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Cultural Analysis of Mesopotamia. SPRITE IT!!!!. Geography. Land between Two Rivers Tigris and Euphrates Fertile Crescent Hazardous, unpredictable flooding, alluvial plain, desert Modern day Iraq Lack natural resources. Social Aspects. Sumerians and Semites (Language)
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Cultural Analysis of Mesopotamia SPRITE IT!!!!
Geography • Land between Two RiversTigris and Euphrates • Fertile Crescent • Hazardous, unpredictable flooding, alluvial plain, desert • Modern day Iraq • Lack natural resources
Social Aspects • Sumerians and Semites (Language) • BlendingAssimilation, little ethnic conflict, Akkadian language dominates, intermarriage • Village Life companionship, protection, marriage potential, help during harvests • Urban and village dependency city-states • Three classes: free landowning, dependent farmers, slaves • Women no political role, lost standing due to agri., men gain power in household, prostitutes, were able to own property
Political Aspects • Priests held both political and religious power • Lugal “big man”, increased frequency in warfare over resources, chosen by community, backing of army, not hereditary, earthly rep. of God • Sargonunited cities under one king, centralized gov’t, standardized weight, taxes, labor projects etc. • Hammurabi aggressive military campaigns, law code • Bureaucracy, central gov’t
Religious Aspects • At the mercy of the Gods hazardous flooding and unpredictable nature of rivers, must appease Gods • Anthropomorphic lust, anger, hate • Amulets feared afterlife • Ziggurats mud-brick pyramid like structures, house deities, centrally located, residence of Gods • Priestsowned land, controlled shrine, wealthy, powerful, rituals,
Technological Aspects • Dependant on irrigation, dams, canals • Mud-bricks city-walls 8. Base number system • Cuneiform 9. Astronomy • Bronze • Pottery • Horse-drawn chariots • Boats, barges, carts
Economic Aspects • Agricultural based-villages provided surplus and cities supplied markets for trade • Cities control land • Slavery existed but not fundamental to economy • Record keeping property and trade
Think about… • How did the Mesopotamians interact with their environment and how did this shape their society? • Why did they need codified law in Mesopotamia? • Read Hammurabi’s code and answer the questions in complete sentences. • What does this law code reveal about what is valued in Mesopotamian society?