24 October 201324 October 2013Objective – Become familiar Mesopotamia’s GeographyObjective – Become familiar Mesopotamia’s Geography

• Bellringer: Map Questions…River Valley Civilizations – page 58 & 59– # 1 - 5

• Mesopotamia Geo. Basics– Packet page 2

• Elements of a Civilization– Packet page 3

• Interactive Story? If time….

• HW: None

River Valley Civilizations – page 58 & 59

• 1. Why did all early civilizations settle in river valleys? (There are 3 reasons)

• 2. What two continents are these civilizations located?

• 3. Name the five rivers that these civilizations developed around.

• 4. Where in the world is Mesopotamia located?• 5. As people began to settle in farming villages

some became large cities. Name three cities from these river valley civilizations.

16 October 201316 October 2013Objective – Become familiar Mesopotamia’s GeographyObjective – Become familiar Mesopotamia’s Geography

• Bellringer: Why is it good to settle along a river?

• Mesopotamia Geo. Basics– Packet page 2

• Elements of a Civilization– Packet page 3

• HW: None

What does What does Mesopotamia mean?Mesopotamia mean?

The “land The “land between the between the

rivers” in Greekrivers” in Greek

On what rivers did Mesopotamia

develop?

The Tigris and The Tigris and Euphrates Euphrates

RiversRivers

What is the What is the Fertile Crescent?Fertile Crescent?

A large arc of A large arc of FertileFertile farmland extending farmland extending

from the from the Persian GulfPersian Gulf to the to the Mediterranean Mediterranean

SeaSea..

• Map from CIA Source Book

Map of Modern Day Mesopotamia

When and how were When and how were farming settlements farming settlements

established in established in Mesopotamia?Mesopotamia?

By By 7000BC7000BC people were people were growing crops along the growing crops along the TigrisTigris and and EuphratesEuphrates Rivers and had Rivers and had formed small formed small villagesvillages there. there.

Ways to help Ways to help farmingfarming……

Irrigation- a way of supplying Irrigation- a way of supplying water to an area of land.water to an area of land.

Silt- a mixture of rich soil and Silt- a mixture of rich soil and tiny rocks. tiny rocks.

Canals- human-made Canals- human-made waterwayswaterways

Surplus!*Farming allowed Early Farming allowed Early

Mesopotamians to Mesopotamians to develop a surplus, or develop a surplus, or an an

excess - more than is excess - more than is neededneeded..

What is a division of What is a division of labor?labor?

Workers Workers specialize in a specialize in a specific task or specific task or

job. job.

How might big construction How might big construction projects like the building of projects like the building of canals and large buildings canals and large buildings lead to laws and lead to laws and government?government?

You need to have You need to have organization of some sort organization of some sort

to complete such large to complete such large tasks.tasks.

What Makes Up A Civilization?

Page 3

What is a civilization?

• It is a network of cities that all share a common culture.

• 5 Requirements– Stable Food Supply– Division of Labor– System of Government– Social Hierarchy– Highly Developed Culture

Stable Food Supply

• A steady supply of food or a surplus

Division of Labor

• People do a variety of different jobs that help the civilizations function.

System of Government

• Laws that protect the people in the civilization.

Social Hierarchy

• Social classes or the social pyramid

Highly Developed Culture

• Examples -- Art, architecture, religion, law, music, a system of writing.

Parting Thoughts….

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=84y2q4giihY

Is Mesopotamia a Civilization?

Stable Food Supply

• Irrigation increased the amount of food farmers were able to grow

• Farmers could create a surplus of food

• Foods included: fish, meat, barley and dates

Division of Labor

• Since there was a surplus of food, not everyone had to be a farmer

• Each worker could specialize in a particular job

• People could become– Crafters– Religious leaders– Government workers

System of Government

• Organized into city-states (city & countryside around it)

• King is in control

Social HierarchyKing

Priests

Skilled CraftspeopleMerchants & Traders

Farmers & Laborers(Working Class)

Slaves

Highly Developed Culture

• Writing – Cuneiform• Works of literature – poems & stories• Invented the wheel and plow• Statues of gods• Gold jewelry• People sang, danced & played

musical instruments