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Learn about the significance of prehistory, the Neolithic Revolution, and the rise of civilization in Mesopotamia. Explore the geography, culture, and advancements of the Sumerians, including their writing system and Hammurabi's Code.
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Warm Up – January 24 Grab handouts from the front table – using the notes from yesterday – answer the following questions: • 1. Define the term prehistory • 2. Why was the invention of farming so important? • 3. What are the two stone ages called? What is the biggest difference between people that lived in the new stone age when compared to those that lived in the old stone age? (Think about how they got their food)
Rise of Civilization and Mesopotamia The Neolithic Revolution leads to CIVILIZATION!!!C – Complex Institutions (government, religion, etc.) A – Advanced cities (centers of trade, culture, large pop.) R – Record Keeping (laws, contracts, taxes) T – Technology (buildings, tools, etc.) S – Specialized workers (builders, soldiers, traders, etc.)
Mesopotamia Also known as The Fertile Crescent
Geography of Mesopotamia Geography of Mesopotamia • Located in modern day Iraq • Rich land and curved shape led scholars to call it the Fertile Crescent • Tigris and Euphrates Rivers run thru the region • Rivers unpredictably flood yearly leaving thick layer of mineral rich silt • Periods of no rain could cause desert conditions- Solution: irrigation • No natural barriers for protection. Solution: they built walls • Natural resources were scarce. Solution: trade networks were established
Geography of Mesopotamia • Sumerians create City-States • Sumerians developed city-states: city that functioned like an independent country • Early government was controlled by temple priests • Ziggurats was a place of worship and like a town hall • In some cases, military leaders became full- time rulers and passed powers to sons • Dynasty: series of rulers from same family line • Cultural Diffusion: ideas or products spread from one culture to another through conquest and trade
Sumerian Culture • Sumerians were polytheistic; believe in more than one God • When you died you went to the “land of no return,” a dismal and gloomy place • Sumerians had social classes – based on wealth • Ur was one of the world’s first cities • Flourished 5,000 years ago • 30,000 people • City walls • Use the barter system for trade • Worshipped at the Ziggerat
Sumerian Culture • Cuneiform: first writing system • Epic of Gilgamesh – first work of literature • Ruler Hammurabi came up with Hammurabi’s Code • Hammurabi’s Code: single, uniform set of laws engraved in stone to help unify diverse groups within his empire
Code of Hammurabi Questions Answer the following questions on the same post it as the warm up: • 1. What is the main purpose of laws? Should they promote good behavior or punish bad behavior? • 2. Do all communities need a system of laws to guide them? • 3. What influence does social class have on the punishments for the crimes in the code? • 4. What areas of life did the code cover? Choose one law and explain its importance and significance to society. • 5. In your opinion, list three of Hammurabi’s laws that are too extreme/harsh for society. Why?
TOD – January 24 • Answer the following questions on the same post-it as the warm up: • 1. Describe two geographical disadvantages of Mesopotamia • 2. What is cultural diffusion? Why is important for a civilization to interact with other cultures? • 3. Where did Sumerians worship? What can the Sumerian religion be described as since they worshipped more than one god? • 4. What was the first written set of laws? Why is it essential for a civilization to have written laws?
