Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia

1. Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia City-state – Cities and the countryside around them, which were the basic units of Sumerian civilization Ziggurat – A massive stepped tower with a temple on top Theocracy- a government by divine authority Empire- A large political unit or state, usually under a single leader, that controls many people or territories

2. Patriarchal- a form of society dominated by men. Polytheistic- a belief in many gods Cuneiform- (wedge-shaped”) the Sumerian system of writing.

3. Geography of Mesopotamia Mesopotamia is at the eastern end of the Fertile Crescent. Mesopotamia (“between the rivers”) is the valley between the Tigris and EuphratesRivers. These rivers often overflow and leave silt, which makes the soil rich for a flourishing agricultural economy.

4. The resulting large food supply made possible significant population growth and the emergence of civilization in Mesopotamia Ancient Mesopotamia covered three general areas: Assyria, Akkad, and Sumer The Sumerians developed the first Mesopotamian civilization.

5. City-states in Mesopotamia By 3000 B.C. the Sumerians had formed a number of city-states centered around cities such as Ur and Uruk

7. Empires come to Mesopotamia The city-state of Akkad, under Sargon conquered the Sumerian city-states and set up the world’s first empire. The Babylonian Empire under Hammurabi took over the Akkadian Empire

8. The Code of Hammurabi The Code of Hammurabi is one of the world’s most important early systems of law. It calls for harsh punishments against criminals. The principle of retaliation (“an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”) is fundamental in Hammurabi’s code.

9. Wheel Potter’s wheel Cuneiform Sundial Inventions of the Sumerians arch bronze

10. Egyptian Civilization Dynasty- a family of rulers whose right to rule is passed on within the family Pharaoh- (“great house”), the most common title of Egyptian monarchs Bureaucracy- an administrative organization with officials and procedures Vizier- (steward of the whole land”), the official in charge of the government bureaucracy

11. Mummification- a process of slowly drying a dead body to prevent it from rotting Hieroglyphics- The Greek name for the earliest Egyptian writing Hieratic script- a simplified version of hieroglyphics that was used for business transactions and other needs of daily life

12. Geography of Egypt Along the Nile river which runs north for 4,000 miles. North region was called Lower Egypt, south region was called Upper Egypt. The most important fact about the Nile is that it floods each year, enriching the soil around it Nile also served as a great highway and was a unifying influence on Egypt.

13. Religion The Egyptians were also polytheistic The sun god was named Atum or Re. The Egyptian ruler was called Son of Re, the sun god in earthly form. Two important river and land gods were Osiris and Isis. They were husband and wife. Osiris was a symbol of resurrection

14. Egyptian History The Old Kingdom began around 3100 B.C. when Menes created the first royal dynasty in Egypt. Egyptian pharaohs had absolute power However, they were aided by a large bureaucracy The vizier headed the bureaucracy and reported directly to the pharaoh. Egypt was divided into 42 provinces, each with its own governor.

15. The pyramids were built during the Old Kingdom They served as tombs for the pharaohs and their families. They contained food, weapons, artwork, and household goods for the person in the afterlife. Egyptians believed that a person’s spiritual body (ka) could survive the death of the physical body if the physical body were properly preserved through mummification.

16. The largest pyramid was for King Khufu, built around 2540 B.C. in Giza. It covers 13 acres. Historians are still amazed at the builders’ precision. The Great Sphinx is also at Giza It has the body of a lion and head of a man The Middle Kingdom was se as a golden age. Egypt expanded into Nubia . During this time Pharaohs were concerned for the people.

17. Invasion by the Hyksos people of Western Asia ended the Middle Kingdom Egyptians learned to use bronze and horse-drawn war chariots During the New Kingdom Egypt created an empire The New Kingdom pharaohs were tremendously wealthy The first female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, and others built fabulous temples.

18. Egyptian Society The Pharaoh was at the top and under him a small upper class of nobles & priests. Next, were the merchants, artsans, scribes, and tax collectors. Most people were in lower class. They farmed, served in the army and were forced to work on building projects. Women were well respected, could own businesses and even be Pharaohs. Parents arranged marriages.