Mesopotamia Objective: To have students acquire knowledge about Mesopotamian civilizations
River Valleys Two important rivers that were important to the daily lives of the Mesopotamian civilizations: The Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers These river systems played a central role in the development of civilizations by providing water in a hot dry climate and soil fertility by flooding and silting the surrounding lands.
Sumer Sumerians were the first civilization to settle in Mesopotamia. They comprised of city-states (the basic political unit of Mesopotamian civilization). These city-states were Uruk, Ur, Akkad, and Lagash. Local kings or priests exercised both economic and political control in the city-state governments. Kings believed in divine authority.
Rulers Around 2350 BC, The Akkadians lead by Sargon, conquered the Sumerian city-states and established an empire that included the majority of Mesopotamia as well as territory to the west. Rulers were commanders of army, judges in all political disputes, and owners of all property.
Learning Sumerians studied mathematics, astronomy and medicine. They were able to make bronze by combining tin and copper. Invented the wheel by 3000 BC. Buildings were built out of brick and stone. Developed a numerical system as well as a calendar with twelve months. Invented a system of writing known as cuneiform. Famous literature: Epic of Gilgamesh, which contains legends of gods, kings and heroic events.
Commerce and Law Due to the major waterways nearby, Mesopotamians were able to trade with civilizations in India, Egypt, North Africa, Syria, and Asia Minor. Used a barter system for trade. Society was separated by strict class lines: Priestly caste, ordinary citizens, peasants, and slaves.
Religion Polytheistic Worshipped the sky, sun, earth, water, etc. Gods included Anu (chief god), Inanna (goddess of love and war), Enlil (wind), and Enki (earth and rivers). Ziggurats were buildings that served as temples.
Babylonians Invaded Mesopotamia around 1950 BC and put an end to the Sumerian empire. King Hammurabi become ruler around 1790 BC and increased trade and agriculture.
Society Priests were the higher class. They acted as judges, teachers, and officials in the bureaucracy. They also practiced astrology and predicted the future. The next social class was the land owning nobility who influenced agriculture (which was the chief source of wealth). Third class was freeholders, which were farmers and occasionally owned the land. Lowest class was slaves.
Industry and Commerce Irrigation techniques such as a network of canals were introduced. Metal objects, weapons, jewelry, woven materials, earthenware, and building materials were produced. Trading was based on bartering. Organized corporations that regulated prices and sales contracts were engraved on mud brick tablets. Trade when to east Asia and to the western parts of the Mediterranean.
Law Hammurabi s code regulated all aspects of social life: public, professional, business, and family affairs. An eye for an eye made many crimes punishable by death. Extended protection of the law for all classes, including slaves. However, punishments were different depending on which class the victim belonged to.
Fall of Babylon A weak central power proved to be the downfall for Babylon as attacks from the north and south weakened the empire. Around 1550 BC, the Hittites invaded the Babylonian empire and conquered them with horse-drawn war chariots.
Hebrews Saul established a small kingdom in the Mesopotamian region. Around 1000 BC, his successor, King David, conquered Jerusalem and extend the borders to the shores of the Red Sea. Hebrews were monotheistic (Yahweh). This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Hebrews under King Solomon King Solomon became king in 950 BC. During his rule, a period of peace, prosperity, cultural expansion, building and lively trade took place. After his death, revolts broke out and the unity of the Kingdom was destroyed. Hebrew land were dived into two regions, Judea and Israel. Judea was conquered in 586 BC and Jerusalem was destroyed.
Assyrians The Assyrians invaded Syria in the 9 th Century BC and conquered the cities of Damascus and Babylon. They extended their empire south to Egypt in the 7 th Century BC. Established capital at Nineveh. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Political Organization Solved most issue by force, such as using terrorist tactics to enforce obedience. Weapons were made of iron. Conquered peoples were dispersed throughout the empire. For the first time, coins were used instead of the barter system.
Fall of Assyria After expanding too far, the empire began to fall apart. Between 650 and 520 BC, conquered peoples rebelled and freed themselves from the Assyrians. Capital of Nineveh was destroyed by the Babylonians.
Persians Persians defeated their neighbors, the Lydians along with their former allies, the Medes to establish control of the region. They conquered the Greek cities on the coast of Asia minor and conquered Babylon in 539 BC. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
Persian Culture Babylonian and Assyrian traditions were preserved. Allowed Hebrews to return to their homeland. Zoroaster established a religion that was monotheistic. Zoroastrianism taught individuals that there was an eternal struggle between good and evil. It taught ideas of immortality, truth and justice.
Persian Government Established capital city at Susa. Borders extended from Egypt to India by 525 BC. Persian military comprised of a highly trained military force called the Ten Thousand Immortals. The empire was divided into satrapies (provinces) where a governor would have local control and was under the strict supervision of the central government. Allowed conquered regions to keep their laws, officials, and taxed them lightly. Monetary system was introduced. Roads were constructed and a canal between the Nile and Red Sea was established.