Thought of the Day

1. Thought of the Day On Tuesday, we discussed the Neolithic Age. Through the use of new “technological advancements”, the people shifted from hunter-gathers to what? Explain how this new change effected people and society. We also talked about how civilizations shared certain elements. Identify the six elements of civilizations. What element is the most important? Why? Write 5 complete sentences and turn in TOD’s (you should have 4) on the cart.

2. The Development and Achievements of the Mesopotamia Civilization

3. Goal 2: Emerging Civilizations- The learner will analyze the development of early civilizations in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas Objective 2.01- Trace the development and assess the achievements of early river civilizations, including but not limited to those around the Huang-He, Nile, Indus, and Tigris-Euphrates rivers.

4. Geography of Mesopotamia • Valley between the Tigris & Euphrates rivers is called Mesopotamia which means the land “between the rivers” • It is also apart of the fertile crescent • Rich soil produced lots of crops which allowed many people to live off the land early on • Mesopotamia has little rain • Layered by silt (material deposited by the 2 rivers)

5. Geography of Mesopotamia • Tigris & Euphrates overflow in spring and deposited the silt • flood after snowing (people never knew when it was coming) • People learned how to control flow of rivers by using irrigation and drainage ditches • Helped farmers grow food regularly • Abundance of food allowed lots of people to live in cities together= therefore civilizations emerged… • 3 Mesopotamia Civilization • Assyria • Akkad • Sumer • Sumerians were the creators of the 1st Mesopotamia civilization

6. Sumerian Cities • Cities surrounded by walls • Built with sun-dried brick • Small homes for peasants/large for city officials & priests • Homes made people feel like family unit • Had abundance of mud- • made mud bricks by hand • They invented the arch and the dome; largest brick buildings in the world • Still used today

7. Cities surrounded by brick walls

8. Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia • Ancient Mesopotamia- 3000BC they established independent cities in Mesopotamia such as: Eridu, Ur, and Uruk • Cities expanded • Gained economic and political control of surrounding areas • They formed city-states • Self governing states with a city and surrounding territory

9. Religion • Harsh climate & famines made people think that supernatural forces were controlling the world • Believed in nearly 3000 gods and goddesses • Polytheistic- belief in many gods • Humans were to obey and serve gods • Gods were over the humans; unsure of what they’d do

10. Religion & Rulers • Temple in Sumerian city dedicated to god of city • Temple on huge stepped tower is a ziggurat • Believed gods owned the cities • Usually the temples served as the center location of the city • Surplus of food stored here- to be distributed (given out) or traded

11. Zigguarat

12. Religion & Rulers • Sumerians believed the gods ruled the cities • theocracy- government by divine authority • Kings chosen by gods; had great powers led armies, supervised city workers, etc.

13. Thought of the Day If you were going to create your own civilization, choose 5 things that are a MUST HAVE in order to get things up and running. Explain why these things are essential to your civilization. Also, include 5 people that you would trust to set up your civilization and help run things. Explain why you chose them and what job they would perform. You should have at least 5 complete sentences.

14. Economy • Based on farming, trade, & industry • Woolen textiles • Pottery • Metalwork- silver, copper, & gold for jewelry • Tin + copper= bronze • Trade: fish, wool, barley, wheat, metal goods for copper, tin, & timber *Invention of wheel (3000BC) made it easier to transport goods*

15. Society Class System- society divided into social groups 1. Nobles (royal, priests, church officials) • Commoners (work for palace/temple, farmers, merchants, fisherman, craftspeople) • Slaves (belonged to the palace & make buildings, baskets, or farm)

16. Writing • Sumerians created cuneiform (wedge shaped) system of writing in 3000BC. • Used reed stylus (tool) • Wrote on clay tablet • Writing was for record keeping • To pass knowledge from person to person • A scribe was the most important position in society.

17. Thought of the Day Describe a time you got in trouble. Did the punishment fit the crime? Explain. You should have 5 complete sentences.

18. Technology • Wagon wheel • Transported people & goods from place to place • Sundial • Measures the position of the sun indicating what time of day it is • Arch • Bronze

19. Achievements • Math • Geometry to measure fields & construct buildings • Number system based on 60 • Astronomy • Study of stars, planets, comets, & galaxies

20. Empires • City-states were expanding • More conflicts over land & water • Akkadians • Leader: Sargon • Took over Sumerian city-states • Set up 1st empire in world history! • An empire is a large state (or political unit) under control of 1 leader that controls many people or territories.

21. Empires • Akkadian empire fell in 2100BC • Babylon was ruled by Hammurabi • Controlled Sumer & Akkad • Died in 1750BC

22. Hammurabi’s Code • Strict & severe laws • Harsher punishments for commoners & slaves than for the noblemen • “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”