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Ancient Civilizations

Ancient Civilizations. Mesopotamia. Civilization . A complex society Cities Organized government Art, religion, classes Writing system How has this civilization influenced us today?. Earliest known civilization. What is current day Iraq Southern part Between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

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Ancient Civilizations

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  1. Ancient Civilizations Mesopotamia

  2. Civilization • A complex society • Cities • Organized government • Art, religion, classes • Writing system How has this civilization influenced us today?

  3. Earliest known civilization • What is current day Iraq • Southern part • Between Tigris and Euphrates Rivers

  4. Mesopotamia • Land between the rivers • Part of the fertile crescent – Mediterranean to Persian Gulf

  5. Geography • Around 3500 bce • In Middle East (between Europe and Asia) • Between the Tigress and Euphrates Rivers • Hot dry climate • Rivers flood in spring and leave behind rich soil for farming • Area called Sumer in southern Mesopotamia

  6. Religion • Polytheistic • Gods blessed crops • Each god had power over a natural force or human activity (e.g. flooding or basket weaving) • Built temples – ziggurat • Priests and priestesses were powerful

  7. Achievements • Built dams and channels to control flooding of the rivers • Irrigation • Cuneiform writing • Epic of Gilgamesh • Inventions • Wagon wheel • Plow • Sailboat • Mathematical ideas

  8. Achievements continued • Created number system • 60 minute hour • 60 second minute • 360 degree circle • Astronomy • 12 month calendar • Assyrians • Erected large temples and palaces • Wall carvings and statues • Produced and collected literature – first library

  9. More Achievements • Chaldeans • City of Babylon • Hanging Gardens • Astronomers • First sundial • Seven-day week • Hittites • iron

  10. Politics • Sumer • City states developed • Priests may have ruled • Akkadians attacked under Sargon (2340 bce) • First empire • Hammurabi created Babylonian Empire (present day Bagdhad • Created law code • Assyrians – 1,000 years after Hammurabi • Large well organized army • Strong rulers • Built roads

  11. Politics continued • Cruel treatment under the Assyrians led to rebellions • Chaldeans captured Ninevah 612 bce ended Assyrian empire • Nebuchadnezzar leader

  12. Economics • Sumer • Farmers • Traded wheat and barley for copper, tin and timber • Men head of household/women could buy and sell property and own businesses • Chaldeans • Babylon became the world’s largest and richest city • Traveling merchants - caravans

  13. Social Structures

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