MesopotamiaMesopotamia “the land between the rivers” “the land between the rivers”

Key TermsKey Terms

City-state: Each Sumerian city was considered a City-state: Each Sumerian city was considered a state; each state consisted of a city surrounded state; each state consisted of a city surrounded by farm land.by farm land.Ziggurat: Meaning “Mountain of God,” A ziggurat Ziggurat: Meaning “Mountain of God,” A ziggurat was a Sumerian temple.was a Sumerian temple.Cuneiform: Sumerian writing made up of Cuneiform: Sumerian writing made up of markings shaped like wedges.markings shaped like wedges.Priest-kings: Sumerian priests were originally Priest-kings: Sumerian priests were originally kings of their city-state. However, in time, kings of their city-state. However, in time, kingship became hereditary.kingship became hereditary.Empire: Group of states under one ruler.Empire: Group of states under one ruler.Reform: Improvement.Reform: Improvement.

GeographyGeography

About 9,000 years ago, wandering tribes About 9,000 years ago, wandering tribes settled in the river valley between the settled in the river valley between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

This area, also known as the “Fertile This area, also known as the “Fertile Crescent”, is now part of the countries of Crescent”, is now part of the countries of Iraq, Turkey, and Syria.Iraq, Turkey, and Syria.

The northern region was a plateau with a The northern region was a plateau with a mild climate while the southern region had mild climate while the southern region had a hot climatea hot climate

The plains were flooded each year by the two The plains were flooded each year by the two rivers making the soil fertile and creating valuable rivers making the soil fertile and creating valuable farmland. farmland.

SumerSumerSumerian civilization is the oldest known on earth.Sumerian civilization is the oldest known on earth.For the first time, people began to control their For the first time, people began to control their

environment.environment.When the rivers flooded each spring, theyWhen the rivers flooded each spring, they

increased the natural levees to control flooding.increased the natural levees to control flooding.In the summer, they poked holes in the levees, In the summer, they poked holes in the levees,

which created natural canals, which were usedwhich created natural canals, which were used to irrigate their crops.to irrigate their crops.

The Sumerians grew barley, wheat, sesame, flax, fruitThe Sumerians grew barley, wheat, sesame, flax, fruit trees, date palms, and vegetables, and they trees, date palms, and vegetables, and they

domesticated cattle, sheep, goats and pigsdomesticated cattle, sheep, goats and pigs

CitiesCities

Each Sumerian city was a city-state. Each Sumerian city was a city-state.

Houses and public buildings were made of Houses and public buildings were made of bricks made from mud and crushed reeds. bricks made from mud and crushed reeds.

Each city was surrounded by a high wall with a Each city was surrounded by a high wall with a bronze gate, built for protection from invaders.bronze gate, built for protection from invaders.

The cities had narrow winding streets leading The cities had narrow winding streets leading from the gates to the center of the city.from the gates to the center of the city.

At the center of each Sumerian city was a At the center of each Sumerian city was a ziggurat.ziggurat.

Near the center were the houses of the upper class: Near the center were the houses of the upper class: priests and merchants. Houses were two stories and priests and merchants. Houses were two stories and had balconies which looked out over courtyards.had balconies which looked out over courtyards.Behind them were the one-story homes of the middle Behind them were the one-story homes of the middle class: government officials, shopkeepers, artisans. class: government officials, shopkeepers, artisans. These were also built around courtyards.These were also built around courtyards.Farther out were the houses of the lower class: farmers, Farther out were the houses of the lower class: farmers, fishermen, and unskilled workers.fishermen, and unskilled workers.The husband was the head of the household, could sell The husband was the head of the household, could sell or rent his wife and children as slaves for up to three or rent his wife and children as slaves for up to three years, and arranged the marriages of his children.years, and arranged the marriages of his children. Women could buy and sell property, run businesses, Women could buy and sell property, run businesses,

and own and sell slaves.and own and sell slaves.Children were expected to support their parents whenChildren were expected to support their parents when

they became old, and to obey older family members.they became old, and to obey older family members.

City plans for BabylonCity plans for Babylon

““Floor plan” of a cityFloor plan” of a city

Cities were surrounded by walls.Cities were surrounded by walls.

City walls were functional and City walls were functional and decorative….decorative….

Ceremonial or main gateCeremonial or main gate

This is the Ishtar gate of BabylonThis is the Ishtar gate of Babylon

Government Government

They set up governments to organize their system of They set up governments to organize their system of irrigation, to make laws, and to plan cities.irrigation, to make laws, and to plan cities.At first, Sumerian priests were also the kings of the city-At first, Sumerian priests were also the kings of the city-states.states.Sumerian priest-kings received advice from an assembly Sumerian priest-kings received advice from an assembly made up of free men, who would choose a military made up of free men, who would choose a military leader to serve during a war.leader to serve during a war.Eventually, military leaders stayed in charge and Eventually, military leaders stayed in charge and became the kings.became the kings.At the same time, kingship became hereditary. At the same time, kingship became hereditary. Gilgamesh of Uruk was a very famous priest-king. Gilgamesh of Uruk was a very famous priest-king. One tale written about him around 1700 BC is the oldest One tale written about him around 1700 BC is the oldest known story in the world.known story in the world.

Writing Writing

The priests ran schools called “tablet houses”.The priests ran schools called “tablet houses”.Their main purpose was to teach students how to write.Their main purpose was to teach students how to write.They wrote with sharp-ended reeds on clay tablets.They wrote with sharp-ended reeds on clay tablets.Their writing was called “cuneiform” which means Their writing was called “cuneiform” which means

“ “wedge-shaped”.wedge-shaped”.Schools were only for the sons of the rich.Schools were only for the sons of the rich.When a student graduated from school, he became a When a student graduated from school, he became a

scribe and could work for the temple, the palace, the scribe and could work for the temple, the palace, the government, the army, a merchant, or set up his own government, the army, a merchant, or set up his own business as a public writer.business as a public writer.

CuneiformCuneiform

Scribes drew the sign on Scribes drew the sign on soft clay tablets using a soft clay tablets using a pointed tool, probably pointed tool, probably made out of a made out of a reed..

A reed stylus was the A reed stylus was the main writing tool used main writing tool used by Mesopotamian by Mesopotamian scribesscribes

At first they used pictures to represent At first they used pictures to represent objects, then ideas, and later, syllables.objects, then ideas, and later, syllables.

Knowledge of cuneiform was lost Knowledge of cuneiform was lost until AD 1835, when Henry until AD 1835, when Henry Rawlinson, an English army Rawlinson, an English army officer, found some inscriptions on officer, found some inscriptions on a cliff (shown above) at Behistun a cliff (shown above) at Behistun in Persia. Carved in the reign of in Persia. Carved in the reign of King Darius of Persia (522-486 King Darius of Persia (522-486 BC), they consisted of identical BC), they consisted of identical texts in three languages: texts in three languages: Old Old Persian, Babylonian and Persian, Babylonian and ElamiteElamite. After translating the . After translating the Persian, Rawlinson began to Persian, Rawlinson began to decipher the others. By 1851 he decipher the others. By 1851 he could read 200 Babylonian signscould read 200 Babylonian signs

What does it say?What does it say?(part of this says….)(part of this says….)

Sargon, mighty king, king of Agade, am I. Sargon, mighty king, king of Agade, am I. My mother was a high priestess, my father I My mother was a high priestess, my father I knew not; knew not; My father's brothers live in the mountains; My father's brothers live in the mountains; My city is Azupiranu, situated on the banks My city is Azupiranu, situated on the banks of the Euphrates of the Euphrates My mother, the high priestess, conceived My mother, the high priestess, conceived me, in secret she bore me; me, in secret she bore me; She placed me in a basket of rushes, she She placed me in a basket of rushes, she sealed the lid with bitumen; sealed the lid with bitumen; She cast me into the river which did not rise She cast me into the river which did not rise over me; over me; The river bore me up and carried me to The river bore me up and carried me to Aqqi, the water-drawer. Aqqi, the water-drawer. Aqqi, the water-drawer, lifted me out as he Aqqi, the water-drawer, lifted me out as he dipped his bucket; dipped his bucket; Aqqi, the water-drawer, adopted me, Aqqi, the water-drawer, adopted me, brought me up; brought me up; Aqqi, the water-drawer, set me up as his Aqqi, the water-drawer, set me up as his gardener. gardener. As a gardener, Ishtar, loved me; As a gardener, Ishtar, loved me; For 55 years I ruled as king. For 55 years I ruled as king.

Gudea of LagashGudea of Lagash

The inscription extends over part of the right shoulder and onto the left side of The inscription extends over part of the right shoulder and onto the left side of the robe. The upper part, the cartouche, gives the name of the ruler, while the the robe. The upper part, the cartouche, gives the name of the ruler, while the lower, main text speaks of the reasons for the creation of this particular statue. lower, main text speaks of the reasons for the creation of this particular statue. The text translates as follows:The text translates as follows:

Gudea, city ruler of Gudea, city ruler of Lagash, built to Lagash, built to Geshtinanna, the queen Geshtinanna, the queen a-azi-mu-aa-azi-mu-a, the beloved , the beloved wife of Ningishzida, his wife of Ningishzida, his queen, her temple in queen, her temple in Girsu. He created for her Girsu. He created for her [this] statue. "She granted [this] statue. "She granted the prayer," he gave it a the prayer," he gave it a name for her and brought name for her and brought it into her temple. it into her temple.

Cuneiform numbersCuneiform numbers

Cuneiform numbers were written using a combination of two signs: Cuneiform numbers were written using a combination of two signs: a vertical wedge for “1” and a corner wedge for “10”. a vertical wedge for “1” and a corner wedge for “10”.

Remember, their number system was based on 60.Remember, their number system was based on 60.

They also invented decimals and fractions!They also invented decimals and fractions!

60  

50

  

40

  

30

  

20   19      18      17     

16     

15     

14     

13     

12

   

11

  

10

 

9

   

8

   

7

   

6

   

5

   

4

   

3

   

2

  

1

 

Some variants FractionsSome variants Fractions

 

 

for 4

for 7

for 8

1/2

1/3

2/3

5/6

Larger NumbersLarger Numbers

    For writing numbers greater than 60, they just For writing numbers greater than 60, they just repeated the symbols in different columns, just as repeated the symbols in different columns, just as we do, except that where for us a '1' in the 'tens' we do, except that where for us a '1' in the 'tens' column means 10, for the Babylonians a  in the column means 10, for the Babylonians a  in the 'sixties' column meant 60. Each column increased 'sixties' column meant 60. Each column increased the value of the number by a factor of 60, and the the value of the number by a factor of 60, and the Babylonians wrote their numbers with the largest Babylonians wrote their numbers with the largest values to the left, just as we do. Here are some values to the left, just as we do. Here are some examples of larger cuneiform numbers. See if examples of larger cuneiform numbers. See if you can figure out what they represent.you can figure out what they represent.

1,15 75

16,43 1003

44,26,40 160000

Religion Religion

The Sumerians believed that the forces of nature The Sumerians believed that the forces of nature were gods.were gods.They had more than 3000 gods.They had more than 3000 gods. Humans were made from the mud of the rivers Humans were made from the mud of the rivers

to be the servants of the gods.to be the servants of the gods.The goal of each Sumerian was to please the The goal of each Sumerian was to please the

gods so that their crops would grow.gods so that their crops would grow.The priests were very powerful because only The priests were very powerful because only

they knew the will of the gods, and they they knew the will of the gods, and they controlled and administered the land in the controlled and administered the land in the name of the gods.name of the gods.

ZigguratsZiggurats

Ziggurat: Meaning “Mountain of God,” A ziggurat Ziggurat: Meaning “Mountain of God,” A ziggurat was a Sumerian temple.was a Sumerian temple.Each ziggurat was made up of a series of Each ziggurat was made up of a series of square levels, each being smaller than the one square levels, each being smaller than the one below it.below it.Stairways led to the top, which was believed to Stairways led to the top, which was believed to be the home of the city’s chief god.be the home of the city’s chief god.Only priests could enter the home of the god.Only priests could enter the home of the god.Around the ziggurat were the courts where Around the ziggurat were the courts where artisans worked, children went to school, goods artisans worked, children went to school, goods were stored, the poor were fed, and great events were stored, the poor were fed, and great events were celebrated. were celebrated.

ZigguratsZiggurats

Tower of Babel?Tower of Babel?Ziggurat for Marduk Tower of BabelZiggurat for Marduk Tower of Babel

Later EmpiresLater EmpiresAbout 2400 BC, new civilizations began to develop in Mesopotamia as About 2400 BC, new civilizations began to develop in Mesopotamia as

other conquerors moved in.other conquerors moved in.

About 2400 BC, new civilizations began to About 2400 BC, new civilizations began to develop in Mesopotamia as other develop in Mesopotamia as other conquerors moved in.conquerors moved in.

About 2300 BC, Sargon I from About 2300 BC, Sargon I from Akkad in northern Akkad in northern

Mesopotamia moved south and Mesopotamia moved south and began to conquer the city-began to conquer the city-states of Sumer, and then states of Sumer, and then united them with Akkad, united them with Akkad, creating the first empire. He creating the first empire. He extended his empire to include extended his empire to include all of Mesopotamia. Sargon’s all of Mesopotamia. Sargon’s empire lasted for more than 50 empire lasted for more than 50 years, and fell apart shortly years, and fell apart shortly after his death.after his death.

Babylon….Babylon….

……..the city of Hammurabi..the city of Hammurabi

In 1800 BC, people called Amorites entered the river In 1800 BC, people called Amorites entered the river valley and built cities of their own.valley and built cities of their own.

One of these cities was Babylon.One of these cities was Babylon.

The king of Babylon, Hammurabi, conquered Akkad and The king of Babylon, Hammurabi, conquered Akkad and Sumer and created a new empire.Sumer and created a new empire.

His empire extended to the Mediterranean Sea.His empire extended to the Mediterranean Sea.

Babylon became a center of trade – they traded their Babylon became a center of trade – they traded their surplus for gold and silver with countries as far away as surplus for gold and silver with countries as far away as India and China.India and China.

After Hammuarabi’s death, the empire declined and was After Hammuarabi’s death, the empire declined and was again divided into city-states.again divided into city-states.

The Code of HammurabiThe Code of Hammurabi

Hammurabi is best known for Hammurabi is best known for his Code of Lawhis Code of LawHe took the best laws from the He took the best laws from the codes of the various city-states codes of the various city-states and created one code which and created one code which everyone in the empire was to everyone in the empire was to live by.live by.He appointed royal judges to He appointed royal judges to make sure his laws were make sure his laws were carried out justly.carried out justly.Written on a large slab of Written on a large slab of stone, the code explained stone, the code explained specific crimes andspecific crimes andtheir required punishmentstheir required punishments

His code covered almost everything in daily lifeHis code covered almost everything in daily life

282 laws in all282 laws in allPunishments ranged from fines to death... there Punishments ranged from fines to death... there were no prisonswere no prisonsMost were “Eye for an eye” and included death, Most were “Eye for an eye” and included death, disfigurement, and torturedisfigurement, and tortureThe upper-class were punished more severely The upper-class were punished more severely than middle/lower classes.than middle/lower classes. A person was innocent until proven guiltyA person was innocent until proven guilty One of the goals was that the strong may not One of the goals was that the strong may not

oppress the weak.oppress the weak.

Some examples……Some examples……

1 1  If any one ensnare another, putting a ban upon him, but he can not  If any one ensnare another, putting a ban upon him, but he can not prove it, then he that ensnared him shall be put to death. prove it, then he that ensnared him shall be put to death.

66  If any one steal the property of a temple or of the court, he shall be   If any one steal the property of a temple or of the court, he shall be put to death, and also the one who receives the stolen thing from put to death, and also the one who receives the stolen thing from him shall be put to death. him shall be put to death.

88 If any one steal cattle or sheep, or an ass, or a pig or a goat, if it If any one steal cattle or sheep, or an ass, or a pig or a goat, if it belong to a god or to the court, the thief shall pay thirtyfold; if they belong to a god or to the court, the thief shall pay thirtyfold; if they belonged to a freed man of the king he shall pay tenfold; if the thief belonged to a freed man of the king he shall pay tenfold; if the thief has nothing with which to pay he shall be put to death. has nothing with which to pay he shall be put to death.

2525 If fire break out in a house, and some one who comes to put it out  If fire break out in a house, and some one who comes to put it out cast his eye upon the property of the owner of the house, and take cast his eye upon the property of the owner of the house, and take the property of the master of the house, he shall be thrown into that the property of the master of the house, he shall be thrown into that self-same fire. self-same fire.

5353  If any one be too lazy to keep his dam in proper condition, and   If any one be too lazy to keep his dam in proper condition, and does not so keep it; if then the dam break and all the fields be does not so keep it; if then the dam break and all the fields be flooded, then shall he in whose dam the break occurred be sold for flooded, then shall he in whose dam the break occurred be sold for money, and the money shall replace the corn which he has caused money, and the money shall replace the corn which he has caused to be ruined. to be ruined.

54 54 If he be not able to replace the corn, then he and his possessions If he be not able to replace the corn, then he and his possessions shall be divided among the farmers whose corn he has flooded. shall be divided among the farmers whose corn he has flooded.

55 55 If any one open his ditches to water his crop, but is careless, and If any one open his ditches to water his crop, but is careless, and the water flood the field of his neighbor, then he shall pay his the water flood the field of his neighbor, then he shall pay his neighbor corn for his loss. neighbor corn for his loss.

5656 If a man let in the water, and the water overflow the plantation of his  If a man let in the water, and the water overflow the plantation of his neighbor, he shall pay ten gur of corn for every ten gan of land. neighbor, he shall pay ten gur of corn for every ten gan of land.

196 196 If a (noble) man put out the eye of another (noble) man, his eye shall If a (noble) man put out the eye of another (noble) man, his eye shall be put out. [ An eye for an eye ] be put out. [ An eye for an eye ] 197 197 If he break another (noble) man's bone, his bone shall be broken. If he break another (noble) man's bone, his bone shall be broken. 198 198  If he put out the eye of a freed man, or break the bone of a freed  If he put out the eye of a freed man, or break the bone of a freed man, he shall pay one gold mina. man, he shall pay one gold mina. 199 199 If he put out the eye of a man's slave, or break the bone of a man's If he put out the eye of a man's slave, or break the bone of a man's slave, he shall pay one-half of its value. slave, he shall pay one-half of its value. 200200  If a man knock out the teeth of his equal, his teeth shall be knocked   If a man knock out the teeth of his equal, his teeth shall be knocked out. [ A tooth for a tooth ] out. [ A tooth for a tooth ] 201 201  If he knock out the teeth of a freed man, he shall pay one-third of a If he knock out the teeth of a freed man, he shall pay one-third of a gold mina. gold mina. 202 202  If any one strike the body of a man higher in rank than he, he shall  If any one strike the body of a man higher in rank than he, he shall receive sixty blows with an ox-whip in public. receive sixty blows with an ox-whip in public. 203 203  If a free-born man strike the body of another free-born man or equal  If a free-born man strike the body of another free-born man or equal rank, he shall pay one gold mina. rank, he shall pay one gold mina. 209 209 If a man strike a free-born woman so that she lose her unborn child,If a man strike a free-born woman so that she lose her unborn child, he shallpay ten shekels for her loss. he shallpay ten shekels for her loss. 210 210  If the woman die, his daughter shall be put to death.  If the woman die, his daughter shall be put to death.

195 195 If a son strike his father, his hands shall be hewn off. If a son strike his father, his hands shall be hewn off.

110 If a “sister of a god” (nun) open a tavern, or enter a tavern to drink, 110 If a “sister of a god” (nun) open a tavern, or enter a tavern to drink, then this woman be burned to death.then this woman be burned to death.

229  If a builder build a house for some one, and does not construct it 229  If a builder build a house for some one, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built fall in and kill its owner, properly, and the house which he built fall in and kill its owner, then that builder shall be put to death. then that builder shall be put to death.

230 If it kill the son of the owner the son of that builder shall be put to 230 If it kill the son of the owner the son of that builder shall be put to death.death.

231   If it kill a slave of the owner, then he shall pay slave for slave to 231   If it kill a slave of the owner, then he shall pay slave for slave to the owner of the house. the owner of the house.

232 If it ruin goods, he shall make compensation for all that has been 232 If it ruin goods, he shall make compensation for all that has been ruined, and inasmuch as he did not construct properly this house ruined, and inasmuch as he did not construct properly this house which he built and it fell, he shall re-erect the house from his own which he built and it fell, he shall re-erect the house from his own means. means.

ContributionsContributions

Mesopotamia is known as the “cradle of civilization”Mesopotamia is known as the “cradle of civilization” Sumerian civilization is the oldest known on Earth.Sumerian civilization is the oldest known on Earth. The oldest written records known are Sumerian, and The oldest written records known are Sumerian, and

cuneiform became the model for other people’s writing cuneiform became the model for other people’s writing systems. systems.

The Sumerians were the first to write down their lawsThe Sumerians were the first to write down their laws They invented the wheel, the plow, sailboat, chisel, They invented the wheel, the plow, sailboat, chisel,

saw, lever, pulley.saw, lever, pulley.

They developed a number system based on 60 (60 sec. They developed a number system based on 60 (60 sec. minute/60 min. hour/360 degree circle)minute/60 min. hour/360 degree circle)

They developed a decimal system.They developed a decimal system.