The Ancient Middle East

1. The Ancient Middle East

2. Mesopotamian Literature Read pgs. 6-10 Answer the following questions: What is the meaning of Mesopotamia? How did the Sumerians use mud? In your own words describe a city-state and how it was organized. Name two things the Sumerians developed. What is one of the oldest systems of writing the Sumerians are responsible for creating? What does Babylon mean and what city known today is nearby? What do the Codes of Hammurabi regulate? What are the names of the two rivers that provided water to this region? What was built that caused Babylon to fall into ruins?

3. Egyptian Literature Read pgs. 11-14 Answer the following questions 1 List three things the Nile river provided. 2 What is papyrus? What did the Egyptians make with it? What was this used for? 3 During which years were the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms? Which was known for the construction of the famous pyramids? Which period was known for its love poems? 4 Draw a pyramid indicating the different levels of Egyptian society and list the types of people in each level. 5 What system of writing are the Egyptians responsible for creating? 6 What was The Book of the Dead, and what did it contain?

4. Brain Break Everyone stand and raise your left foot and your right hand, while saying your name three times aloud. Now repeat using opposite side. Remember: when the bum is numb, the brain is dumb

5. Brain Break Everyone stand and Pat your head and rub your tummy, then touch your toes twice. Remember: when the bum is numb, the brain is dumb

6. Hebrew Literature Read pgs. 14-18 Answer the following questions: What does the word monotheist mean? What is the definition of patriarch? Who was the first Hebrew patriarch? Who’s name was changed to Israel? What were the Hebrew people soon called because of this change? The Book of Genesis tells the story of whom? The Israelites organized themselves into ________ tribes. What laid the foundation for Mosaic law? Who became the first king of Israel? What is the Hebrew capital city? What two words come from the word Judah? What is the name of the god who holds a covenant with the Hebrew people?

7. Brain Break Everyone stand and do five jumping jacks Remember: when the bum is numb, the brain is dumb

8. Ancient Middle East Poster Competition Your group must prepare and present a poster that represents the major influences of TheAncient Middle Eastern Society. The best group wins a free “No Homework” pass! Group Roles are as follows: Leader-gather materials, and clean area when finished Journalist-read notes and help decide what to put on your group’s poster Editor-write facts and draw artwork to design your group’s poster Presenter-share with the class what is incorporated on your group’s poster

9. Mesopotamian Literature

10. The Epic of Gilgamesh This oldest surviving epic was written more than four thousand years ago, and it is at least a thousand years older than most of the books in the Hebrew Bible. This tale is of a superhuman Sumerian king who searches for everlasting life. Gilgamesh who was two-thirds god and one-third human along with his friend Enkidu disrespect the gods, who then afflict Enkidu with a mortal illness. Gilgamesh realizing that he too must die, sets out to learn the secret of immortality from Utnapishtim, a survivor of the great flood.

11. The Epic of Gilgamesh An epic hero is an epic’s larger-than-life main character. The hero is a leader that stands for the values of his/her society. An epic hero often goes on a dangerous journey or quest to achieve a difficult goal. Although the hero demonstrates bravery, strength, and knowledge along the way, an epic hero also has human weaknesses. Gilgamesh is the earliest known epic hero and his weakness or “fatal flaw” takes the form of pride.

12. Clock Activities3:00 Think of some larger-than-life heroes. What are their strengths? What are their weaknesses? Think of two heroes and list their strengths and weaknesses.

13. Kinesthetic Vocabulary Game: “I have… who has…” Incantation p. 25 Lamented p. 25 Endured p. 26 Felon pg. p. 27 Drawn p. 27 Decree p. 28 Firmament p. 29 Clamor p. 29 Batten p. 30 Tempest p. 30 Cauldrons p. 31 Embers p. 32 Sluices p. 33

14. The Epic of Gilgameshpg. 23-33 1. Who is Gilgamesh? 2. Describe the man-bird in Enkidu’s dream. 3. How long does Gilgamesh mourn the death of Enkidu? 4. What does Gilgamesh hope to find on his quest? 5. Describe the scorpions that guard the gate of the mountain. 6. What is the length through the mountain? 7. Why does Siduri bar her gate when she sees Gilgamesh approaching? 8. What does Siduri advise Gilgamesh to do? 9. According to Utnapishtim, why did the gods once try to destroy humanity? 10. What does Ea instruct Utnapishtim to tell the other Sumerians before the flood? 11. How long did the flood last? 12. According to Utnapishtim, where does the plant grow that gives everlasting life? 13. Why does Gilgamesh fail to bring the river plant to his people? 14. What does Gilgamesh do after he returns from his quest?

15. Homework Write a one page essay describing a person in your life that you consider a hero. What special attributes make this person a hero? What are his/her strengths? What are his/her weaknesses? Why is this person your hero?

16. Egyptian Literature

17. Egypt It is in this early civilization that one of the first forms of writing began. It is called hieroglyphics. This type of ancient Egyptian writing was in picture form. Each picture denotes a word or idea rather than just expressing the sound. There are over seven hundred hieroglyphics in this ancient form of writing.

18. How do you write with hieroglyphics? The symbols always face towards the beginning of the line so you know which direction to start reading. Besides changing direction, hieroglyphics rarely used vowels, although they were spoken. In English words are often abbreviated by leaving out the vowels as well - bldg = building, ltd = limited and cm = centimeter.

19. Where were hieroglyphics used? You can see hieroglyphics on ancient tombs, pyramid walls, pottery, and ceramics. Scribes also used hieroglyphics on papyrus to record the history of Egypt. Hieroglyphics were extremely hard to learn. Only scribes learned to write them and they trained for years, starting school when they were boys. Girls were not allowed to go to school so they couldn't become scribes. Scribes were special royal servants. They didn't have to go into the military or pay taxes. They were also well-respected and had their pictures painted on the walls of houses and monuments.

20. Papyrus One of the major contributions the Egyptians gave to civilization is the invention of paper, made from papyrus reeds. Papyrus is a plant that grows on the banks of the Nile River in Egypt. (Kind of like we know as a broadleaf cattail.) Papyrus, can grow up to 15 feet high. Egyptians used paper made from papyrus for 4000 years until other plants and trees were used to make paper for economical reasons. Paper made from papyrus is still made, but normally only as a tourist attraction.

21. Assignment: You are in Egypt; create a post card addressed to a friend or family member using a combination of words and symbols. One side must have an illustration of a scene from Egypt. The other side must contain your message. Your message must be a minimum of four sentences. You must add color Don’t forget the stamp! (draw one in the corner)

22. In ancient Egypt, burial rites could not be performed unless a person’s body was whole. In turn, if burial rites were not performed, the person’s spirit could not pass to Duat, the Land of the Dead. The ancient Egyptians also believed that to be admitted to the Land of the Dead, a person’s body had to be preserved. (To keep it from decaying.) They also believed that a body had to be reunited with its spirit, which had fled the body at death. To preserve the body and lure back its spirit, the ancient Egyptians developed a practice called embalming.

23. “It is human to be paralyzed by grief, but it is heroic to be activated by it.” Write a quick-write/journal-entry paragraph about the above quote. What do you think the quote means? What experiences in your life can you associate with this quote?

24. The great goddess of ancient Egypt was Isis, and her husband was Osiris. The hero of this ancient Egyptian myth is a model of love, faithfulness, and above all, persistence. Follow the goddess Isis on her unusual quest to rescue her husband’s body.

25. World Myths and Folk Tales Read Isis the Queen pg. 116-120. Record and answer the following questions: 1. Why does Seth want his brother Osiris to get into a beautiful coffin? a. Seth wants to kill Osiris and rule Egypt. b. Seth wants to give Osiris the coffin and needs to be sure it fits 2. Isis finds the coffin containing Osiris… a. floating down the Nile b. In a pyramid c. encased in a tree in Byblos 3. What does Seth do when he finds the body of Osiris? a. He encloses it in a beautiful pyramid b. He cuts it into fourteen pieces and scatters them 4. Who is Horus? a. the god of the dead b. the son of Isis and the spirit of Osiris

26. Hebrew Literature The most important example of Hebrew literature is the Jewish Bible. (Christians refer to this as the Old Testament).

27. What is the Bible? • The word Bible came from the Greek word biblia, meaning a collection of writings. • The Hebrew Bible can be divided into three main sections: the Torah (“law,” the first five books), historical accounts and narratives (Books of Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon), and a variety of genres including poetry (Psalms), short stories (Book of Ruth), and dialogue (Book of Job).

28. Who wrote the Bible? • Christians believe God gave humans the message through divine inspiration. • In the nineteenth century some scholars began to theorize that multiple people recorded the Bible because of the differences in style and content.

29. What themes run through the Bible? • power, goodness, and mercy of ONE God • God’s covenant with His people • the tendency for humans to stray from the right path (sin) • the forgiveness humans can receive from God

30. “In the Beginning” • Quickwrite: In a journal entry record how you believe the world and humans came to be. This should be a minimum of (one) paragraph.

31. Literary Terms: repetition: the recurrence of words, phrases, sentences, or passages to create a particular literary effectarchetypes: symbols and images that appear in literature, music, and history. Archetypes have universal meanings (snakes, trees, McDonald’s arch, dove, Star of David, crossroads, etc.) Vocabulary: • firmament: the sky • dominion: rule; absolute authority • replenish: refill or make complete again • subdue: conquer; cultivate • beguiled: deceived • enmity: hostility • The word genesis comes from the Greek wordgignesthai, which means to be born.

32. Read “In the Beginning”(pages 53-56). Record and answer the questions on the following slide.

33. In what image was man created? • What did God create on the first day? • What did God say about what He created? • What was the name of the garden holding the first humans? • Name the TWO trees that were mentioned by name in Eden. • Name the FOUR rivers found in Eden. • Name the THREE precious items found in Eden. • Which tree was forbidden? • Draw and label how God created Eve. • What reason does the serpent give Eve to eat of the forbidden tree? • What THREE things about the tree enticed Eve? • What did Adam and Eve realize when their “eyes were opened”? • What did they do when they heard God’s voice? • What excuse does Adam give for eating of the tree? • What excuse does Eve give? • Name TWO punishments given to the serpent. • Name a punishment given to Adam. • Name one punishment given to Eve. • Who is to blame for the wrongdoing of the first humans? WHY?

34. Create a travel guide for The Garden of Eden; your work must contain the following items: • a title page and map and key • a description why Eden is a wonderful tourist attraction • Tree of Knowledge • Tree of Life • Pison River • Gihon River • Hiddekel River (Tigris) • Euphrates River • gold • Bdellium • onyx • cherubims • flaming swords • animals

35. “Noah and the Flood”(pages 60-63)vocabulary • Terminate: end. • Covenant: a solemn agreement or contract. • Subsided: sank; moved to a lower level. • Reckoning: assignment of rewards or punishments for actions.

36. Complete the following journal entry: What problems threaten life on our planet today? Free-write about environmental issues—damages to the ozone layer, global warming, pollution, destruction of rain forests—that affect every inhabitant of the earth. This should be in paragraph form.

37. Read and answer the following questions: • 1) Why was God angry with humans? • 2) Who did God find “favor with”? • 3) Name the people God said he would spare. • 4) How many of each animal was Noah instructed to bring on the ark? • 5) How long would the rain last? • 6) How old was Noah when the flood began? • 7) Where did the ark finally come to rest? • 8) Name the two birds Noah released. • 9) What was God’s covenant and symbol given to the human race? • 10) What is a possible theme of the work? • 11) Describe how Ham showed disrespect to his father. • 12) How old was Noah when he died?

38. Illustration of the Ark- You must create an illustration of the ark by including the following components: • Ark made of gopher wood • length of 300 cubits (a unit of measurement. about 50 centimeters long or as long as the king's forearm. I am used for measuring fields so the king knows how much tax people pay.) • width of 50 cubits • height of 30 cubits • window one cubit from the top • three decks • a door in the side of the ark • Noah, Ham, Shem, and Japheth and their wives • 7 of the clean animals and 2 of the unclean animals • raven and dove • Mountains of Ararat • Rainbow • 40 days and 40 nights of rain

39. “Deucalion” a Greek myth“Tata and Nena” an Aztec myth pg. 64-65 • In “Deucalion, why does Zeus decide to destroy human kind? • How are Deucalion and his wife saved from the flood? • How long did it rain? • What do they do when they realize they are the only survivors? • What does Zeus mean when he says, “cast behind you the bones of your mother”? • In “Tata & Nena”, who is Tlaloc? • Why do the rain gods decide to save Tata & Nena? • Why are they changed into dogs?

40. Literary TermsParable:a brief narrative that teaches a moral., a lesson about life. Allegory:a story in which the characters, setting, and events stand for, or symbolize, abstract or moral concepts. • The word parable comes from the Greek word meaning “comparison”. • The Christian Bible consists of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, a collection of twenty-seven books.

41. Read “The Prodigal Son & The Talents”(pages 84-85). Record and answer the questions on the following slide.

42. In “The Prodigal Son,” how does the younger son use his inheritance? • In “The Prodigal Son,” What causes the younger son to come to his senses and return home? • What indication is there that the younger son has undergone a spiritual change? • How do the father and older brother react to the return of this younger son? • In “The Prodigal Son,” which character is the most generous and loving? • When considering the term allegory on a symbolic level, who might the father, the elder son, and the younger son represent? • In “The Talents,” what do the first two servants do with their bags of gold? • Why is the master in “The Talents” angry with the servant who still has only one bag? • What might the bags of gold represent? • Quickly sketch the three men before their master.

43. Clock Activities6:00 Discuss with your partner the following questions: • What should one do with his/her talents? • Name two talents that you have. • What do you think will happen to those talents if they are not used?

44. Exodus: The Story of Moses • View The Prince of Egypt and answer questions from the viewing guide. Israel's Exodus from Egypt and Entry into Canaan

45. What is probably the most important legacy of the ancient Mesopotamians? • What cultural contributions did the ancient Egyptians make to civilization? • How are the Hebrews different from their neighboring cultures in both their history and their beliefs? Review all works and literary terms for your Ancient Middle East Unit Test.