1.2 PRES Early Cities and Mesopotamia COMPRESSED

Early Cities and Mesopotamia

Overview

• Focus on first urban settlements in Mesopotamia, particularly the Fertile Crescent.

• Various cities experienced growth due to trade and agricultural surplus.

Key Concepts

• Impact of trade on city development and structure.

• Importance of irrigation for sustaining cities and agriculture.

Historical Context

Neolithic Era

• Transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled agricultural communities around 6000 BCE.

Innovations

• Development of tools and techniques improved hunting and farming.

• Emergence of comparative advantage in cities for trading goods, adapting to societal needs over time.

City Formation and Infrastructure

Trade Centers

• Surplus goods led to trade centers, which anchored city growth around 3500 BCE.

• Both local and regional trade networks formed, driving economic stability and cultural exchanges.

Governance

• Necessity for governance arose from growing trade complexities and societal needs.

• Code of Hammurabi established to maintain order and regulate commerce.

Urban Design

City Walls and Gates

• Walled cities for defense, controlling trade, and protecting from flooding.

• Gates functioned as checkpoints to monitor goods and people entering or leaving.

Street Planning

• Use of a grid pattern for city design, influencing urban planning throughout history.

• Diverse road systems facilitated trade and transport.

Water Management

Irrigation Systems

• Advances in irrigation techniques allowed expansion away from riverbanks.

• Community responsibility for maintaining irrigation systems.

Water Supply

• Essential for survival; reliance on clean, fresh water through wells and canals.

Social Structure

Residential Areas

• Houses built from mud brick, varying in size and luxury depending on wealth.

• Districts categorized based on function: residential, commercial, civic.

Temples and Governance

• Temples served both as religious and administrative centers.

• Leaders held authority derived from being seen as chosen by the gods.

Cultural Development

Ziggurats

• Stepped temples signifying religious and cultural importance, serving as the highest point in cities.

• Reflects the amalgamation of religious and architectural advancements.

Conclusion

• Urbanization in Mesopotamia characterized by innovation, trade, and governance.

• Continued evolution through socio-economic necessities and cultural exchanges.