The Ancient Middle East-4500BC-331BC

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The Ancient Middle East-4500BC-331BC
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Fertile Crescent

• An area that stretches in a large arc from the
  Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea.
• The word Mesopotamia means "The land between two
  rivers."
• Named for the regions fertile soil and crescent
  shape.
• Located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

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Cross Roads of the World

• Connects the land routes for 3 continents
  Africa, Asia and Europe.

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Problems in Mesopotamia

• No one culture controlled area (War)
• Unpredictable floods (draught or damage)
• Few Natural Resources for building a civilization
  
• Few natural barriers to protect from invasion.
  (The area was frequently overrun by invaders.)

HERODOTUS (484?-425? BC) World Map
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Sumerians 4000BC-2350 BC

• First Civilization
• 1. City-State-a large town or city and the
  surrounding countryside cooperating as its own
  nation
• A. Constantly at war with each other
• 2. Empire Many city-states and cultures
  conquered and controlled by one ruler

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Sumerian Government

• Theocracy
• Priests ruled because they could control the gods
• Dynasty
• Military leaders were often given power during
  time of war
• Eventually, they would replace priests and pass
  their power onto their own heirs, creating a
  dynasty

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Sumerian Religion

• 2. Ziggurat- the home or temple of the god of the
  city, believed to be a ladder to the heavens
• Polytheism
• Gods and goddesses ruled the earth and determined
  the fate of individuals and cities
• Sumerians feared their gods
• Gods sent floods or famine

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Sumerian Language

• 3. Cuneiform- system of writing using wedge-like
  shapes
• First language that moves away from the use of
  pictograms
• Scribes wrote down laws, treaties, business
  transactions and religious texts
• Schools were set up for boys

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Sumerian Accomplishments

• Cultural Diffusion process in which a new idea
  or product spreads from one culture to another
• First people know to use the wheel, arches, ramp
  and inclined walks
• Developed a 12 month calendar
• Arithmetic based on the number 60, seconds,
  minutes and 360 degrees in a circle

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Back
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Herodotus World Map
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Civilization in Mesopotamia

• Read the short article
• Complete the graphic organizer on the back with a
  partner