Ancient Mesopotamia

Global History I: Adamiak

Geography

• Mesopotamia “The Land Between Two Rivers”– Which two rivers?

Tigris and the Euphrates

– Part of a larger area known as the Fertile Crescent

Geography

• Flooding– Tigris and Euphrates commonly flooded and

wiped away settlements– The two rivers were unpredictable in their

flooding• People banded together to build canals and dikes• Moved settlements to uphill areas

DocumentEnhanced state power and new military and religious claims resulted in part from invasions, which generated…new defense needs, and new resources for war chiefs. The Mesopotamian kings were military leaders. The flat but fertile land, with no natural protective barriers, opened Mesopotamia to nomadic invaders whose recurrent [frequent] incursions [attacks] made it imperative for the rise of military men as state leaders to defend the land. As wars, defense, and conquests won them power, recognition, and gratitude, their positions became hereditary.

Source: Experiencing World History. Paul V. Adams et. al

How did one rise to king in Mesopotamia?

What perks did kings receive for their efforts?

Geography

• Lack of natural barriers– Mesopotamia is not enclosed by mountains or

jungles• Easy access for invaders and conquerors • Mesopotamia becomes the crossroads of the

ancient world• Conquerors and conquered mingle and shared

ideas and customs• Cultural Diffusion the spreading of new ideas or

products from one culture to another

Government

• Sumer: First Major Mesopotamian Civilization– Sumer was not a centralized empire, but a

collection of wide spread city-states• Uruk, Ur, Lagash, Nippur, Akkad, Eridu

– United under Sargon the Great• City-states still warred over water and food

supplies

Government

• Sargon the Great– The Legend

• His mother placed him in a reed basket and sent him down the Euphrates (Sound familiar?)

• A farmer found him and raised him

• Becomes kings cupbearer (most trusted servant)

• Overthrows the king and unites Sumerian city-states

• Establishes the Akkadian Empire (c. 2300 BCE – 2100 BCE

Government

• The Babylonians (C. 1800 BCE - 1500 BCE)– The Babylonians were the next major empire to

control Mesopotamia– Babylon was the economic center of

Mesopotamia– Achievements

• Gate of Ishtar• Number system based on 60 (hours/minutes/seconds)• Figured out the solar year of 365 ¼ days

Gate of Ishtar

Ziggurat of Marduk

Why does the size of the ziggurat suggest about the role of religion in Sumer?

Religion

• In Mesopotamia, religion and politics were intertwined; no separation– Kings were also the chief priest & considered semi-divine

• Center of activity revolved around the ziggurat– Ziggurat step-like pyramids; part of Sumerian temple– Education, trade, religious ceremonies, the mandating of

laws

• While the various city-states of Sumer had shared deities, each city-state worshipped a unique god

Document

Hence a key cultural and public-works function of the Mesopotamian state was to organize the design and labor for building magnificent new ziggurats, an act that was supposed to enhance the well-being of the ruler and the people alike. In this way, political power received religious sanction and the state promoted the faith. Religion was a powerful influence, and the state wanted to assure that it operated under its direction and for its benefit.

Source: Experiencing World History. Paul V. Adams et. al

Why did the state [government] want to be intertwined/closely connected to religion?

Why were magnificent ziggurats built?

Practice Multiple ChoiceWhat does the prominence of the ziggurat What does the prominence of the ziggurat suggest about the Sumerians?suggest about the Sumerians?

1.1.Religion was integral part to the economic, Religion was integral part to the economic, political, and social aspects of daily lifepolitical, and social aspects of daily life2.2.The Sumerians had the most sophisticated The Sumerians had the most sophisticated architecture in the worldarchitecture in the world3.3.The Sumerians depended on long distance The Sumerians depended on long distance trade as a source of wealthtrade as a source of wealth4.4.Rulers were given divine status in the city-Rulers were given divine status in the city-state state