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Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia, known as "The Land Between the Rivers," was the earliest civilization in history, emerging out of chaos. Its geographical location in the Middle East's Fertile Crescent influenced its development. Cooperation among city-states, trade, controlling the environment, laws, government, and religion were essential for survival. The region's cultural characteristics, conflict tendencies, and early forms of writing like cuneiform played significant roles in shaping Mesopotamian society. Charismatic leaders, social hierarchies, and the development of laws and religion were prevalent in this ancient civilization. The Mesopotamians were polytheistic, building ziggurats and maintaining superstitious beliefs. Despite their grim view of the afterlife, they sought to live life to the fullest. Other Middle Eastern peoples like the Akkadians, Babylonians, Hittites, Phoenicians, and others interacted with Mesopotamia throughout history.

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Mesopotamia

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  1. Mesopotamia “The land between the rivers” “The earliest civilization in history” “Creation out of Chaos!”

  2. Geographical influence on Mesopotamia • Known as the “land between the rivers” • Location – Middle East, “Fertile Crescent” • Rolling hills, plains, open land, rivers, very few natural obstacles • Tigris and Euphrates Rivers • “UNPREDICTABLE” environment led to a “CHAOTIC” society

  3. Beginnings of civilization

  4. Cooperation – (choose any 5) City-states Trade Controlling the environment Religion Laws and government Number systems Written/spoken language Time/record keeping Knowledge… Conflict – (choose any 3) Independent thinking Rivalries and jealousy Warfare Territory Controlling the environment Mesopotamia was about…

  5. Cooperation was vital to surviving in the Fertile Crescent, but conflict has always prevented a permanent lasting civilization.

  6. Cultural Characteristics… • Regions that were key to Mesopotamian development – Sumer, Akkad, Ur, Kish, Babylon (amongst others) • Trade throughout the region was vital; allowed for necessities and growth

  7. Basic Facts During the 4th Millennium BCE the region and its areas grew in population and continually developed; concept of CHAOS is significant to understanding long-term ramifications of Mesopotamia Two rivers = support system of Tigris & Euphrates Little rainfall, barley, wheat and peas were main crops Flat land; few natural barriers 6000 BCE - small scale irrigation began Sumer (Southern half of Mesopotamia) grew rapidly 5000 BCE - Sumerians in area (elaborate irrigation systems) 4000 BCE - 1st major cites (Sumerians); Neolithic villages vs. Cities Cities - military and political centers; economic marketplaces; cultural centers 3000 BCE - 100,000 people in Sumer many Semitic people followed (Akkadian, Aramaic, Hebrew and Phoenician) From which regions of Middle East did these peoples originate? – Arabian/Syrian deserts; intermarried with Sumerians; assimilation

  8. Pottery 2. Woodworking 3. leather production 4. brick making 5. Masonry • 6. Textile 7. Manufacturing 8. Metallurgy

  9. Charismatic leaders led to a hierarchy of inherited leadership • Rivalries were primarily over resources and hatred • Social hierarchy – Ruling family/government leaders – priests/artisans/merchants – peasant farmers – slaves/prisoners/debtors

  10. Cuneiform – Earliest written language Found on clay tablets Known as “wedge-shaped” Carvings in wet clay and then dried Used a stylus to write and keep records and important information

  11. Written language allowed for rulers to codify their leadership Civil law – Private laws dealing with personal issues Criminal Law – Public laws dealing with public safety issues

  12. Religion – • Polytheistic, control of everything in life and nature, gods like ordinary people (flaws), gods favored truth and justice (control) but experienced suffering and violence (river flooding) • Built ziggurats (step pyramids) • Superstitions, sacrificial offerings of animals • Believed in a “life after death”

  13. Over-riding mentalities in Mesopotamia – • Live life to the fullest • Death is inevitable • Grim existence in the afterlife(cave of dust and bone, eat mud, darkness, ghosts/spirits)

  14. Other Middle Eastern Peoples… Akkadians Babylonians Hittites Phoenicians Hebrews Assyrians Lydians Persians

  15. Akkadians • 2400 b.c. • Southern Mesopotamia • City-state • Sargon created first Mesopotamian empire • Conquered environment and neighbors

  16. Babylonians • 1790 b.c. • Central Mesopotamia • City-state • Hammurabi created first written laws…called the “Code of Hammurabi” – 282 laws • “Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth”

  17. Hittites • 1600 b.c. • Northwest of Mesopotamia • Warlike cultural group • Brought “iron” technology to Middle East • Premeditation and fines for breaking laws

  18. Phoenicians • 1200 b.c. • Western Middle East on Mediterranean Sea • Sea-faring people who became “greatest traders of the ancient world” • Colony creation throughout Mediterranean • Alphabet

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