Period 1: Technological and Environmental Transformations to 600 B.C.E.

1. Period 1: Technological and Environmental Transformations to 600 B.C.E. Mesopotamia

2. Mesopotamia • Mesopotamia – “The land between the rivers.” • Refers specifically to the fertile valleys of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern-day Iraq. • First large scale society • Water from the rivers was used to irrigate fields of barley, wheat, and peas.

3. Mesopotamia • Sumer • Land in the Southern half of Mesopotamia • By 3000 B.C.E almost one hundred thousand people • Sumerians dominated Mesopotamia • Many people migrated there (Semitic Migrants)

4. Mesopotamia • Sumerian City-States • Dominated public affairs in Mesopotamia • Controlled public affairs in cities and surrounding agricultural regions • Coordinated projects to benefit the community (Defense walls, temples, etc) • Irrigation systems especially important • Kept the peace… prevented conflicts b/t residents • Ziggurat in Uruk

5. Mesopotamia • Sumerian Kings • By 3000 B.C.E. most Sumerian cities had kings. • Most of which had come to power through military valor.

6. The Course of Empire • Some kings attempted to exert control over larger regions by taking over other cities and placing their own governors in control.

7. The Course of Empire • Hammurabi and the Babylonian Empire • Dominated Mesopotamia until 1600 B.C.E. • Ruled through centralized bureaucracy (in Babylon) and regular taxation

8. The Course of Empire • Hammurabi’s Laws • Compiled extensive list of laws to regulate behavior and promote welfare • High standards for behavior and stern punishments for violators • Relied heavily on the principle of lex talionis, “the law of retaliation.” • Punishments fit the crime – i.e. penalty for murder is death • Only for even classes though • i.e. if a noble murdered a noble the penalty would be death, but not if a noble murdered a slave

9. The Course of Empire • Babylon fell about 1595 B.C.E. to the Hittites • Chaos ensued for several centuries following

10. Later Mesopotamian Empires • Assyrian Empire – 1300 B.C.E. – 600 B.C.E. • Nebuchadnezzar and the New Babylonian Empire – 600 B.C.E. – 550 B.C.E.

11. Economic Specialization and Trade • Mesopotamia developments • Bronze Metallurgy • Iron Metallurgy • The Wheel • Shipbuilding • Trade Networks

12. The Emergence of a Stratified Patriarchal Society • Social Classes • Kings (Hereditary) • Priests and Priestesses • Free commoners (owned property) • Dependent clients (no property) • Slaves (Prisoners of War, Convicted Criminals, indebted individuals)

13. Patriarchal Society • Men • In charge of public and private affairs • Head of households • Women • A few priestesses • Some scribes • Sexual and social behavior strictly controlled (Viels)

14. The Development of Written Cultural Traditions • World’s earliest known writing came from Mesopotamia • Cuneiform – Depends on graphic symbols, one of the earliest writing forms (p. 44) • Led to formal education • Led to rapid expansion of knowledge, especially in Mathematics and Astronomy

15. The Epic of Gilgamesh • Famous piece of Mesopotamian literature and the earliest piece of human literature written about a demigod name Gilgamesh.

16. Influence of Mesopotamia • Judaism – From the area of Palestine (present day Israel). Believed in one God known as Yahweh. • Phoenicians – Famous for maritime trade networks and alphabet. • Indo-Europeans – Spoke Indo-European language. Migrated throughout much of Eurasia and had profound impact on southwest Asia. • Moved into Europe (Celts… Dominant North of Mediterranean) and India and Iran • Hittites – Most powerful Indo-Europeans. Conquered Mesopotamia in 1595 B.C.E. • Horses domesticated… WAR CHARIOTS!