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CH 4: Mesopotamia Lesson 1
World History
Mr. Rich
Miami Arts Charter
Lesson 1: The Sumerians
} Mesopotamia (Geography) } Located in the Middle East
(Southwest Asia)
} Inside of the Fertile Crescent } - Rich farmland that reached
from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf
} The name means: “Between the Rivers” } Located between the Tigris and
Euphrates Rivers
Lesson 1: The Sumerians
} Wild Rivers } The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers flooded unpredictably
} Destroyed homes and farms
} It fertilized farmland by spreading silt
} Sumerians built dams and canals to control floods
} They increased their food supply through irrigation (ditches that brought fresh water to dry fields)
} More food = more people = cities!
Old McDonald had a farm…
Lesson 1: The Sumerians
} Sumerian Civilizations } By 3000 B.C. several city-states had been built (Ur, Uruk, Eridu) } Each city-state was a separate and independent place.
Uruk is the best!
You fool! Eridu is way better!
} Sumer’s Civilization } City’s had large mud-brick walls built around the entire city } Cities fought wars with each other over land and resources
} Sumer’s Religion
} It was a Polytheistic religion – they worshipped many gods } The priests were the most powerful people in the city-states } Later kings ruled the city-states with the support of the priests
Lesson 1: The Sumerians
} Sumer’s Religion } Ziggurat – Large temple
} Looked like a step-pyramid
} Each Sumerian city had at least one
} Only the high priest could go into the very top (the home of the god)
Lesson 1: Sumerians
Lesson 1: The Sumerians
} Some zigurrat ruins still exist today } This one is near the ancient city of Ur in the modern-day
country of Iraq.
} Sumerian Society } Social classes were based on jobs.
} 1. Kings and Priests } 2. Middle Class (merchants, artisans) } 3. Farmers } 4. Slaves
Lesson 1: The Sumerians
Quiet, slave!
Why do I do all of the hard work?
} Sumer’s Contributions } Cuneiform
} First written language (this powerpoint wouldn’t be possible without writing)
} Early versions (on the left) had pictographs (pictures for words)
} Later versions (on the right) used wedge shaped marks and scratches
} Only boys from very wealthy families studied how to read and write
Lesson 1: The Sumerians
} Sumer’s Contributions } Cuneiform
} Written down using a sharp reed to carve letters into a handheld clay tablet.
Lesson 1: The Sumerians
• Seriously, this is where the word “tablet” comes from
Lesson 1: The Sumerians } Sumer’s Contributions
} The Wheel } Allowed people to make carts
to easily transport goods over greater distances
} Led to the first chariots } Could also be used to make
pottery
Review Questions: answer in your notes 1. What allowed the Sumerians to build some of the first cities?
2. Why would the development of writing be important to a civilization?
3. What does the word “polytheistic” mean?
4. What do you think makes the Sumerians a civilization?
