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Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, is known as the "Cradle of Civilization." This region is home to the first civilizations like Sumer and Babylonia, with a rich cultural heritage including ziggurats, mathematics, literature, and writing systems like cuneiform. Explore the fascinating history and legacy of Mesopotamia.
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Map of Mesopotamia Black Sea Caspian Sea Tigris Fertile Crescent Mediterranean Sea Euphrates Nile River Red Sea
Geography of Mesopotamia • Mesopotamia translates as “the land between rivers” • The rives being the Tigris and Euphrates • Mesopotamia is part of the Fertile Crescent • A region that includes modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, the Levant and parts of Turkey
Geography of Mesopotamia • Mesopotamia is arguably home to the world’s very first civilizations • Sometimes it is known as the “Cradle of Civilization” • Mesopotamia was home to civilizations such as Sumer, Babylonia, and Assyria
Characteristics of Mesopotamian Civilization • Religion: • Polytheistic • Origins of Philosophy • Built ziggurats (religious temples) • Mathematics and Astronomy: • Developed sexagesmial numeral system (60 minute hour, 24 hour day, 360 degree circle) • Developed a 12 month calendar based on the cycles of the moon
Characteristics of Mesopotamian Civilization • Culture: • Festivals were held once a month • Sporting events such as hunting, boxing, and wrestling • Most important of all Literature: • Men and women were taught to read and write • Wrote epic poems (i.e. The Epic of Gilgamesh) • Many forms of writing developed
Writing Forms: Pictograms • Pictograms= Earliest form of writings
Writing Forms: Cuneiform • Cuneiform= Sumerian Writing • Wedge shaped writing
Writing Forms: Alphabet • Alphabet= Phoenicians