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Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia. Ch.2 Sec.1. The Impact of Geography. Mesopotamia– Located between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers One of the birthplaces of post-flood civilization Civilizations of Mesopotamia Sumerians Babylonians Akkadians Assyrians. Religion of Mesopotamia.
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Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia Ch.2 Sec.1
The Impact of Geography • Mesopotamia– • Located between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers • One of the birthplaces of post-flood civilization • Civilizations of Mesopotamia • Sumerians • Babylonians • Akkadians • Assyrians
Religion of Mesopotamia • Religion of Mesopotamia – • Unpredictable weather and climate led to belief in unreliable supernatural powers • Had nearly 3,000 gods and goddesses • Polytheistic – • The belief in many gods
City-States of Mesopotamia • City-State – Form of govt where each city in a civilization is ruled independently • Sumerians – • 1st known civilization • Cities included Uruk, Ur • Ziggurats – Sumerian monuments with a temple placed at the top • Theocracy – A govt by divine authority
Sumerian Economy & Society • Sumerian Economy – • Farming and trading were staples of their economy • Known for their metalwork (expecially bronze) • Used bartering to trade goods w/ other civilizations • Sumerian Society – • Contained three social groups: Nobles, commoners, & slaves • over 90% of the population were commoners • Owning slaves was common practice for Sumerians
Cuneiform – Form of writing invented by the Sumerians Impressions were made on clay tablets and dried
Creativity of the Sumerians • Sumerian Education • Open only to boys of nobility • Trained to become scribes • Classes relied on repetition for mastery (pg.30) • Sumerian Technology • Wagon wheel • Pottery wheel • Had a number system (based on 60) & used geometry • Mapped the constellations