Early River Civilizations Mesopotamia and the Sumerians

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Early River CivilizationsMesopotamia and the
Sumerians

• World History
• Pullen

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Mesopotamia- The land between the rivers

• The Tigris Euphrates Rivers
• Fertile soil
• Good weather
• The Zagros and Taurus Mountains, Syrian Desert,
  Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
• Natural barriers to keep out intruders
• Today this area is modern day Iraq, parts of
  Turkey, and parts of Syria

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Mesopotamia- Map
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Mesopotamia- Map (current day)
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Mesopotamia Sumer

• Sumer included the cities of Ur and Kish
• The city state of Sumer grew as more people began
  to settle in the fertile areas.
• Population grew along the rivers.
• The growth of the population encouraged new
  technology
• Irrigation
• Development of artificial lakes and ponds
• Why?!?

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Irrigation

• Irrigation is the method of getting water to
  specific areas of farmland through drainage pipes
  or ditches.
• An irrigated field

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Mesopotamia Division of Labor and Economy

• Everyone had a job in Sumeria
• Examples bricklayers, canal builders, butchers,
  artists
• Barter!
• Barter is the exchange of surplus food items for
  materials that are needed.
• Why dont we use barter today?

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Early Governments

• No central power control. No boundaries. Each
  city is independent.
• Church ruled through priests.
• Government leaders in charge of irrigation
  systems of canals as well as work crews,
  appointed inspectors, and settled arguments.
• Surplus of grain kept in temples.
• Collection of taxes - grain, animals, farm
  products.
• Prayed, made sacrifices to please the gods.
• Spent lives serving the gods.

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Sumerian Contributions The first kings

• Military leaders became kings. Why?
• Conflict was over land boundaries and use of
  water.
• Defended the cities against invaders
• Managed irrigation works, surplus grain, chief
  judge in all arguments.
• Kingship came down from heaven.
• Important task Oversee the building and repair
  of temples. Ziggurats.

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Sumerian Contributions Religion

• Polytheism Believed in many gods, who
  controlled everything in the peoples lives.
• Gods were immortal and all powerful.
• Believed gods would protect them as the people
  served them.
• Each city had its own god. Why?

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People of Sumeria

• Social Classes (3)
• Highest class included King, government
  officials, priests, wealthy merchants and
  landowners.
• Middle class included Farmers, fishermen,
  artisans
• Lowest class included slaves, prisoners, people
  who did not own land and children