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Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia

Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia. World History. The Impact of Geography. Mesopotamia : The land between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates The Fertile Crescent : Larger area (from Med. Sea to the Persian Gulf) Impact : Rivers deposited silt when they flooded in late Spring

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Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia

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  1. Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia World History

  2. The Impact of Geography • Mesopotamia: The land between the rivers • Tigris and Euphrates • The Fertile Crescent: Larger area (from Med. Sea to the Persian Gulf) • Impact: Rivers deposited silt when they flooded in late Spring • Eventually the people learn to control the water with irrigation and drainage

  3. Fertile Crescent

  4. Akkadia and Sumeria

  5. The Sumerians • By 3000 BC there were a number of independent cities in Southern Mesopotamia which developed into city-states • The centerpiece of each of these cities was the temple which was built on massive stepped tower called a Ziggurat • Government • Theocracies: monarchies by divine authority

  6. Ziggurat

  7. Empires in Mesopotamia • Eventually these city states fell into conflict with each other and outside forces • 2340 BC The Akkadians and their leader Sargon conquered the region and set up the worlds first Empire (fell in 2100 BC) • 1792 BC Hammurabi (leader of the Babylonians gained control of Akad and Sumer • Hammurabi’s Code? (eye for an eye) • Patriarchal society

  8. Religion and Creativity • Religion: Polytheistic (3000 or more gods usually associated with nature • Creativity: • Writing (Cuneiform) to pass down knowledge and record events • The Epic of Gilgamesh (immortality for gods only) • Technology Bronze (copper and tin), wagon wheel, potters wheel, sundial

  9. Assyrians and Persians

  10. A Mighty Military Machine • 850 BC, the Assyrians advanced from the northern part of Mesopotamia • Open area, Little protection • Relied on military strength for defense from outside attack • Assyrian Empire stretched from north and east of the Tigris river to Egypt • Development of Weapons • Armor, Weapons, Organization

  11. Assyrian Rule • 650 BC • Height of rule • Fell by 612 BC • Organization of conquered areas into empire • Divided into regions • Assyrians choose rulers • Taxes and Tribute

  12. Assyrian Culture • Assyrian Kings were great builders, not just destroyers • Nineveh • Capital city • Ashurbanipal • Great warrior • Could read many languages • Library • 25,000 clay tablets

  13. Nebuchadnezzar • Chaldean King of Babylon (604-562BC) • Restoration of Babylon • Euphrates through the city • Walls • 4 Horse Chariot could ride on top • Hanging gardens of Babylon • Made for homesick wife • 75 feet above the ground • Hydraulic pumps • Babylon fell after Nebuchadnezzar's death to the Persian Empire

  14. Rise of the Persian Empire(559 BC -330 BC) • Cyrus • Ruled from 559-530 BC • Military genius, but great Administrator • Method of governing • Kindness to conquered people • Religiously tolerant (opposite of the Assyrians) • Darius (522-486 BC) • Created an effective style of administration • Empire reached its greatest extent • Return to toleration and Cyrus’ style of rule

  15. Provinces and Royal Road • Royal Road • “Interstate 95” • Ran across the Persian empire • 1,677 mile long • 111 posts (Rest Stations) • 15 miles apart • Messenger • 7 days • Increased trade and communication throughout the empire • Darius was a great warrior, but his genius was governing • 20 provinces • Darius still ruled with absolute power • Satraps (gov’s) • Kings eyes and ears • Tax collectors

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