Outline
Chapter 2
Early Civilizations in Mesopotamia
Cumulative effects of agriculture + wave of technological changes around 4000 B.C.E. = generated civilizations as a new organizational form
The process of agricultural economies = civilizations began in the Middle East.
The Sumerians
Sumer
1st river valley civilizations
Major floods occurred
Northeastern section along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers that lead to the Persian Gulf
Rainfall is scant
Generated large food surpluses = population growth and village expansion + increased trade and job specialization
It was so flat it was as open to invasion
Fertile Crescent
Between the northern hills and the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, running from the eastern Mediterranean coast to the plains of the Tigris and Euphrates
Tigris and Euphrates River
The river overflows Sumer’s banks in the spring, depositing fertile soil when they recede
Sumerians
Migrated from the north to Sumer in 4000 B.C.E.
Developed centers of religion, pilgrimage, and worship
First introduced the first writing system -> Cuneiform
Sumerian Political and Social Organization
Political organization were based on a series of organized city-states
City-states – an urban king, who claimed great authority, ruled the agricultural land
Functions
Define Boundaries
Provide justice
Fighting wars was very important
Slaves worked on the lands
Established regional rule
Farmers learned how to cultivate date trees, onions, and garlic
Oxen pulled plows
Donkeys carried goods
Wheeled carts helped transport goods
Sumerians introduced many things including:
Fertilizer
Adopted silver as a means of exchange fro buying and selling
Sumerians expanded the expansion of pottery
Because of this men started to take this away from women
Glass
Sumerian Culture and Religion
Writing
Introduced in 3500 B.C.E.
It was needed for commercial property and political records
Sumerian Alphabet = 2000 symbols derived from early pictures
Then it
Early Civilizations in Mesopotamia
Cumulative effects of agriculture + wave of technological changes around 4000 B.C.E. = generated civilizations as a new organizational form
The process of agricultural economies = civilizations began in the Middle East.
The Sumerians
Sumer
1st river valley civilizations
Major floods occurred
Northeastern section along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers that lead to the Persian Gulf
Rainfall is scant
Generated large food surpluses = population growth and village expansion + increased trade and job specialization
It was so flat it was as open to invasion
Fertile Crescent
Between the northern hills and the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, running from the eastern Mediterranean coast to the plains of the Tigris and Euphrates
Tigris and Euphrates River
The river overflows Sumer’s banks in the spring, depositing fertile soil when they recede
Sumerians
Migrated from the north to Sumer in 4000 B.C.E.
Developed centers of religion, pilgrimage, and worship
First introduced the first writing system -> Cuneiform
Sumerian Political and Social Organization
Political organization were based on a series of organized city-states
City-states – an urban king, who claimed great authority, ruled the agricultural land
Functions
Define Boundaries
Provide justice
Fighting wars was very important
Slaves worked on the lands
Established regional rule
Farmers learned how to cultivate date trees, onions, and garlic
Oxen pulled plows
Donkeys carried goods
Wheeled carts helped transport goods
Sumerians introduced many things including:
Fertilizer
Adopted silver as a means of exchange fro buying and selling
Sumerians expanded the expansion of pottery
Because of this men started to take this away from women
Glass
Sumerian Culture and Religion
Writing
Introduced in 3500 B.C.E.
It was needed for commercial property and political records
Sumerian Alphabet = 2000 symbols derived from early pictures
Then it