Brief History
- The rise of civilization started more than 12,000 years ago, as early as 7000 BC and ended around 500 BC
- It all started with hunter-gatherer groups first settling in the area of Mesopotamia
- When they first started, the settlements were small villages and these villages formed into the first civilization.
Geography
- The Tigris and Euphrates are the most significant features to Mesopotamia
- Mesopotamia lies between Asia Minor and the Persian Gulf
- The Fertile Crescent is the region part of Mesopotamia
- Northern Mesopotamia was a plateau with mountains on the North and East
- Southern Mesopotamia was a flat plain
Economy
- Trade had a huge impact on the civilization
- They exchanged grain for gold, silver, copper, lumber, and precious stones
- Traded for lots of Lapis
Social Structure
- Sumerian Kings believed that they were chosen by their Gods to rule
- Priests were under Kings
- Below Priests were the craftspeople, merchants, and traders
- Then Farmers and Laborers made up the large working class
- Slaves were at the very bottom of the social order
- Most of the people were farmers
- Famers harvested twice a year, harvesting barley, wheat, etc.
Government
- Lived in City-states
- Amount of farmland controlled by each city-state was determined on the strength of the military
- City-states fought each other to gain more farmland
- Sargon was the first ruler to have a permanent army
Beliefs/Religion
- Believed in polytheism
- Worshipped Enlil (Lord of the Air), Enki (God of Wisdom), and Inanna (Goddess of Love and War)
- Religion played a role in nearly every aspect of life
- Every City-State considered one God as their special protector
- Everyone believed that their success in life depended on pleasing the Gods
Advancements/Achievements
- Some of the Sumerian inventions are used today
- The Sumerians made cuneiform which is the world's first system of writing
- They were the first people to create the wheel, making vehicles out of them, including carts
- Sumerians made advances in math and medicine
Architecture
- Most rulers lived in large palaces
- Rich Sumerians lived in two story rooms, including many rooms
- Most of the people lived in small, one story homes
- City centers had temples and huge ziggurats