Civilization in Civilization in MesopotamiaMesopotamia

By Mr. FitzBy Mr. Fitz

New InventionsNew Inventions

• Irrigation

* Canals, aqueducts, reservoirs, dikes,

gates

• Wheel – wheeled cart

• First sailboats

Architecture and Religious BeliefsArchitecture and Religious Beliefs

• Ziggurat – Largest building in Sumerian city (mud brick temple)

• Shrine for each city’s special god on top.

• Gods of wind, sun, salt water, fresh water, earth.

• If pleased gods=good harvest

• Natural disasters=gods were angry

The Role of GovernmentThe Role of Government

• Laws are needed to keep order when many people live together.

• Government = organized system that groups use to make laws and decisions.

• Each city-state had its own leaders• City-states went to war with each other and

outsiders• Monarchy=One person has authority• Rulers were thought to have great strength,

because were “chosen by the gods.” (Gilgamesh)

Changing EconomiesChanging Economies

• Sumerian Farms grew a surplus of crops.

• Since everyone did not have to farm for food, Sumerians developed Division of Labor=craft workers in stone, clay, cloth, leather, metal.

• Managers and Merchants

• Traded throughout the Fertile Crescent

Divisions in SocietyDivisions in Society

• Social Classes based on levels of importance

1) Kings and Priests (most important)

2) Scribes

3) Managers, merchants, craft workers

4) Farmers and Fisherman

5) Slaves (usually prisoners of war-lowest on the scale)

6) Men had more authority, although Women did hold leadership positions

InnovationsInnovations

• New ways of doing things

• Need to measure land – “Iku” or Acre

• Need to measure crops – “Quart”

• Need to carry/trade goods – sail and cargo boats.

• Need for records – writing “Cuneiform” – complete system by 2000 BCE on clay tablets with reeds.