Mesopotamia

Levant

the east coast of the Mediterranean

Mesopotamia

= “land between the rivers” It developed along the Tigris and

Euphrates Rivers. First civilization developed in the area Fertile Crescent. A powerful city-state

in Sumeria was Ur. This is an example of geographic location.

origins of sumer

The origin of the Sumerian people and their language is unknown. Theories include movement from the Indus River Valley.

The Sumerian language is not related to Semitic or Indo-European languages.

Semitic language

group of related languages that include akkadian, arabic, hebrew- originated in the Arabian peninsula around 2500 B.C., it spread by people migrated to the mediterannean coast toth ennile delta

Indo-European language group

a family of languages that descended from a single unknown language in the Caucasus region about 5000 years ago north of the black sea carried by migrating tribes, to Europe and Asia and became the basis of all the European languages.

SUMERIAN DEVELOPMENTS:

A. Sedentary agriculture = planting and harvesting.

B. Special occupation = specific jobs in the civilization such priests, farmers, builders,

etc.

C. Original religion: introduction of polytheism and worship of multiple gods.

D. Organized government. Form of government is a theocracy meaning ruled by

religious leaders.

E. Other new technology such as the wheel.

F. Monumental construction: ziggurat = Structure composed of step like terraces.

Literally a flat topped temple.

G. System of counting-the Mesopotamian system of counting by base 60 = sexagesimal

system

H. 3200 BC: Development of cuneiform begins. One of the earliest forms of writing.

Wedge shaped writing that is a system of pictographs. Symbols represent complicated

thoughts.

I. The Epic of Gilgamesh was written in cuneiform. Considered first epic writing

around 2700 BCE. Gilgamesh was a ruler of Uruk. Story centers on his search for

eternal life. 1 chapter similar to the story of Noah (Utnapishtim).

J. This period is known as protoliterate.

Sedentary agriculture

planting and harvesting.

Special occupation

= specific jobs in the civilization such priests, farmers, builders,

etc.

Original religion:

introduction of polytheism and worship of multiple gods.

Ziggurat

The Ziggurat is the center of the Sumerian society, go to pay taxes Structure composed of step like terraces. Literally a flat topped temple.

lugals

initially meant important man, large land owning man, they established the to class, nobels, eventually became kings after becoming very rich and powerful later means king

ensi

high priest and governor, the leader of the sumeria, is always a man

System of counting

the Mesopotamian system of counting by base 60 = sexagesimal

system

3200 BC: Development of cuneiform begins

One of the earliest forms of writing.

Wedge shaped writing that is a system of pictographs. Symbols represent complicated

thoughts.

What is protoliterate?

the time period that follows the creation of writing, the period in which knowledge and technology exploded

Were there other civilizations that emerged in the fertile crescent region?

After the Sumerians other civilizations began to emerge in the Fertile Crescent region.

Scribes in sumer

were very important valued because they were the only people who could write and translate cuneiform

Epic of gilgamesh

written in cuneiform. Considered first epic writing around 2700 BCE. Gilgamesh was a ruler of Uruk. Story centers on his search for eternal life. 1 chapter similar to the story of Noah (Utnapishtim)

Akkadians: Sargon the Great (C. 2300)

Ruler of Akkad. Created the first empire known to

history. Invaded and captured Sumer conquering the last Sumerian king Lugal-zagesi. Various

legends about his origins. 1 story says he was the previous king’s cupbearer and the son of a

gardener and that he usurped the throne. The other version says his mother was a priestess who

gave birth in secret and floated him in a reed basket down the river until he was found by a

goddess who raised him.

Empire reached its height under his grandson Naram-Sin. Declined and fell after his death.

Babylonians: King Hammurabi-

(Babylon c. 1790 to c. 1752) Developed Hammurabi’s Code,

the first written code of law. Based on the eye for an eye principle!

Other accomplishments: improved irrigation, improved army, and repaired temples. Empire

collapsed almost immediately after his death.