Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia WS

Economic, Political, and Social Structure

• Agriculture played a pivotal role in the economy, relying on the fertile land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
• Political power often tied to land ownership and wealth accumulation in city-states.
• Social hierarchy included priests and kings at the top, followed by merchants, artisans, and farmers.

Religious Beliefs

• Polytheistic, worshipping a multitude of gods and goddesses believed to influence every aspect of life.
• Gods were anthropomorphic, displaying human-like qualities and emotions.

Relationship Between Humans and Gods

• Viewed as subservient to the gods, with rituals aimed to appease them.
• A belief in divine favor and favorability determined by continuous worship and offerings.

Nature's Helplessness

• The unpredictability of flooding from the Tigris and Euphrates caused fear and helplessness, often portrayed in literature.

Number of Deities

• Mesopotamians recognized hundreds of gods and goddesses, each associated with various aspects of life and nature.

Geographic Features

• Geographical features such as the two rivers provided rich alluvial soil, crucial for agriculture and civilization growth.

Ziggurat

• Ziggurat refers to the monumental structures built to honor the gods, serving as temples in ancient Mesopotamian cities.

First Empire Creator

• Sargon of Akkad is known for establishing one of the world's first empires in Mesopotamia.

Political Structure of Sumerian City-States

• Characterized by a series of independent city-states, each governed by its own ruler often seen as a representative of the gods.

Development Supports

• The physical environment, including irrigation possibilities from river systems, directly supported agricultural surplus and urbanization.

First Mesopotamian Civilization

• The Sumerians are credited with creating the first civilization in Mesopotamia, known for their innovations and city-states.

Impact of Climate and Famines

• Harsh climate led to a fatalistic worldview, intertwining survival with divine will, fostering a belief in gods' capriciousness.

City of Ur

• Ur, an important Sumerian city known for advanced architecture, trade, and ziggurats.

Supernatural Beliefs

• The challenging physical environment fostered a belief in capricious supernatural forces controlling natural events such as floods and droughts.

Influenced Aspects of Civilization

• Social organization, agricultural practices, and religious systems were significantly shaped by the physical environment.

'Between the Rivers'

• Refers to the term Mesopotamia, derived from the Greek meaning 'land between the rivers'.

Coping with Flooding

• Mesopotamians developed irrigation techniques, built levees and canals to control flooding and maximize crop production.

Resulting Civilization

• The rise of the Sumerian civilization emerged due to food abundance resulting from effective farming techniques.

Sources of Achievements

• Mesopotamian civilization drew achievements from a blend of local innovations, trade with neighboring regions, and cultural exchanges.

Role of Rich Soil

• Fertile soil and crop abundance supported the growth of cities, leading to increased population density and advanced social structures.