Mesopotamia Civilization PDF

The Sumerian Civilization It emerged between 3500 BCE to 3000 BCE Considered as the earliest inhabitants of Mesopotamia. Sumerians are the first people to actually build a civilization.  Theocracy a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God...

The Sumerian Civilization It emerged between 3500 BCE to 3000 BCE Considered as the earliest inhabitants of Mesopotamia. Sumerians are the first people to actually build a civilization.  Theocracy a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god. Ancient Sumerians believed that gods controlled the status of their health, peace, abundance of livestock and harvest, and success in life. With the help of priest-kings, people can ascend to the dieties and gods may descend to people through the priests. Temple priests not only led people to build dikes and irrigation for the farm but also served as spiritual advisers of their subject.  Ziggurat Ziggurat was the basic structure found in every city-state. This high-walled mountain-shaped temple located at the heart of the city served as stairway leading to the home of their gods and goddesses.  Major Cities Ur Uruk (Erech) Lagash Kish Nippur Eridu Boundaries were defined by canals and boundary stones as well as temples to honor their patron god.  Patron Gods Eridu--Enki (god of waters) Nippur--Enlil (god of air) Uruk--Inana Sippar---Utu (the sun god) Ur and Nammu--Nanna (god of moon)  Sumerian Primary Gods Anu- the god of heaven Ki- the god of earth Collectively the gods were known as Anunnaki or “offspring of the lord”. They associated the god Anu with the number 60, and consequently, this also became their basis for the sexagesimal concept in telling time (60 seconds, for a minute, 60 minutes for an hour, and 360 degree to represent circle).  The knowledge of priest-kings of astrology was considered the key to their closeness to the deities. As kings, they implemented laws to maintain peace and order within the city-state. They also resolved problems on flooding and drought by mobilizing public labor in the construction of dikes, irrigation, and ziggurats. They also devised a calendar based on the movements of the moon each with the cycle of 28 days.  The social stratification was primarily based on the people’s occupation. The highest were the soldiers, tradesmen and craftsmen, while the most common were the farmers and finally, the slaves who worked as weavers, porters, and millers. Houses were arranged according to their occupation and social 1. Government leaders and priests stratification while the outer portions 2. Soldiers, tradesmen and craftsmen of the city were inhabited by 3. Farmers commoners. 4. Slaves  The Sumerians harvested wheat, barley, garlic, lettuce, and dates. They were highly dependent on their irrigation system. Due to frequent and unpredictable flooding brought about by the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, their dikes and reservoirs needed constant repairs and removal of the slit. Political leaders implemented forced labor. However, exemption was given to those who can afford to pay the government.  CUNEIFORM System of writing of Sumerians The leading scholars responsible for the translation of cuneiform tablets were Georg Friedrich Grotefend, a German Scholar and Sir Henry CUNEIFORM WRITING Rawlinson, a British army officer. According to them, scribes used stylus to write it on soft clay tablets which were sun-dried or baked afterwards.  CUNEIFORM Other archeologists excavated and deciphered more clay tablets which were repository of important documents such as laws, prayers, hymns, business contracts, CUNEIFORM WRITING receipts, inventory of the granaries, and literary works like epics, magical incantations, and scientific text including mathematics, astronomy, and medicine.  The first written law was implemented by Ur Nammu around 2100 BCE. The Epic of Gilgamesh was one of the oldest recorded epics which described how the Sumerians survived one of the Scene from disastrous floods in their “The Epic of Gilgamesh” history.  Sumerian Inventions Wheel Arithmetic Sexagesimal System as basis for telling time (60 seconds, 60 minutes, etc. Concepts in geometry used in their public buildings Irrigation systems Sumerian boats Lunisolar 12-month calendar (calendar based on the movements of sun and moon)  Sumerian Inventions Leather, saws, chisels, hammers, braces, bits, nails, pins, rings, hoes, axes, knives, arrowheads, swords, glue, daggers, waterskins, bags, harnesses, armors, quivers, boots, sandal (footwear), harpoons, and beer (from barley). In astronomy, they were the first to believe in the heliocentric (helios-sun; centro-center) view of the solar system.  THE AKKADIAN The first known empire in world history established in 2334 BCE by Sargon I, a rebel leader of the Akkadian, a Semitic tribe who migrated to the city-state of Kish in Sumeria.  THE AKKADIAN According to a deciphered Babylonian legend, Sargon spent most of his adult life conquering neighboring cities in the west including Syria, Palestine, Magan (present-day Oman), Elam, and the northern part of Mesopotamia.  THE AKKADIAN Sargon assumed the title as the “God of Agade” (Akkadian Capital). After his death, his grandson Naram-Sim continued his legacy until it was invaded by King Gudea of Ur in 2100 BCE.  THE BABYLONIANS Classified into three periods: 1. Old Babylonians; 2.Neo Babylonians or Chaldeans; 3.Babylonians during Persian Empire.  THE BABYLONIANS Around 1800 BCE, the Amorites, another Semitic tribe in Mesopotamia, attacked Ur and Akkad and established its new capital in Babylon.  HAMMURABI Fifth ruler who made the babylonian empire known because of his codification of laws popularly referred to as “The Code of Hammurabi” which was written on a slab of stone as high as eight feet and was discovered by J. de Morgan and Susa in 1901.  HAMMURABI The babylonians addressed him as the prophet of Marduk, their god. His assumption of both political and religious power made Hammurabi very powerful.  HAMMURABI CODE The code followed the principle “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. It means whatever you do wrong to others will be returned by me in the same manner. The clay tablet where the Code was written contained a figure showing Ishtar, the god of justice, entrusting to Hammurabi the written law.  Careful military strategy Skillful diplomacy Expert Metal Workers Secret of Iron Working  Satraphy The Great Royal System Efficient government Zoroastrianism  Successful traders Based in the coastal cities Purple cloth “Carriers of civilization”  Lydian coins were imprinted with the king’s image as a guarantee that they were with correct weight and value.  Nomadic tribes Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob Jerusalem Influenced two other religions: Christianity and Islam