Ancient Mesopotamia: Ch.1.3 & 2.1Origins of Civilization

A Case Study: Ur in Sumer What makes a civilization?

1. Advanced cities (what creates a city?)

2. Specialized workers – artesians and trade

3. Complex institutions – government and laws; religion

4. Record keeping – scribes and cuneiform

5. Advanced technology – Bronze Age

Ur Around 3000 BC, Ur had a population of

around 30,000 Agricultural economy with large-scale

irrigation – why is irrigation important? Trade was conducted with a bartering

systemm Temple (ziggurat) being the center of city life

shows importance of religion

City States in Mesopotamia The region is known as the

Fertile Cresent due to the shape it takes lying between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers Why is this location important? What environmental challenges

were there? Flooding and then period of

little to no participation No natural barriers for

protection Building materials and other

natural resources were scarce

City States in Mesopotamia How were these problems solved?

Organization! Irrigation provided water Built walled cities for defense Traded manufactured goods for natural resources

City states arose… the cultures in Mesopotamia shared a common culture but WERE NOT a unified country.

City States in Mesopotamia Priests and rulers shared control, and this led

to the rise of dynasties. The success of the city states led to more of

them, and through cultural diffusion more sprung up in areas that were removed from Mesopotamia.

Sumerian Culture The Sumerians practiced

polytheism, or a belief in more than one god. People were their servants, and their #1 goal was to keep them happy. Death is not a reward… “Dust is their fare and clay is their food.”

Social classes arose with civilizations – what causes class separation today? Back then?

Developed a number system based on 60 (where does a minute come from?), modern architecture (columns & arches)

Created a system of writing called

Empire Building in Mesopotamia Sargon of Akkad was the first Mesopotamian empire

builder, who united northern and southern Mesopotamia. The Akkadian Empire stretched from the Mediterranean coast to Iran. The dynasty only lasted 200 years thanks to infighting.

Amorites invaded in 2000 BC, establishing their capital at Babylon. This empire reached its peak during Hammurabi’s reign, from 1792 BC to 1750 BC

Hammurabi's Code He recognized that a single, uniform

code of laws would unify the diverse group of people living in his empire. He compiled his code from existing rules and judgments. It lists 282 specific laws dealing

with every possible thing that could impact the community – many of these are property based

It applied to everyone, but set different punishments for men and women, rich and poor – is it fair to take circumstances into consideration?

Hammurabi believed that it was the government’s responsibility to protect those who could not protect themselves