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Civilization in Mesopotamia

Civilization in Mesopotamia. By Mr. Fitz. New Inventions. Irrigation * Canals, aqueducts, reservoirs, dikes, gates Wheel – wheeled cart First sailboats. Architecture and Religious Beliefs. Ziggurat – Largest building in Sumerian city (mud brick temple)

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Civilization in Mesopotamia

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  1. Civilization in Mesopotamia By Mr. Fitz

  2. New Inventions • Irrigation * Canals, aqueducts, reservoirs, dikes, gates • Wheel – wheeled cart • First sailboats

  3. Architecture and Religious Beliefs • Ziggurat – Largest building in Sumerian city (mud brick temple) • Shrine for each city’s special god on top. • Gods of wind, sun, salt water, fresh water, earth. • If pleased gods=good harvest • Natural disasters=gods were angry

  4. The Role of Government • Laws are needed to keep order when many people live together. • Government = organized system that groups use to make laws and decisions. • Each city-state had its own leaders • City-states went to war with each other and outsiders • Monarchy=One person has authority • Rulers were thought to have great strength, because were “chosen by the gods.” (Gilgamesh)

  5. Changing Economies • Sumerian Farms grew a surplus of crops. • Since everyone did not have to farm for food, Sumerians developed Division of Labor=craft workers in stone, clay, cloth, leather, metal. • Managers and Merchants • Traded throughout the Fertile Crescent

  6. Divisions in Society • Social Classes based on levels of importance • Kings and Priests (most important) • Scribes • Managers, merchants, craft workers • Farmers and Fisherman • Slaves (usually prisoners of war-lowest on the scale) • Men had more authority, although Women did hold leadership positions

  7. Innovations • New ways of doing things • Need to measure land – “Iku” or Acre • Need to measure crops – “Quart” • Need to carry/trade goods – sail and cargo boats. • Need for records – writing “Cuneiform” – complete system by 2000 BCE on clay tablets with reeds.

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