Name:______Date:______

Civilization / Era:
MESOPOTAMIA / Political Characteristics
  • City-states – self-governing urban centers that controlled surrounding agricultural lands
  • Ziggurat – heart of city-state. Site of festivals, palace of king, high temple to god)
  • Often competitive and at war with each other, but could also become allied trading partners
  • Sumerians (5000 BC – 2350 BC) are the dominant cultural influence
  • Sargon of Akkad unites the city-states in 2350 BC to bring Akkadians to political prominence. He does so by razing city walls, installing governors backed by Akkadian garrison. 120 yr dynasty will follow.
  • 3rd Dyansty of Ur – (2112 BC – 2004 BC) 5 kings from that city-state dominate through marriage/alliances
  • Babylonians – (1900 BC – 1600 BC)
    Establish capital at Babylon. Hammurabi most notable king (1792 BC – 1750 BC)
    Era referred to as OldBabylonianKingdom
/ Achievements (Cultural)
  • Epic of Gilgamesh – early story of superhero Uruk king with great abilities
    (shows reverence for god-like king)
  • Hammurabi’s Code – strict and harsh set of laws that established an early system of justice
    (Ex: “eye for an eye”)
/ Religious Characteristics (Cultural)
  • Creation Myth – Idea that gods created man, the environment, and unexplainable natural phenomena (river floodings, droughts, etc)
  • Polytheistic Beliefs – Many gods that represented nature
  • Ziggurat – pyramid-like stepped tower in center of city-states very likely a temple

Time Period:
5000 BC – 1600 BC
Related Key Concepts
1.2. The Neolithic Revolution and Early
Agricultural Societies
1.3. The Development and Interactions of
Early Agricultural, Pastoral, and Urban Societies
Most Important Thing to Remember:
A Tale of Two Rivers
Fertile Crescent started it all…
Technological Characteristics (Cultural)
  • Ist evidence of use of:
    Wheel
    Canals
    Road systems
    City-wall building
    Calendar
    Code of Laws
    Bronze-working (copper alloy)
    Mathematics – Number system based on 60
    Standardized weights & measures
    Writing – Cuneiform (wedge-shaped symbol language pressed into clay tablets)
    Chariots – transportation and war
    Full-time trained army of warriors
/ Interaction with Environment
  • Hot, dry climate
  • Unpredictable river flooding
  • Open centralized area very prone to crossovers/invasions of peoples
/ Economic Characteristics
  • River region provided extensive opportunity for mud bricks (building) and clay tablets (record keeping)
  • Barter Economy – trading items for items
  • Cuneiform writing inscribed in clay tablets allowed for record keeping of standard weights and measures
    (Ex: 10 grain bushels = 1 lb. copper)
  • Major trading hub between nearby civilizations
/ Social Characteristics
  • Class hierarchy in place:
    1. City-state king
    2. Wealthy landowners (administrators, priests, scribes)
    3. Middle Class
    (farmers, craftsmen, laborers)
    4. Slaves
  • New job types now available due to agricultural surplus (farmers can provide for many)
  • Women can work jobs outside home, own land, some marriage rights (divorce, dowry decisions). However, women’s place became domestic to raise children, and men had complete authority at home