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Mesopotamia

Explore the requirements for civilization in ancient Mesopotamia, from the urban revolution to the development of complex technology and writing. Discover the distinct religious structure and new forms of artistic and cultural activity that emerged in this fertile land between the rivers.

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Mesopotamia

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  1. Mesopotamia A Case Study in Civilization

  2. Requirements for Civilization • Urban revolution • New Political and Military Structures • Social Structure based on economic power • The development of complex technology • Development of Writing • Distinct religious structure • New forms of artistic and cultural activity

  3. The land “between the rivers”. Arid yet, fertile. Silt, irrigation, and civilization. The Geography

  4. Towns gradually outgrew themselves and became walled cities. City states, large population groups ruled by all powerful kings grew in the place of the town. Famous sites such as Ur, Uruk, and Eridu are examples. The Mesopotamian City

  5. While the walls provided protection from without, the temple protected the people within. The City Center: The Ziggurat

  6. Ziggurat

  7. Gods and Goddesses owned the cities and as a result much wealth was devoted to temple construction. The temples played a significant role in the daily life of Mesopotamians. Religion

  8. Anu: God of the Sky Enlil: God of the Wind Enki: God of the Earth Ninhursaga: God of Soil and Vegetation Significant Deities

  9. Many felt helpless with “Anthromophorbic” gods who “meddled” in the lives of people. Life filled with strife, discomfort, and war. “The rampant flood which no man can oppose, which shakes the heavens and casuses the earth to tremble, In an appalling blanket folds mother and child, beats down the meadows full luxuriant greenery, and drowns the harvest in time of ripeness.” Epic of Gilgamesh Mesopotamian Outlook

  10. Mesopotamians believed they were placed on earth to “serve”. They felt they could never be secure of the gods actions. Relationships with the divine

  11. Largely agricultural Small industries: pottery, metallurgy, textiles, and crafts brought them fame and foreign trade. Economy

  12. Foreign trade led to, and facilitated “cultural diffusion”. As economies grew in scale, innovations such as writing and the wheel facilitated these innovations. Innovation

  13. Copper

  14. Mass production

  15. Social Class in Sumeria • The Elite: Nobles • The Labor: Commoners • The Slaves

  16. A kingdom to which rulers have added areas belonging to other rulers. Warfare nearly constant…as men like Senacharib of Assyria sought conquest “Ur is destroyed bitter in its lament. The country’s blood now fills its holes like hot bronze in a mold. Bodies dissolve like fat in the sun. Our temple is destroyed,d the gods have abandoned us, like migrating birds. Smoke lies on our city like a shroud.” Empires in Ancient Mesopotamia

  17. Led by the legendary Sargon. Semitic language speaking peoples. Overran the Sumerian city states and established an empire. Akkadians

  18. Organized the Amorites (Old Babylonians) into an empire, built the legendary city of Babylon. Known for incredible military discipline. “The Sun of Babylon”. Hammurabi

  19. “An Eye For An Eye” Complex societies required codified legal systems. Examples: The Great Lawgiver

  20. Cuneiform Schools for the elite, scribes. The Epic of Gilgamesh Time, calendar, mathematics, etc… The Cultivation of New Arts and Sciences

  21. The Standard of Ur

  22. The Royal Game of Ur

  23. Akkadians 2340-2125 BC Amorites 1800-1530 BC Sumeria 3500-1800 BC Hittites 1600-717 BC Mesopotamian Civilization Chaldeans 612-539 BC Kassites 1530-1170 BC Assyrians 1170-612 BC

  24. The World’s Oldest Story? The Meaning of Life and the Epic of Gilgamesh

  25. The Epic of Gilgamesh is probably the oldest written story in the world. The story was written down on 12 clay tablets somewhere in ancient Sumer. It is the first heroic epos that we know of, predating the Greek by at least 1500 years. The Epic

  26. Problems? Epic: incomplete, as you can see portions of the original are in tatters. Persia destroyed the great library of Nineveh in 612 BCE. However, we do have it in multiple ancient languages. Piecing Together History?

  27. Fabled king of Uruk, the true, legendary city in Sumer. Gilgamesh?

  28. The King: Gilgamesh is a flawed figure, the worlds first tragic hero. In his story we find bits and pieces of all that makes us human. The desire for compassion, greatness, sympathy, and friendship…while displaying ignorance, greed, and intolerance. The Story

  29. Within Gilgamesh we find: Flood myth Eden Discussion of life and death Cornerstone philosophies of modern religion. Elements of an Epic

  30. Assyria

  31. Assyria by theme • Signature characteristic: military prowess and strength. • Library of Nineveh • Geography: located on upper Tigris River • Controlled: Asia Minor, Iran, Syria, Palestine and northern Egypt. • Language: Semitic speaking peoples

  32. Signature leaders: Senacherib, Asurbanipal • Problems? Overextension of empire, anger of constituents, internal strife, harsh rule • Fall: fell to Chaldean and Median coalition in 612 BCE • Politics: Assyrian kings had absolute, despotic power.

  33. Tigleth-Pilsar II • Most centralized and efficient state the world had seen. (745 BCE)

  34. Military Might

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