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Early Civilizations

Early Civilizations. Chapter 2 and 3. City-states of Ancient Sumer. Fertile Crescent – region of the middle east between and around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers It has very rich soils and golden wheat fields Mesopotamia – “between the rivers”. Ancient Sumer. World’s first civilization

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Early Civilizations

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  1. Early Civilizations Chapter 2 and 3

  2. City-states of Ancient Sumer • Fertile Crescent– region of the middle east between and around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers • It has very rich soils and golden wheat fields • Mesopotamia – “between the rivers”

  3. Ancient Sumer • World’s first civilization • The Epic of Gilgamesh • Poem of a great flood that destroys the world • Flooding control • Use of dikes and ditches • Construction • Lacked stone and wood • Use clay to make bricks • Ur and Uruk

  4. Ancient Sumer cont. • Rich from Trade • Invented the wheel? • Egyptian and Indian goods

  5. Sumerian Civilization • Multiple city-states and war = hereditary rule by war leaders • Gov’t • Maintains city walls and irrigation system • Led armies • Enforced laws • Employed scribes • Led religious ceremonies

  6. Sumerian Civilization • Social Structure • Hierarchy – system of ranking groups • Top Class: ruling family, leading officials, high priests • Small middle class: lesser priests, scribes, merchants, artisans • Lower class: Peasants • Slaves from warfare or sale • Role of Women • Goddesses were highly honored • Never had legal rights • Some ruler’s wives had supervisory positions • Read, write, & play music

  7. Sumerian Civilization • Religion • Polytheistic ?? • Thought the gods acted like humans • Responsible for truth, justice, violence, & suffering • Ziggurat – a large, stepped platform thought to have been topped by a temple dedicated to the city’s chief god or goddess • Sumerian Afterlife: after dying, you live in a grim underworld with no escape and only dust to eat

  8. Sumerian Civilization • Writing • Invented by Sumerians • Cuneiform: wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets • Began as pictographs and later became complex symbols • Used for econ., myths, prayers, laws, and business contracts • Scribe school • Not talking • Poor writing was not tolerated • Caned as a punishment • Could gain high positions

  9. Sumerian Legacy • Cuneiform was used by Akkadians, Babylonians, & Assyrians • Astronomy, mathematics, number system based on 6, 60 minutes, 360º • Babylonians used Sumerian math to form algebra & geometry, accurate calendars, and prediction of eclipses

  10. Mesopotamian Empires • 2300 B.C.  Sargon, ruler of Akkad • Invaded & conquered Sumer • Builds first known empire • Appointed local rulers

  11. Mesopotamian Empires • 1790 B.C.  Hammurabi, king of Babylon • Conquered ancient Sumer after the death of Sargon • Hammurabi’s Code – publication of laws • 300 laws on stone pillars • Codify: arrange and set down in writing • Civil law: private rights and matters • E.g. business contracts, property inheritance, taxes, marriage, divorce • Criminal law: deals with offenses against other such as robbery, assault, or murder • “eye for an eye”

  12. Mesopotamian Empires • Hammurabi’s improvements: • Better irrigation • Well-trained army • Repaired temples • Encouraged religion by promoting Marduk, the patron god of Babylon

  13. Mesopotamian Empires • Hittites – 1400 B.C. • Introduced ironworking • Assyrians • Known for their skill as warriors • Rich society • First to develop laws regulating royal families • Established one of the first libraries

  14. Nebuchadnezzar • King of Babylon • Reforms the Babylon empire • Rebuilds the city of Babylon • Built a defensive moat and wall • 9 gates to enter the city in honor of the main Gods and Goddesses • Built the hanging gardens

  15. Persians • 539 B.C. Conquered Babylon • Largest empire EVER!!!!! • Darius • Set up a bureaucracy • Divided empire into two satrapy • Governor for each • Each paid taxes based on what they had • Supervision of governors

  16. Darius cont. • Written laws • Built roads • Set up standards of weights and measures • Encouraged the use of coins • Barter economy : exchange one set of goods or services for another • Money economy: goods and services are paid for through the exchange of a token

  17. Zoroaster • Persian intellectual • Taught that a single god named Ahura Mazda was in control of the world • Also taught that Ahriman, the prince of lies and evil was fighting for Ahura Mazda’s power • Stressed a final judgement day

  18. Phoenicians • Sailors and traders in the Mediterranean • Made glass, “Tyrian purple” • Set up colonies • Colony: a territory settled & ruled by people from another land • “carriers of civilization” • Alphabet – symbols representative of certain sounds • 22 Consonants • Greeks add vowels

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