Mesopotamia

1. Mesopotamia

2. The Fertile Crescent is between the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf • The most fertile area is between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers • Mesopotamia means “between the rivers” • Rivers flooded in the spring leaving fertile soil behind • Unpredictable Geography

3. First civilization in the area • Had large cities • In the center of each was a huge ziggurat: a pyramid shaped structure that acted as a temple • Theses cities began to form around 3000 BC • Cities and the surrounding land became city-states: a political unit with its own government Sumer

4. Practiced polytheism: the worship of many gods • Worked hard to please them • City-states were first controlled by priests but then war chief who eventually became kings • Served as the gods’ representatives • Formed dynasties: a series of rulers from the same family Religion And Government

5. Their writing was cuneiform making wedged shaped symbol in clay tablets • Laws and grammar, literature • This was the first writing system to be developed • Developed the math system based on 60 • Invented the wheel • Started long distance trading • Lead to social hierarchy Culture

6. Akkadians live to the north • Sargon I created a permanent army • First one ever in the world • Conquered Sumer and the rest of northern Mesopotamia (2300 BC) • Resulted in first empire: a land that includes different kingdoms and people under one rule • Kept parts of Sumerian culture • Lasted 140 years Empires of Mesopotamia

7. The King of Babylon was Hammurabi • United Mesopotamia again ( known as the Babylonian empire) • Smart general, able ruler • Created Hammurabi’s Code: set of written laws dealing with all aspects of life • During reign became Mesopotamia’s greatest city • After his death their power declined and they the empire fell only 2 centuries later Empires of Mesopotamia

8. Turn to 36 Read together Hammurabi’s code Complete Hammurabi’s code worksheet Activity- Hammurbi’s code

9. Complete Vocabulary for 2.1 (list on page 33… all the highlighted words) • Fertile Crescent • Mesopotamia • Ziggurat • City-state • Polytheism • Dynasty • Cuneiform • Sargon • Hammurabi • Answer section 1 assessment questions 1, 2, 3 (pg 37) Assignment

10. As the Babylonian Empire declined the Indo-Europeans moved in • Indo-Europeans: Group of tribes who all spoke the same language located near the Black Sea • Hittites were the most powerful group of Indo-Europeans • War-like, used horse-drawn chariots • Mastered iron-working Empires of the Fertile Crescent

11. Assyrians lived in Mesopotamia, however, because of their fertile land they were attacked often. • Gained power and controlled all of Mesopotamia and parts of Turkey and Egypt • Was a warrior society • Wanted to spread fear • Kings ruled through local leaders Empires of the Fertile Crescent

12. Chaldeans conquered the Assyrians and made their capital Babylon • Nebuchadnezzer II was known as a warrior and builder • Captured Jerusalem and enslaved the Jews • Rebuilt Babylon • Created a palace with the hanging gardens • Defeated by Persians Empires of the Fertile Crescent

13. BEFORE LEARNING ASSIGNMENT In groups of 2-3 create a brief summary of the development of the Persian Empire, focusing on Cyrus the Great and Darius I. List the achievements, leadership skills, and territorial expansion of each leader. The Sections on these rulers are on page 51-53 The Persian Empire

14. Persia under the Medes • Persia was conquered and ruled by medes and part of the media kingdom • They could keep their own rulers as long as they didn’t rebel • Cyrus the Great • Arose as a leader in Persia in 559BC • Led a revolt against Medes and won • He united Persia and Mede under his rule Growth and organization

15. Cyrus expanded his kingdom into Asia Minor When Cyrus conquered a city he allowed the city to continue their customs • This practice won him the respect of those he conquered and ruled. • Persia became the largest empire in the world at the time, under Cyrus command Growth and Expansion

16. Cambyese II • Once he died he left Persia without a ruler • After Cyrus died his son took over and conquered Egypt, adding it to the Persian empire • Darius I • He arose after the death of Cambyese as the leader of Persia • He added tradition and ceremony to the kingdom • He created a permanent army • The heart of his army were called the Ten Thousand Immortals • The first coin was minted under Darius I • He strengthen their economy • Height and Persia reign Growth and Expansion

17. Persia Decline- Xerxes • Darius son, Xerxes failed to expand the kingdom • Last strong ruler • After his Darius death Persia began to decline and the empire only lasted another 150 years • (In 300 BC Alexander the Great conquered Persia and ruled in the kingdom) Growth and expansion

18. Zoroastrianism • Under the rule of Darius I Zoroastrianism became the new religion • First religion to teach dualism: the belief that the world is controlled by two opposing forces, good and evil. Persian Religion

19. Had a peaceful kingdom because of the acceptance of other cultures High quality roads, that link the parts of the kingdoms together The Royal Road- the world first highway Their Art and Architecture Persian Achievements

20. Answer Comprehension and Critical Thinking questions 8 (a-c) 9 (a-c) and 11 (a-c) Homework read page 63-66 and write three questions you have from the section Assignment