Mesopotamia Civilization

(1)

ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA

(MODERN IRAQ)

(2)

(3)

Introduction: Origin & Development

•

Mesopotami

Mesopotamia-Greek

a-Greek word

word meaning

meaning::

–

The flat land between two rivers (Tigris

& Euphrates)

–

Also

means

‘Fertile

Crescent’

(traditional Garden of Eden)

–

– Initially Initially inhabited inhabited by by nomads- nomads- SemiticSemitic

language

language Family Family (Hebrew (Hebrew & & Arabs)Arabs)

–

– Late became builders & Farmers in the SouthLate became builders & Farmers in the South –

– Civilization begun 3500BC in the cities of Civilization begun 3500BC in the cities of

Sumer, Kish, Ur, Nippur, Uruk & Umma Sumer, Kish, Ur, Nippur, Uruk & Umma

(4)

Geography:

•

Land:

–

Steep and difficult with temp raising to

38 in summer and rainfall low- 10inches

–

Rain unpredictable

•

Spring- rivers flooded the valley

–

– Rain re news soil fertilityRain re news soil fertility –

– Snow melt, not rain (little vs. lots of snow,Snow melt, not rain (little vs. lots of snow,

fast melt vs. slow melt) fast melt vs. slow melt)

– –

(5)

Economic life:

•

Crops grown: wheat, barley, vegetables-

Crops grown: wheat, barley,

vegetables-onions, leeks, & dates

onions, leeks, & dates

•

Animals reared: Donkeys, cows, goats,

pigs & sheep

•

Surplus produces allowed Sumerians to

result to other activities. Resulting to:

•

• Production of bricksProduction of bricks •

• Invention of potter wheelInvention of potter wheel •

• PotteryPottery •

(6)

Challenges:

•

Control of flooded rivers

•

Keeping up a stable irrigation system

•

(7)

Socio-political system/Government



Each Sumerian city was independent of othersEach Sumerian city was independent of others



Characterized war-Characterized

war-Cities emerged same time & overlapped with

Cities emerged same time & overlapped with

time

Rivalry- land, water & trade, mainly land &

water



 Leader- Highest priest (priest-king)- theocraticLeader- Highest priest (priest-king)- theocratic



Priests had supreme authority-Priests had supreme

authority-Sumerians believed that the land & city-state

Sumerians believed that the land & city-state

was owned by gods and priests ruled on behalf

of the gods

(8)

Social Structure



 Based on level of dependency & freedomBased on level of dependency & freedom

enjoyed



Nobles (Kings, Priests, Palace officials) Nobles (Kings, Priests, Palace officials)

Commoners (Free Citizens) Protected by law Commoners (Free Citizens) Protected by law

Free Clients (D

Free Clients (Dependentependent on the Nobility

on the Nobility

Slaves (Foreigners, prisoners Slaves (Foreigners, prisoners

of wars of wars

criminals, debtors) criminals, debtors)

(9)

Social System Cont’d…..



Women protected by dowryWomen protected by dowry



Men had absolute powerMen had absolute power



 _{sickness- caused by magic & evil spirits}_{sickness- caused by magic & evil spirits}



Education:Education:



Only the rich kids went Only the rich kids went to school particularly the boysto school particularly the boys



Maths, Botany, linguistics & writingMaths, Botany, linguistics & writing



 Religion:Religion:



_{Polytheist society- divided among functions tried to}_{Polytheist society- divided among functions tried to} control the earth

control the earth



 rain, sun, storms, water, wisdomrain, sun, storms, water, wisdom



(10)

Ziggurat-Cont’d……

Cont’d……

Desert Desert Feudalism system: Feudalism system: Petty-statism: Petty-statism: Polarization: Polarization:

(11)

(12)

Political Organizations:



_{Two main political settings:}



_{Confederate city-state}



_{Initially organized as city-state}



_{Loose confederate city/states – 100}

square



_Empire



Emerges when people are conquered & areEmerges when people are conquered & are

absorbed into a larger political system

absorbed into a larger political system 

(13)

Political

Political Organizati

Organizations:

ons:



_{Famous Kings:}

Sumerian Empire – Lugal Zagge

Akkadian - Sargon Akkad

Guti – Ur- Nammu

Old Babylon Empire- Hammurabi

Assyrian

Persian Empire unit- Satrapy or Province

(14)

Genesis of Civilization:

Started by Sumerian who settled on the lower

Tigris-Euphrates

Created a form of writing Cuneiform

Development of dykes, canals & irrigation ditches

irrigation

First to use fertilizer & invent glass

Use of silver as a means of exchange

Invent the wheel, cart & carriage

Formulated laws- based on ‘tit for tat’ or lex

talionis

Believed in Heroism- example of Hero

stories-Gilgameshas- recorded in Epic of Gilgamesh

(15)

Akkadian

Akkadian -

- Sargon

Sargon (2300-2200)

(2300-2200)::



 Overthrew Sumerian govtOverthrew Sumerian govt



 Retained social & administrative systems of Retained social & administrative systems of

Sumerian



 Characterized by invasion of foreign landsCharacterized by invasion of foreign lands



 Authoritarian regime-Authoritarian

regime-

(16)

Guti Empire:



 Nomad community from Zagros mountainsNomad community from Zagros mountains



 Destroyed urban set up & imposed militaristicDestroyed urban set up & imposed militaristic

system



 Features:Features:



 _{Decline in trade}_{Decline in trade}



Anarchy as result of military coups & counterAnarchy as result of military coups & counter

coups



_{Only one successful king- Ur-Nammu (2113-}_{Only one successful king- Ur-Nammu} (2113-2000)

2000)



 Collapse of the empire attributed to foreignCollapse of the empire attributed to foreign

attacks & division of the country by two powers

(17)

Amorites

Amorites (Old-Babyloni

(Old-Babylonian)-

an)-

 Hammurabi Hammurabi (1792-1750(1792-1750))



 Systematized law (Hammurabi code)Systematized law (Hammurabi code)



 Composed of 300 laws set in a public placeComposed of 300 laws set in a public place



 _{Royal taxation}_{Royal taxation}



 Compulsory military servicesCompulsory military services



 Treason & sedition – serious offenseTreason & sedition – serious offense



 Protected women & children- dowry property of Protected women & children- dowry property of

the women



(18)

Amorites

Amorites (Old-Babyloni

(Old-Babylonian)-

an)-



_{Just society}



 _{Economy of willing buyer & seller}_{Economy of willing buyer & seller}



 Law of partnership, title deeds, wills &Law of partnership, title deeds, wills &

interest



 Encouraged working on farms to ensure self-Encouraged working on farms to ensure

self-sufficiency

(19)

Assyrians

Assyrians -

- King

King Sennacherib

Sennacherib



 Brutal & militaristic people- destroyed ratherBrutal & militaristic people- destroyed rather

than built



 Methods used to establish govt were ruthless-Methods used to establish govt were

ruthless-instill fear & obedience

instill fear & obedience



 Building constructedBuilding constructed



 _{Administrative & military center for population}_{Administrative & military center for population} control to minimize rebellion

control to minimize rebellion



(20)

Assyrians

Assyrians -

- King

King Sennacherib

Sennacherib



 Characteristics:Characteristics:



 _{Commerce & industry not promoted- lowered}_{Commerce & industry not promoted- lowered} dignity of soldiers

dignity of soldiers



 Agriculture main stayAgriculture main stay



 Trade was for non-AssyriansTrade was for non-Assyrians



 Intellectual contributions- military & healthIntellectual contributions- military & health

provision for military



(21)

Chaldean/Ne

Chaldean/Neo-Babylonian

o-Babylonian Resurgence

Resurgence



 King Nebuchadnezzar (Medes- Iran)King Nebuchadnezzar (Medes- Iran)



 _{Astrologers- divided the sky into 12 parts}_{Astrologers- divided the sky into 12 parts} (Zodiac)

(Zodiac)



 Invented 7 day weekInvented 7 day week



 Divided day into 120 minutesDivided day into 120 minutes



 Charted the movements of planets & eclipses of Charted the movements of planets & eclipses of

the sun & moon



 _{Invented 360 degree-circle}_{Invented 360 degree-circle}



 King Nebuchadnezzar militarism led toKing Nebuchadnezzar militarism led to

formation of Hebrew Empire (Judah)



(22)

Hebrew (Israelites, Jews)



 History contained in the TorahHistory contained in the Torah



 Trace their origin in Sumerian city- UrTrace their origin in Sumerian city- Ur



 1950 BC – Abraham made covenant with1950 BC – Abraham made covenant with

God- Ur



 Ur under attack by the Elemites (Iran)Ur under attack by the Elemites (Iran)



 Migrated to PalestineMigrated to Palestine



 12 tribes migrated to Egypt – 1600 BC under12 tribes migrated to Egypt – 1600 BC under

Hyksos



 _{After Hyksos were overthrown – Hebrews}_{After Hyksos were overthrown – Hebrews} were enslaved – Biblical bondage

were enslaved – Biblical bondage



 Moses led them & led them to Canaan arrivedMoses led them & led them to Canaan arrived

in Canaan – Joshua (1200BC)

(23)

Hebrew Cont’d……



 Moses led them & led them to CanaanMoses led them & led them to Canaan

arrived in Canaan – Jos

arrived in Canaan – Joshua (1200BC)hua (1200BC)



 Followed by the leadership of the judgesFollowed by the leadership of the judges

which ended in 1020 BC- Saul united the two

tribes



 Followed by David & Solomon built theFollowed by David & Solomon built the

temple (First Temple)



 Solomon was extravagant – caused to cedeSolomon was extravagant – caused to cede

20 cities in Galilee in lieu of payment leading

to hostility with his subjects



 Hostility continued during leadership of Hostility continued during leadership of

Solomon’s son- Rehoboam

(24)

Hebrew Cont’d……



 The rise of two nations in Israel- Israel & Judah The rise of two nations in Israel- Israel & Judah



 _{Israel (North of Palestine) & Judah (South)}_{Israel (North of Palestine) & Judah (South)} 

 Divided Kingdom resulted to idolatryDivided Kingdom resulted to idolatry



 Division led to attacks by foreigners – IsraelDivision led to attacks by foreigners – Israel

(Assyrians) & Judah

(Assyrians) & Judah (Chaldeans)(Chaldeans)



 _{Attacks scattered the Hebrews all over the world}_{Attacks scattered the Hebrews all over the world} resulting to 10 lost tribes of Israel

resulting to 10 lost tribes of Israel



 Nebuchadnezzar II & IsraelNebuchadnezzar II & Israel



 _{Hebrews (Judah) were incarcerated in Babylon}_{Hebrews (Judah) were incarcerated in Babylon} 

 _{Conspired with King Cyrus of Persian overthrew Neb}_{Conspired with King Cyrus of Persian overthrew Neb} 

 Mesopotamia became a province of Persia & someMesopotamia became a province of Persia & some

Hebrews returned to Israel



(25)

Hebrew Cont’d……



The return of the Jews:



 Jews from Judah tried to rebuild the templeJews from Judah tried to rebuild the temple

but never succeeded coz of constant attacks



 Attacked by Alexander the Great, KingAttacked by Alexander the Great, King

Antiochus (Syria), Herod (Roman)



 King Herod renamed it Judea & destroyedKing Herod renamed it Judea & destroyed

when the Jews tried to rebel leading to second

wave of Jews migration to Europe



(26)

Hebrew Cont’d……



 Jews & Discrimination: Jews & Discrimination:



 1096- Christian crusade persecuted &1096- Christian crusade persecuted &

discriminated non-Christians



 _{Jews required to wear a badge or special}_{Jews required to wear a badge or special} clothes that would categorize them as Jews

clothes that would categorize them as Jews



 Lived in separated communities- GhettosLived in separated communities- Ghettos



 Jews lost right to own land & became moneyJews lost right to own land & became money

lenders & peddlers



 _{England & France expel Jews – settled in}_{England & France expel Jews – settled in} Poland & Germany

(27)

Hebrew Cont’d……



Enlightenment Age (1700s) & Plight of Enlightenment Age (1700s) & Plight of Jews:Jews:



 Period marked by ideas of liberty & equality- inPeriod marked by ideas of liberty & equality- in

Europe



 Resulted into tolerance of Jews, emancipationResulted into tolerance of Jews, emancipation

and acceptance of Jews as citizens in individual

European countries



1800s- Anti-semitism re-emerged when writers-1800s- Anti-semitism re-emerged when

writers-Germany tried to proof that Jews were inferior to

Germany tried to proof that Jews were inferior to

Aryans



 _{1849 a Jewish French army officer accused of}_{1849 a Jewish French army officer accused of} treason

treason



(28)

Hebrew Cont’d……



Enlightenment Age (1700s) & Plight of Enlightenment Age (1700s) & Plight of Jews:Jews:



 Then Jews decided only solution to anti- Then Jews decided only solution to

anti-semitism was a Jewish independent state

semitism was a Jewish independent state



 Creation of Zionist movementCreation of Zionist movement



 Zionist movement begun by buying land inZionist movement begun by buying land in

Palestine & established farms in Tel-Aviv



 _{During WWII – anti-semitism in parts of Europe}_{During WWII – anti-semitism in parts of Europe} lead to the death of 6 million Jews

lead to the death of 6 million Jews



 Israel – created in 1948 (Britain & US)Israel – created in 1948 (Britain & US)



 _{Jewish religious & national identity could be}_{Jewish religious & national identity could be}

developed

(29)

PERSIAN EMPIRE



 Established by Cyrus the GreatEstablished by Cyrus the Great



 Leader of Southern Persian tribes butLeader of Southern Persian tribes but

considered himself leader of Asia Minor



 _{Succeeded by Cambyses- conquered Egypt}_{Succeeded by Cambyses- conquered Egypt}



 _{Darius- conquer Greece}_{Darius- conquer Greece}



 Key Contributions:Key Contributions:



 Religion – Zoroastrianism (600BC) & MithraismReligion – Zoroastrianism (600BC) & Mithraism

(400BC)