Ancient Mesopotamia

The Fertile Crescent

An arc of fertile land between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea. This is also called Mesopotamia.

Mesopotamia

A fertile land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. (The land between the rivers)( is now Iraq).

The Mesopotamians (were polytheism) organized themselves into a series of independent cities, and each city controlled its surrounding land.

The Story of Mesopotamia is the story of the _____& _____ of Empires!

RISE & FALL

The Birth of Empire

Sargon of Akkad, the first ruler to create the worlds first empire by controlling northern and southern Mesopotamia. Sargon spread Sumerian culture beyond Tigris-Euphrates Valley.

Sumer

The first civilization in Mesopotamia known for its collection of city-states. Each city-state centered around a temple called a Ziggurat so that the people could worship their gods and participate in religious activities. Some inventions the Sumerians invented that helped with society include the wheel, cuneiform writing, and advances in mathematics.

Hammurabi’s Code

One of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world, it is a set of laws inscribed on a stone stele that established rules and punishments for various offenses in ancient Mesopotamia. Hammurabi, the Babylonian king, created this code around 1754 BC to promote justice and order. The Gods told Hammurabi’s Codes.

1st Babylon Empire

Also known as the Old Babylonian Empire that was established in Mesopotamia. Around 2000 BCE the Amorites invaded the land. Hammurabi was the ruler of the Amorite dynasty who establish capital at Babylon, on Euphrates river. Around 1700-612 BCE, The Assyrians conquered the 1st Babylonian Empire. Around 612-539 BCE the Chaldeans conquered the Assyrians.

2nd Babylonian Empire

After the Chaldeans conquered, they became the Neo(new)-Babylonian. The Hanging Gardens Of Babylon were then built during this time. 539 BCE the Persians then conquered them.

The Persians

An ancient civilization that emerged in what is now Iran. Cyrus the Great ( the founder of the Persian empire) seized Babylon. Cyrus freed the Jewish people from Babylon which allowed them to return to Israel. Darius the Great (the 3rd Persian king) built the city of Persepolis. Allowed them to rebuild the Temple of Solomon. The people were a monotheistic religion called Zoroastrianism. Believed the Afterlife= a good place & a bad place.

Phoenicians

An ancient civilization known for their maritime trade, seafaring, and the development of one of the first alphabets. They established a collection of city-states. About 1100 BC dominated Mediterranean trade. Known for trading a variety of goods including, red-purple dye (from snails), papyrus, wine, weapons, slaves, etc.

The Phoenician Alphabet

An ancient writing system developed by the Phoenicians, considered one of the first alphabets. They needed to record transactions so they created a phonetic alphabet. It consisted of 22 characters representing consonants.

Hebrews

An ancient Semitic-speaking people who are considered the ancestors of the Israelites. They are notable for their religious texts that form the basis of Judaism, including the Torah. The Hebrews are often associated with the land of Canaan (Israel), which is described as their Promised Land in the biblical tradition. They were enslaved in Egypt. Were led by Moses out of Egypt where they spent 40 yrs wandering in the desert. Back in Canaan there was a war over land with the Philistines.