some areas were marshy and unsuitable for
farming
3. This land was vulnerable to attack and
invasion
City States of Mesopotamia
• Gods, Goddesses, and Rulers
– The most prominent building was the
Ziggurat
– Gods and Goddesses owned the cities
– Priests held positions of power
– Kings had divine right to rule
– Theocracy government by divine authority
ZIGGURATS
Ziggurat of the City of
Ur
Ziggurat at Ur
 Temple
 “Mountain of
the Gods”
BABYLONIAN
ZIGGURAT
THE MANY PEOPLE OF MESOPOTAMIA:
1.
Sumerians (ancient Sumer’s city-states)
(3000 B.C. - 1800 B.C.)
2.
Akkadians (Akkadian Empire)
(2340 BC. - 2100 BC)
3. Babylonians (Babylonian Empire)
( 1800 B.C. - 1200 B.C).
4. Assyrians (Assyrian Empire)
(1200 B.C. - 539 B.C.)
5. Persians (Persian Empire)
(539 B.C. - 330 B.C.)
City-States of Mesopotamia
• Economy and Society
– Based on farming, trade, and
Industry
– Sumerians known for their
metalwork
– Imported copper and tin
– Invention of the wheel around
3000 B.C. increased trade
Mesopotamian Harp
Sophisticated Metallurgy Skills at Ur
Three Major Social Groups
Nobles
Commoners
Slaves
Empires in Ancient
Mesopotamia
• City-states fought each
other for control of
resources
• Sumerian city-states were
open to outside invasion
• Sargon of the Akkadians
created the first Empire from
2340 b.c. to 2100 b.c
• Empire - a large political
unit under a single leader
Sargon of Akkad:
The World’s First Empire (Akkadians)
Creativity of the Sumerians
• Sumerian Technology
– Developed the wagon wheel
– Potter’s wheel
– Sundial, Irrigation
– Made use of bronze
– Invented the Arch and the Dome
– Achievements in mathematics and
astronomy
• Number system based on 60
• Charted the stars and constellations
Creativity of the
Sumerians
• Writing and Literature
– Created cuneiform around
3000 b.c.
– Used writing for record
keeping
– Upper class boys trained
as scribes became the
leaders of society
– The Epic of Gilgamesh
Cuneiform: “Wedge-Shaped” Writing
Cuneiform Writing
Deciphering Cuneiform
Sumerian Scribes
“Tablet House”
Sumerian Cylinder Seals
Gilgamesh
Gilgamesh Epic Tablet:
Flood Story
Hammurabi’s Code - 1792-1750 B.C.E.
The Code of Hammurabi
• Based on a system
of strict justice
• Took seriously the
duties of political
officials
• Included consumer
protection laws
• Largest category of
laws focused on
marriage and family
Hammurabi, the Judge
The Babylonian Empires
Babylonian Math
Babylonian Numbers