Mesopotamia

Chapter 6

Vocabulary

1. Mesopotamia	"The land between two rivers." Greek. Is a region between the Euphrates and Tigris River.
2. Sumerians	People of Sumer
3. city-state	A self governing unit made up of a city and the surrounding villages and farmland that it controls. Usually ruled by priests then kings.
4. plateau	A broad area of high, flat land
5. plains	A broad area of flat, open land, that is lower than the plateau.
6. hierarchy	Persons or things organized or classified according to rank or authority.
7. irrigation	The act of supplying dry lands with water by means of canals, ditches, or pipes.
8. nomads	People who move with their flocks and herds.
9. polytheism	Belief in many gods.
10. cuneiform	Wedge shaped symbols. Consists of about 600 symbols, which range from a single wedge to complex patterns of about 30 wedges
11. pictograph	Pictures that stand for nouns.
12. phonograms	Symbols that represent sounds in a word.
13. Stylus	A sharpened reed used for drawing pictures on moistened clay. (Uses straight lines)
14. scribe	Professional writers and record keepers.
15. empire	A nation or city-states it has conquered, under one ruler. Ruled by Emperor

CHAPTER 6

MESOPOTAMIA

Steps Leading to the Development of Early Cities: Step 1: Huntergathers: People moved around, lived in temporary shelter, hunted and gathered their food, used animal skins for clothing. Traveled from place to place for food, followed food supply. Step 2: Early Farmers: Agriculture which supported and supplied more people, lead to farming. Domistication of animals and plants - trained/adapted animals and plants to live in a human environment Step 3: Permanent Homes: Stayed in one place, developed new skills, made more complex tools. Step 4: Improved Farming Methods: Irrigation - controlled water supply, prevented famine and starvation. Plow - improved farming skills. Step 5: Surplus: Excess food used to barter for useful materials, people became self-sufficient. Step 6: Trade: Journeyed great distances, outposts established, traded food for obsidian Step 7: Population Growth: People became specialized workers, development of social levels, lead to leadership of government. Step 8: Cities/Civilization: Needs: stable food supply, specialization of labor, system of government, social levels, development of culture such as art, literature, religion, music, laws, and writing system.

Characteristics of a Civilization A system of government that directs and controls some actions of members of the society. Includes organized armies. A regular food supply that is not likely to suddenly change. Specialization of labor, in which members of the society perform different jobs. (Example: priests, armies.) Different social levels, in which some members of the society are given a higher status than others. (Example: upper, middle, and lower) A highly developed culture including art, architecture, music, literature, science and writing. A religious system, which might include priests and temples.

I. Mesopotamia- "Land between two rivers" The Euphrates and Tigris Rivers Land advantages: Fertile soil - excellent for crops Land disadvantages: Hot summers, little rain, few resources, dry land The Zagros and Taurus Mountains, Syrian Desert, Euphrates and Tigris Rivers All natural barriers. Kept invaders out, but also kept people in. Today includes Iraq and Turkey and parts of Syria Sumer included cities or Ur and Kish Problem: Population growth, created food shortages Solution: People moved further down river and further inland to the valleys. Problem: Need for more water; control water during flooding seasons. Solution: Irrigation system of dams, gates, and canals; used artificial lakes and ponds. Occupations: Diversification of Labor Farmers, brick makers, canal builders, butchers, potters, etc. Barter System: exchanging of surplus food for materials needed. Government: Regional No central power control. No boundaries. Each city is independent. Church ruled through priests. Government leaders in charge of irrigation systems of canals as well as work crews, appointed inspectors, and settled arguments. Surplus of grain kept in temples. Collection of taxes - grain, animals, farm products. Prayed, made sacrifices to please the gods. Spent lives serving the gods.

II. The Contributions of the Sumerians The First Kings First known as military leaders then ruled as King. Fighting was over land boundaries and use of water. They defended the cities against invaders Took over for priests. Managed irrigation works, surplus grain, chief judge in all arguments. Kingship came down from heaven. Important task: Oversee the building and repair of temples. Sumerian Religion Believed in many gods, who controlled everything in the peoples lives. Gods were immortal and all powerful. Believed gods would protect them as the people served them. Four (4) important Gods: An: Father of all gods, God of the sky Enlil: God of the air. Gave kings their power Enki: God of the water. Ruled city of Eridu Ninhursag: Mother goddess Nonna: Moon God. Ruled Ur Others: sun God goddess of love and war People of Sumer Social Classes (3) Highest class included: King, government officials, priests, wealthy merchants and landowners. Middle class included: Farmers, fishermen, artisans Lowest class included: slaves, prisoners, people who did not own land and children Domesticated animals to use on the farm, as well as used as a stable food supply. Lead to a surplus of food used for trading with others. Diversification of labor: Everyone had a job to do.

III. Hammurabi - Ruler of Babylonia Ruled in 1792 B.C. Took over from Samshi-Adad; ruled all of Mesopotamia Had Governors to rule lands for him Maintained a strong central government Achievements: (The code of Hammurabi) Established 282 Law of Babylonia; preserved on stone. Laws of the Empire Covered religion, irrigation, military service, trade, slavery, duties of workers Gave protection to women and children. Responsible life framed by law and order Laws helped to rule the empire.

IV. Sumerian Achievements Religion Devotional Statues - created god lifelike, express religious beliefs to please gods. Architecture: Ziggurat - Believed God lived inside Arch - Added strength and beauty; seen in doorways of temples, bridges, wealthy people's homes Government City-States/Kings - Surrounding lands, Kings enforced laws, collected taxes, temples and canals in good condition. Organized Armies: Kings also lead armies into battle as well as for protection. Written Laws: Helped to maintain order among people. Part of the legal system, enforced by King Inventions Cuneiform/Writing - Based on pictographs, stylus used as writing instrument, need to keep records. Games - Entertainment, predict players future Irrigation - Supply crops with regular water supply Mathematics - Invented the calendar, division of labor into 60 minutes/seconds, place value Medicine - Used herbs (plants and minerals) for healing; Metalworking - Used gold, silver, tin, lead, copper, bronze to create weapons, tools, luxury items. Imported and exported. Music - Believed to please the Gods. Plow - Provided people with steady food supply, allowed farmers to cultivate larger areas. Sailboat - Made travel easier to other lands for trade. Made sharing of ideas and values easier. Wheel - First used for a pottery wheel, transportation made easier, improved daily lives, increased speed and strength of armies.

V. Sumerian Downfall Did not make life better for people they conquered. Drained wealth through taxes and plunder. Made numerous enemies.

From Mrs. Boudreau's Computer December, 2001

Sumarian Achievement Web 

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