Ancient SumerAncient Sumer

3300 B.C.-1900 B.C.3300 B.C.-1900 B.C.

Fertile CrescentFertile Crescent

Region of rich soil in the middle Region of rich soil in the middle east, curving from the Persian Gulf east, curving from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea.to the Mediterranean Sea.

MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Region between the Tigris and Euphrates Region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Name given to this region by the rivers. Name given to this region by the ancient Greeks meaning “between the ancient Greeks meaning “between the rivers”rivers”

ZigguratZiggurat

A large stepped platform with a A large stepped platform with a temple on top used for religious temple on top used for religious ceremonies in ancient times.ceremonies in ancient times.

CuneiformCuneiform

Earliest form of writing. Consisted Earliest form of writing. Consisted of wedge shaped marks in clay of wedge shaped marks in clay tablets.tablets.

SumerSumer

World’s First Civilization. (3300 B.C.)World’s First Civilization. (3300 B.C.) Located in Mesopotamia.Located in Mesopotamia. Part of the Fertile Crescent.Part of the Fertile Crescent.

Floods and IrrigationFloods and Irrigation

Tigris and Euphrates flooded frequently, Tigris and Euphrates flooded frequently, destroying topsoil and homes.destroying topsoil and homes.

Leadership in the form of temple priests Leadership in the form of temple priests or royal officials allowed for an organized or royal officials allowed for an organized effort to control the flooding and use it for effort to control the flooding and use it for irrigation.irrigation.

Dikes to hold back floods.Dikes to hold back floods. Ditches dug for irrigation.Ditches dug for irrigation.

Innovative people.Innovative people.

Sumer lacked timber and stone for Sumer lacked timber and stone for building.building. Used clay to make bricks, which led to the Used clay to make bricks, which led to the

building of some of the world’s first great building of some of the world’s first great cities, including Ur and Uruk.cities, including Ur and Uruk.

Trade brought riches to Sumerian cities.Trade brought riches to Sumerian cities. Traders travelled down the rivers or across Traders travelled down the rivers or across

the desert to trade with distant regions. (As the desert to trade with distant regions. (As far away as Egypt and India)far away as Egypt and India)

City-StatesCity-States

Sumer divided into at least 12 city-states.Sumer divided into at least 12 city-states. City-States ruled at first by war leaders City-States ruled at first by war leaders

who battled each other for control of land who battled each other for control of land and water.and water.

Rule by war leaders leads to Rule by war leaders leads to hereditaryhereditary rule.rule.

These rulers were responsible for…..These rulers were responsible for….. Maintaining walls for protection.Maintaining walls for protection. Irrigation systems.Irrigation systems. Conducting warfare.Conducting warfare. Enforcing laws.Enforcing laws. Employing Scribes to collect taxes and keep Employing Scribes to collect taxes and keep

records.records. Lead ceremonies meant to please their gods.Lead ceremonies meant to please their gods.

Social Classes in SumerSocial Classes in Sumer

Highest LevelHighest Level Ruling familyRuling family Leading officialsLeading officials PriestsPriests

Middle ClassMiddle Class Lesser PriestsLesser Priests ScribesScribes Merchants Merchants ArtisansArtisans

Lowest ClassLowest Class Peasant farmersPeasant farmers SlavesSlaves

ReligionReligion

PolytheisticPolytheistic Believed gods controlled every aspect of life, Believed gods controlled every aspect of life,

especially nature.especially nature. Believed their highest duty was to keep the Believed their highest duty was to keep the

gods happy, to ensure the safety of their city-gods happy, to ensure the safety of their city-state.state.

Each city built a ziggurat dedicated to their Each city built a ziggurat dedicated to their gods.gods.

Believed in a grim afterlife in an underworld Believed in a grim afterlife in an underworld from which there was no release.from which there was no release.

Invention of WritingInvention of Writing

Cuneiform (from Latin word cuneus for Cuneiform (from Latin word cuneus for “wedge”) Created around 3200 B.C.“wedge”) Created around 3200 B.C.

Scribes would carve wedge-shaped marks on Scribes would carve wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets using a sharp tool called a stylus.clay tablets using a sharp tool called a stylus.

Evolved out of a system of pictographs used to Evolved out of a system of pictographs used to record goods brought to the temple record goods brought to the temple storehouses.storehouses.

Became more complicated over time.Became more complicated over time.

Other contributions from Other contributions from Sumer.Sumer.

Started developing astronomy and Started developing astronomy and mathematics.mathematics.

Divided the hour into 60 minutes.Divided the hour into 60 minutes. Divided a circle into 360 degrees.Divided a circle into 360 degrees. The “Epic of Gilgamesh”The “Epic of Gilgamesh”

Narrative Poem about a hero named Narrative Poem about a hero named Gilgamesh who may have been a real King Gilgamesh who may have been a real King in Uruk.in Uruk.

The End of SumerThe End of Sumer

Around 2500 B.C., invaders began Around 2500 B.C., invaders began conquering Sumer city-states.conquering Sumer city-states.

By 1900 B.C., Sumerian city-states had By 1900 B.C., Sumerian city-states had all been over-run by invaders.all been over-run by invaders.

Wrap up Question????Wrap up Question????

Why did cuneiform have such a major Why did cuneiform have such a major impact on the ancient world? Why is it impact on the ancient world? Why is it such a major step in history?such a major step in history?

The development of Cuneiform meant the beginning The development of Cuneiform meant the beginning of written communication and also, as a result, the of written communication and also, as a result, the beginning of an actual written record of history.beginning of an actual written record of history.

Invaders and Invaders and EmpiresEmpires

CodifyCodify

To arrange in orderly fashion and To arrange in orderly fashion and write down.write down.

The first empires of The first empires of Mesopotamia.Mesopotamia.

Some of the more powerful invaders of Some of the more powerful invaders of Mesopotamia begin to create large, well Mesopotamia begin to create large, well organized empires.organized empires.

This brings peace and prosperity to the This brings peace and prosperity to the region as warfare among individual city-region as warfare among individual city-states ends and trade flourishes.states ends and trade flourishes.

Akkadian Empire Akkadian Empire (2350-2300 B.C.)(2350-2300 B.C.)

Sargon Sargon ruler of Sumer city-state Akkad.ruler of Sumer city-state Akkad. Invaded neighboring city-states.Invaded neighboring city-states. Built first known empire in history.Built first known empire in history. Appointed local rulers to oversee the empire.Appointed local rulers to oversee the empire. Did not last long, ended after Sargon died.Did not last long, ended after Sargon died.

First Babylonian EmpireFirst Babylonian Empire(1790 B.C. - 1595 B.C.)(1790 B.C. - 1595 B.C.)

HammurabiHammurabi, King of Sumer City-State , King of Sumer City-State Babylon.Babylon. Brought much of Mesopotamia under the Brought much of Mesopotamia under the

control of his empire.control of his empire.

Hammurabi’s CodeHammurabi’s Code

Set of nearly 300 laws carved on a stone Set of nearly 300 laws carved on a stone pillar.pillar.

First attempt to codify all the laws that First attempt to codify all the laws that would govern a state.would govern a state.

Addressed both civil law and criminal Addressed both civil law and criminal law.law.

Created order. Created order. (Page 37 in book)(Page 37 in book)

Objective of Hammurabi’s Objective of Hammurabi’s Code…Code…

““..to cause justice to prevail in the land, to ..to cause justice to prevail in the land, to destroy the wicked and evil, to prevent destroy the wicked and evil, to prevent the strong from oppressing the the strong from oppressing the weak,..and to further the welfare of the weak,..and to further the welfare of the people.”people.”

Other contributions of Other contributions of Hammurabi.Hammurabi.

Improved Irrigation.Improved Irrigation. Organized a well trained army.Organized a well trained army. Repaired temples.Repaired temples. Promoted his own patron god “Marduk” in Promoted his own patron god “Marduk” in

order to bring religious unity to the order to bring religious unity to the empire.empire.

Hittites (1400 B.C. – 1200 Hittites (1400 B.C. – 1200 B.C.)B.C.)

Invaded Mesopotamia out of Asia minor.Invaded Mesopotamia out of Asia minor. Brought with them the knowledge of how to Brought with them the knowledge of how to

extract iron out of ore.extract iron out of ore. Far superior iron weapons compared to softer Far superior iron weapons compared to softer

copper or bronze weapons.copper or bronze weapons. Iron was more plentiful so the Hittites could arm Iron was more plentiful so the Hittites could arm

more people at less expense.more people at less expense. Tried to keep this technology a secret, but as their Tried to keep this technology a secret, but as their

empire collapsed their ironsmiths looked for work empire collapsed their ironsmiths looked for work elsewhere.elsewhere.

This technology spread across Asia, Africa, and This technology spread across Asia, Africa, and Europe (cultural diffusion) ushering in the Iron Age.Europe (cultural diffusion) ushering in the Iron Age.

Assyrian Empire Assyrian Empire (1350 B.C. – 612 B.C.)(1350 B.C. – 612 B.C.)

Lived on the upper Tigris river.Lived on the upper Tigris river. Also learned to forge iron weapons.Also learned to forge iron weapons. Gained a reputation as the most feared Gained a reputation as the most feared

warriors in history. warriors in history. Took great pride in their warfare. Took great pride in their warfare.

Well ordered societyWell ordered society Built large palaces and well planned cities.Built large palaces and well planned cities. Founded one of the world’s first libraries at Nineveh.Founded one of the world’s first libraries at Nineveh.

Defeated by an alliance of neighboring Defeated by an alliance of neighboring peoples.peoples.

New Babylonian EmpireNew Babylonian Empire(625 B.C. – 539 B.C.)(625 B.C. – 539 B.C.)

King Nebopolassar brings Babylon back King Nebopolassar brings Babylon back into power.into power.

Quickly revived its powers under its Quickly revived its powers under its second king, Nebuchadnezzar. second king, Nebuchadnezzar.

NebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzar Aggressive and ruthless king.Aggressive and ruthless king. King during part of the biblical story of Daniel.King during part of the biblical story of Daniel. Made the city of Babylon into one of the most Made the city of Babylon into one of the most

highly regarded cities is Mesopotamia.highly regarded cities is Mesopotamia. Rebuilt canals, temples, walls, and palaces. (85 ft. Rebuilt canals, temples, walls, and palaces. (85 ft.

thick brick walls and nine solid gateways)thick brick walls and nine solid gateways) Enlarged the city’s ziggurat.Enlarged the city’s ziggurat. Famous “Hanging Gardens of Babylon”Famous “Hanging Gardens of Babylon”

One of the seven wonders of the ancient world.One of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Persian EmpirePersian Empire(539 B.C. – 330 B.C.)(539 B.C. – 330 B.C.)

Cyrus the Great.Cyrus the Great. Defeated Babylon in 539 B.C. (Daniel)Defeated Babylon in 539 B.C. (Daniel) Largest empire yet, from Asia minor to India.Largest empire yet, from Asia minor to India. Tolerated customs of conquered people.Tolerated customs of conquered people.

Darius I (522 B.C. – 486 B.C.)Darius I (522 B.C. – 486 B.C.) Skilled organizer.Skilled organizer. Divided empire into provinces ruled by a governor.Divided empire into provinces ruled by a governor. Each province paid taxes based on resources and Each province paid taxes based on resources and

wealth.wealth. Like Hammurabi, Darius drew up a single code of laws Like Hammurabi, Darius drew up a single code of laws

for the empire.for the empire. Hundreds of miles of roads are built or repaired.Hundreds of miles of roads are built or repaired. Established a common set of weights and measures.Established a common set of weights and measures. Encouraged use of coins which helped bring merchants Encouraged use of coins which helped bring merchants

and traders out of the old and traders out of the old barter economybarter economy and into an and into an early form of money economy.early form of money economy.

Zoroaster (600 B.C.)Zoroaster (600 B.C.) Persian thinkerPersian thinker Rejected the old Persian gods.Rejected the old Persian gods. Believed in a single wise god (monotheism) Believed in a single wise god (monotheism)

who was constantly fighting against the who was constantly fighting against the prince of lies and evil. Each person must prince of lies and evil. Each person must choose their side.choose their side.

Believed in a final judgment day.Believed in a final judgment day.

PhoeniciansPhoenicians Small state of cities along the Mediterranean Small state of cities along the Mediterranean

coast. (modern day Lebanon and Syria)coast. (modern day Lebanon and Syria) Famous as sailors and traders.Famous as sailors and traders. Established colonies from North Africa to Established colonies from North Africa to

Spain in order to promote trade. (Some sailed Spain in order to promote trade. (Some sailed as far as Britain for trade)as far as Britain for trade)

Created their own alphabet, which the Greeks Created their own alphabet, which the Greeks later adapted for their own use and which later later adapted for their own use and which later led to our own alphabet.led to our own alphabet.

Wrap up Question?????Wrap up Question?????

What effects did the formation of What effects did the formation of empires, and the establishment of trade, empires, and the establishment of trade, have on the ancient world?have on the ancient world?

The formation of empires and establishment The formation of empires and establishment of trade led to more interaction between the of trade led to more interaction between the various civilizations which allowed for various civilizations which allowed for cultural diffusion, the spread of ideas and cultural diffusion, the spread of ideas and technological developments throughout the technological developments throughout the ancient world.ancient world.

Kingdom of the Nile:Kingdom of the Nile:Ancient EgyptAncient Egypt

CataractCataract

A waterfall on the Nile river.A waterfall on the Nile river.

DeltaDelta

Triangular area of marshland formed Triangular area of marshland formed by deposits of silt at the mouth of a by deposits of silt at the mouth of a river.river.

PharaohPharaoh

Government and religious head of Government and religious head of ancient Egypt. The king of Egypt.ancient Egypt. The king of Egypt.

DynastyDynasty

Chain of rulers from the same Chain of rulers from the same family.family.

The Nile RiverThe Nile River

Longest river in the world.Longest river in the world. Made travel throughout Egypt easier.Made travel throughout Egypt easier.

Trade flourished in Egypt as its merchants traveled Trade flourished in Egypt as its merchants traveled up and down the Nile in sailboats and barges up and down the Nile in sailboats and barges exchanging the products of Africa, the Middle East, exchanging the products of Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean region.and the Mediterranean region.

Life blood of Egyptian empire.Life blood of Egyptian empire. Fertile soil that was replenished by yearly Fertile soil that was replenished by yearly

flooding.flooding. Wheat and flax ( a fibrous plant used for clothing) Wheat and flax ( a fibrous plant used for clothing)

grew well here.grew well here.

Flood controlFlood control

Every Spring the Nile floods from rain in Every Spring the Nile floods from rain in the interior of Africa.the interior of Africa.

Cooperation was needed to control these Cooperation was needed to control these floods.floods. Early governments in Egypt built dikes, Early governments in Egypt built dikes,

reservoirs, and irrigation ditches to channel reservoirs, and irrigation ditches to channel flood waters and store water for the dry flood waters and store water for the dry seasons.seasons.

Two Regions of Ancient Two Regions of Ancient Egypt.Egypt.

Upper EgyptUpper Egypt Actually Southern part of Egypt.Actually Southern part of Egypt. Started at the Nile’s first cataract and Started at the Nile’s first cataract and

continued to within 100 miles of the continued to within 100 miles of the Mediterranean sea.Mediterranean sea.

Lower EgyptLower Egypt Actually Northern part of Egypt.Actually Northern part of Egypt. Covered the delta plain region of the Nile at Covered the delta plain region of the Nile at

the Mediterranean Sea.the Mediterranean Sea.

3100 B.C.3100 B.C. Menes, king of Upper Egypt unites Menes, king of Upper Egypt unites

the Upper and Lower regions.the Upper and Lower regions.Establishes Egypt’s first capital at Establishes Egypt’s first capital at

Memphis.Memphis.Utilized the Nile as a highway between Utilized the Nile as a highway between

the Upper and Lower regions which the Upper and Lower regions which created unity in Egypt.created unity in Egypt.

Divisions of Egyptian Divisions of Egyptian HistoryHistory

Old Kingdom (2575 B.C. – 2130 B.C.)Old Kingdom (2575 B.C. – 2130 B.C.) Middle Kingdom (1938 B.C. – 1630 B.C.)Middle Kingdom (1938 B.C. – 1630 B.C.) New Kingdom (1539 B.C. – 1075 B.C.)New Kingdom (1539 B.C. – 1075 B.C.)

Old Kingdom Old Kingdom (2575 B.C. – 2130 B.C.)(2575 B.C. – 2130 B.C.)

PharaohsPharaohs Leaders in ancient Egypt.Leaders in ancient Egypt. Organized a strong centralized state.Organized a strong centralized state. Were believed to be gods, therefore they Were believed to be gods, therefore they

had absolute power and owned all of Egypt.had absolute power and owned all of Egypt. Took pride in justice and order.Took pride in justice and order. Delegated responsibilities in the empire.Delegated responsibilities in the empire.

PyramidsPyramids

Built by the Pharaohs for tombs.Built by the Pharaohs for tombs. Most located near Memphis.Most located near Memphis. Considered homes for the dead in Considered homes for the dead in

eternity.eternity. Pharaohs were buried with everything Pharaohs were buried with everything

they would need in the afterlife.they would need in the afterlife.

Reasons for Old Reasons for Old Kingdom’s collapse.Kingdom’s collapse.

Power strugglesPower struggles Crop failuresCrop failures Building costs of pyramidsBuilding costs of pyramids

Middle Kingdom Middle Kingdom (1938 B.C. – 1630 B.C.)(1938 B.C. – 1630 B.C.)

After more than 100 years of disunity, After more than 100 years of disunity, new pharaohs reunited Egypt.new pharaohs reunited Egypt.

Middle Kingdom is a turbulent period in Middle Kingdom is a turbulent period in Egyptian history.Egyptian history. Nile did not flood regularly.Nile did not flood regularly. Corruption and rebellion are common.Corruption and rebellion are common.

There were some positives.There were some positives. New land was drained for farming.New land was drained for farming.

Region of Nubia is occupied by Egyptian forces, Region of Nubia is occupied by Egyptian forces, giving Egypt a new source of gold, ivory, cattle, and giving Egypt a new source of gold, ivory, cattle, and slaves.slaves.

Trade with Middle East and island of Crete Trade with Middle East and island of Crete increases.increases.

1700 B.C., foreign invaders called 1700 B.C., foreign invaders called Hyksos occupy the delta region, bringing Hyksos occupy the delta region, bringing an end to the Middle Kingdom.an end to the Middle Kingdom. Hyksos introduced war chariots to Egypt, Hyksos introduced war chariots to Egypt,

which the Egyptians would master in time.which the Egyptians would master in time.

New Kingdom New Kingdom (1539 B.C. – 1075 B.C.)(1539 B.C. – 1075 B.C.)

New Powerful and ambitious pharaohs New Powerful and ambitious pharaohs establish a large empire, stretching from establish a large empire, stretching from Nubia to Syria.Nubia to Syria.

Age of conquest which leads to greater Age of conquest which leads to greater contact with other African and Southwest contact with other African and Southwest Asian peoples.Asian peoples.

Powerful RulersPowerful Rulers HatshepsutHatshepsut

First female pharaoh.First female pharaoh. Encouraged trade.Encouraged trade.

Thutmose IIIThutmose III Stepson of Hatshepsut.Stepson of Hatshepsut. Great military general who stretched Egypt’s Great military general who stretched Egypt’s

borders.borders. Ramses IIRamses II

Regained control of old borders to Syria.Regained control of old borders to Syria. Big time boaster, built great temples and Big time boaster, built great temples and

monuments to himself for his victories.monuments to himself for his victories.

Decline of EgyptDecline of Egypt

After 1100 B.C., Egyptian power slowly After 1100 B.C., Egyptian power slowly declines.declines.

Constant warfare and invasions take its toll.Constant warfare and invasions take its toll. Invaders such as the Assyrians and Persians Invaders such as the Assyrians and Persians

conquered the Nile region.conquered the Nile region. Last Egyptian dynasty ends with Greek control Last Egyptian dynasty ends with Greek control

in 332 B.C.in 332 B.C. Roman armies take over in 30 B.C.Roman armies take over in 30 B.C. The Nile valley continued to be an important The Nile valley continued to be an important

resource for each of its conquerors.resource for each of its conquerors.

Wrap up question???Wrap up question???

How did the Nile River influence the rise How did the Nile River influence the rise of the powerful kingdoms of ancient of the powerful kingdoms of ancient Egypt?Egypt? The Nile river was the life blood of the Egyptian The Nile river was the life blood of the Egyptian

empire. The fertile soil around the Nile allowed the empire. The fertile soil around the Nile allowed the Egyptians to grow surpluses of crops to support Egyptians to grow surpluses of crops to support their civilization. The Nile unified the various their civilization. The Nile unified the various regions of Egypt because it allowed for easy travel regions of Egypt because it allowed for easy travel throughout the empire. Trade also flourished throughout the empire. Trade also flourished because of travel on the Nile.because of travel on the Nile.