140 likes | 405 Views
Ancient Mesopotamia. Social. Patriarchy Social system which father is head of family Matriarchy Social system in which mother is head Women held an equal status, but could not be educated Hammurabi Leader of Babylonian Empire Est. legal code to unify all people
E N D
Social • Patriarchy • Social system which father is head of family • Matriarchy • Social system in which mother is head • Women held an equal status, but could not be educated • Hammurabi • Leader of Babylonian Empire • Est. legal code to unify all people • Property laws were important
Political • Theocracy • Govt. controlled by priests b/c they were closest to gods/ God • They would bless crops & communicate w/ higher beings • Kings eventually take over • Ethic/ Moral Codes • Babylonians • Hammurabi’s Code- 282 laws w/ specific consequences • Different punishments for weath/ gender • Hebrews • Govt. responsible to citizens • 10 commandments
Religion • Polytheism • Many gods from various forms of nature • Enlil- god of clouds/air brought rain and floods • Monotheism • Belief in one God- Hebrews • Zoroaster • Persian religious prophet • Believed people are good or bad, no middle, not predestined • People determine their fate
Intellectual • Language/ Writing • Why did it develop? • To communicate & record transactions • Sumerians • 4000 B.C. • 1rst writing system, Cuneiform was created • Boys are schooled, girls are not • Epics • Gilgamesh • Stories that reinforce values • Phoenician Alphabet • Alphabet was phonic • Ziggurats • Temples/city hall were pyramid shaped arches, columns, and ramps
Technology • Irrigation • Planned system that increased growing area (demonstrated power of Govt.) • Calendar • Defined by planting seasons and stars • Wagon Wheel • Revolutionized building and life • Pottery • Clay pots needed to store goods • Provided pies of daily life • Metals • Bronze
Economic • Cultural Diffusion • Ideas for society, Govt., religion, and trade were exchanged alongside of goods • Phoenicians • Great traders of good & culture