Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia

By Andrew Stangl

Mesopotamia

Means the land between the rivers. Located at the eastern end of the Fertile Crescent. Contained Rich soil and abundant crops allowed the land to sustain an early civilization. Little rain but the soil was enriched with silt; unpredictable flooding.

Fertile Crescent

An arc of land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian gulf with rich soil and abundant crops. Ideal conditions to sustain an early civilization.

Sumerians They were the creators of the first Mesopotamian

civilization.

Polytheistic

A religion in which people believe in many gods. Was the religion of the Mesopotamians. The Mesopotamians worshiped nearly three thousand gods and goddesses.

City-states

Was the basic units of Sumerian civilization. Formed in southern Mesopotamia by cities including Eridu, Ur, and Uruk that gained political and economic control over the surrounding country side.

Uruk

Was a city by 3000 B.C.; Located in southern Mesopotamia formed into a city state

Ziggurat

A massive stepped tower that had a temple built a top. Were built by the Sumerians.

Theocracy

Was a government by divine authority. The Sumerians believed that the state was ruled by gods making them a theocracy.

Cuneiform

Created by the Sumerians around 3000 B.C.. Was a system of writing using a reed stylus, they made wedge-shaped impressions on clay tablets which were then backed or dried in the sun. They lasted a long time.

GiligemeshWas an epic poem that records the exploits of

legendary king named Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh the king a wise, strong, and perfect in body. He is part man and part god.

Scribe

The scribe were members of the learned class who served as copyists, teachers, and jurists. Being a scribe was the key to a successful career. People who began their career as scribes came to hold the most important positions in Sumerians society.

Akkadians

A group of people north of the Sumerian city states who spoke a Semitic language. The Akkadians overran the Sumerian city-states about 2340 B.C and set up the first empire in world history.

Sargon

Was the leader of the Akkadians, he overran the sumerian city- states and set up the first empire.

Empire

Is a large political unit or state, usually under a single leader, that controls many people or territories. The first empire was ruled by Sargon.

Babylon

Was a city-state south of Akkad that was ruled by Hammurabi

Hammurabi

Came to power in Babylon which was south of Akkad. In his life time he gained control of Sumer and Akkad Creating a new Mesopotamian kingdom. He died in 1750 B.C.

Patriarchal

Was a word that means men dominated the society. Women had far fewer rights in marriage than did men in these societies. Mesopotamia was one of these societies