Mesopotamia was a succession of societies Sumeria (Sumer) Akkad First Babylon Assyria

2. Mesopotamia was a succession of societies • Sumeria (Sumer) • Akkad • First Babylon • Assyria • Second Babylon

3. Geography • Unpredictable rivers (Tigris and Euphrates) • Delta region extremely fertile • Flat land open to invasion – no natural barriers • By 4,000 BCE at least four major groups had migrated into Sumeria: Hamites from North Africa, Semites from Arabia, Indo-Europeans from Russia, and Caucasians from Georgia • Semi-arid climate required extensive irrigation projects

5. Growth of the state • Irrigation projects required cooperation on a grand scale and leadership • Farmers banded together in settlements to manage the environment and for protection • These settlements became compact cities surrounded by high mud-brick walls • These cities were independent from one another hence they were city-states

6. The city-states were often built around existing religious structures – enhancing the close relationship between government and religion • The ziggurat became the focal point of these city-states

7. Ziggurats -stepped towers topped by temples

8. Ziggurats were the focal point of the city-state The Towerof Babel is believed to have been a ziggurat

9. Sumeria lasted about 1,300 years (3360 – 2400 BCE) • There was constant warfare between city-states and invaders and between city-states themselves • Each city-state controlled an area about 100 square miles • There were about 12 major city-states including Ur, Eridu, Lagash, and Uruk • Each city-state was ruled by a priest/leader called a Patesi who was the highest political, religious, and military authority

10. Religion • People felt utterly dependent on will of gods due to harsh life • Originally, each city-state had its own patron god but later all gods were collected into a hierarchy reflecting Sumerian values • As male gods became dominant = strengthening of patriarchy • Afterlife – sad and gloomy place (later used as model for Hell)

11. Religion and Politics • All land belonged to the gods and kings were their representatives • Kings and priests afforded special place in society • Theocracy – rule by gods or priests • By the end of Sumeria’s influence, kings were becoming separate from the priest class

12. Class System • Kings / priests • Commoners: farmers, artisans, merchants • Slaves • Sumerian Life • Marriage was based on a contract • Males were dominant but females had more freedom than they do today • Females exerted influence through sexuality • Due to property inheritances, women would be put to death for adultery

13. Cuneiform Oldest writing system Original purpose was economic Used to record memoranda, lists of goods, receipts, contracts, etc One of first uses was to record beer recipe

14. Cuneiform-first system of writing

15. Cuneiform tablet with envelope

16. Writing was reserved for the wealthy classes

17. Writing systems beget literature • Oldest literature was epic poem The Epic of Gilgamesh • Poem relates story of Gilgamesh, ruler of Uruk, who seeks out survivor of great flood in quest of eternal youth

18. Trade links with Egypt and Harappa • Adopted use of silver as means of exchange • “Invented” the wheel and pioneered use of carts and chariots • Sumerian mathematics based on 12, 60, and 360 (clock and circle) • Sumerian astronomical charts basis for modern astronomy • Invented quadratic expressions

19. Conquered Sumeria = Akkad first empire • Some centralization of power • Sargon I = first emperor • Absorbed / took on Sumerian culture

20. Political • Akkad was overthrown by Amorites • Sumerian language disappeared – replaced by Amorite Semitic language • Made capital at Babylon • Old Babylon overthrown by invading Kassites and Hittites • Period of chaos followed for about three centuries

21. Hammurabi • Founder of the Old Babylonian Empire • Most known for his code of laws • based on two 282 laws • principles: lex talonis and class

22. Political • Conquered Kassites and brought all of Mesopotamia under their control • Noted for brutality and ruthlessness • Largest Mesopotamian empire in landmass • Conquered Egypt for short period • Assyria brought down by invading Medes and Chaldeans

23. Political • Established by Chaldeans who made capital at Babylon • King Nebuchadnezzar • Hanging gardens • Continued Sumerian culture • Conquered by the Persians

24. Other Middle Eastern Societies • Hittites • Iron • Israelites • Two kingdoms • Judaism • Phoenicians • Alphabet • Trade colonies (Carthage)

27. 1. What was the world’s first writing system? 2. What was it developed for? 3. Who were literate in Mesopotamia? Why? 4. What was the first piece of literature? What was it about? 5. What was the basic political unit of Mesopotamia? 6. What was the focal point of the Mesopotamian city-state?

28. 7. How did geography affect the development of Mesopotamian religion? 8. How did geography affect the development of Mesopotamian civilization? 9. What was the first empire? Who created it? 10. What was the Code of Hammurabi? What was it based on? 11. Who laid the foundations for our modern alphabet?

29. The characteristic political organization of the Tigris – Euphrates civilization was • Democracy • Large, durable empires • Village-level government • Regional city-states • Hunting bands

31. Geography • Isolated • Huang He (“China’s Sorrow”) • Vulnerable northern borders • Western desert • Himalayas • Vietnam • Pacific Ocean • Arable land – culture of conservation

33. Yangshao • Slash-and-burn agriculture • Domestication of animals • Silk production • Longshan People • Permanent settlements with walls • Occupational specialization • Xia Dynasty – mythical?

34. Writing • Oracle Bones • Ideographic symbols • Primary purpose was religious

35. Bronze • Sophisticated metallurgy skills • Controlled by elites • Used for religious rituals and weapons

36. 1. What was an early form of Chinese writing?

37. 7. What area of China was most conflicted? 8. What form of art was used in Chinese religious rituals? 9. What is considered the first major Chinese civilization? 10. On what major river was Chinese civilization first established?

38. Which river valley civilization was most completely destroyed by invasion? • Huang He • Indus • Nile • Tigris-Euphrates • Mekong