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Chapter 2 Early Civilizations

Chapter 2 Early Civilizations. The Fertile Crescent. What does the word Fertile mean? What can you infer about the area based on it’s name? Formed around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Geography of the Fertile Crescent. Benefits. Problems. Low Rainfall

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Chapter 2 Early Civilizations

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  1. Chapter 2Early Civilizations

  2. The Fertile Crescent • What does the word Fertile mean? • What can you infer about the area based on it’s name? • Formed around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

  3. Geography of the Fertile Crescent Benefits Problems Low Rainfall Heat (Temps. can get higher than 120 degrees!) • Fresh Water • Fish • Rich Soil

  4. Geography of the Fertile Crescent • What is a surplus? • How would you explain the effect of surplus food on an area? • Population Grows • If surplus continues a specialization of labor occurs. • This means that not every one has to be a farmer. • Jobs as Artists, Shop Keepers, Traders, Priests, Governors and more begin to form!

  5. A Civilization is Formed! • Civilization: Groups of people who have a complex and organized society within a culture • The land the first civilization was formed in was called: Mesopotamia • Mesopotamia mean “land between two rivers”, why?

  6. Six Characteristics of a Civilization • A system of government that directs and controls some actions of the members of society. • A regular food supply that is not likely to suddenly change. • Specialization of labor, in which members of the society perform different jobs. • Different social levels, in which some members of the society are given higher status than others. • A highly developed culture including art, architecture, music, literature, science, writing and other complex technologies. • A religious system, which might include priests and temples.

  7. “What’s a city-state?” • City-State: a city that is an individual unit with its own form of government and traditions • City-States can form because surplus food allows people to settle in one area!

  8. Assignment • Answer the following two-part writing prompt in paragraph form on a lined piece of paper: • 1. Is the U.S. a civilization according to the six characteristics explained in class? Provide examples for each characteristic. • 2. Does a civilization, in your opinion, need to have all of the characteristics mentioned? Why or why not? • This is due: Friday August 31 and can also be found on the wiki page

  9. Lesson 2 Mesopotamia Culture and Places

  10. Religion • What is a religion where multiple gods are worshipped called? • Polytheism • People living in this area believed that gods effected every area of their lives • What examples of this can you find on p.42 of your book?

  11. Ziggurat • Consisted of a series of stacked rectangular platforms that formed a huge pyramid-shaped structure around 290 feet high. • Built to link the heavens to the earth.

  12. Government • Religion and Government were linked • They believed that the right to rule (king) is god-given. • Called Divine Kingship • They also believed rule could be passed from father to son.

  13. Class System • Social Classes in Mesopotamia • Wealthy • Landowners • Government workers • Artists • Farmers • Slaves

  14. Writing • Look at the picture on p.43, how has writing changed since 2400 B.C.E.? • Scrip- professional writer • Cuneiform- wedge shaped writing of the Mesopotamians • Created works of literature, recorded medical texts, law cases, and wise sayings. (example: Epic of Gilgamesh)

  15. Sumer • Around 3500 BCE in southern Mesopotamia • Agricultural Community

  16. Sumer Achievements • The Cradle of Civilization • Wheel • Pottery • Writing (Cuneiform) • Irrigation • Math • Written laws • Plow • Arch • Bronze Tools • Sail boats • These are just a few!

  17. Akkad • Located in Northern Mesopotamia • Akkad vs. Sumer • Consistently fought • Language was only real difference • Greatest Leader was Sargon

  18. Sargon • Created the world first empire 2334 BCE • Accomplished this by conquering the Sumerians • Installed the 1stDynasty (Belief that sons should inherit the throne of their father) • His empire remained until the city-state of Ur revolted in 150 years later

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