Civilization in Mesopotamia

1
Civilization in Mesopotamia

• By Mr. Fitz

2
New Inventions

• Irrigation
• Canals, aqueducts, reservoirs, dikes,
• gates
• Wheel wheeled cart
• First sailboats

3
Architecture and Religious Beliefs

• Ziggurat Largest building in Sumerian city (mud
  brick temple)
• Shrine for each citys special god on top.
• Gods of wind, sun, salt water, fresh water,
  earth.
• If pleased godsgood harvest
• Natural disastersgods were angry

4
The 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
• MonarchyOne person has authority
• Rulers were thought to have great strength,
  because were chosen by the gods. (Gilgamesh)

5
Changing Economies

• Sumerian Farms grew a surplus of crops.
• Since everyone did not have to farm for food,
  Sumerians developed Division of Laborcraft
  workers in stone, clay, cloth, leather, metal.
• Managers and Merchants
• Traded throughout the Fertile Crescent

6
Divisions in Society

• Social Classes based on levels of importance
• Kings and Priests (most important)
• Scribes
• Managers, merchants, craft workers
• Farmers and Fisherman
• Slaves (usually prisoners of war-lowest on the
  scale)
• Men had more authority, although Women did hold
  leadership positions

7
Innovations

• 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.