THE IMPACTS OF MESOPOTAMIAN ADVANCEMENTS

Sam Jones

ABOUT MESOPOTAMIA Mesopotamia is Greek for “the land

between the rivers” Located in what is now Iraq Fertile Crescent Desert in the North/Swamp in the South Few resources Birthplace of Civilization

HISTORICAL PERIODS OF MESOPOTAMIA

Uruk-4000 BC to 3100 BC Sumerian-2900 BC to 2334 BC Akkadian-2334 BC to 2218 BC Neo-Sumerian (Ur III)-2047 BC to 2047

BC Assyrian-1940 BC to 1840 BC Babylon-1830 BC to 1531 BC Neo-Babylonian-626 BC to 539 BC Neo-Assyrian-911 BC to 612 BC

IMPORTANT MESOPOTAMIANS Gilgamesh

Character of one of the world’s first works of fiction. He wasthe fifth King of Uruk, as listed in the Sumerian Kings List.

IMPORTANT PEOPLE Puabi

Famous for her tomb (Royal Cemetery of Ur) and mass suicide burial of her servants. Amazing discovery because it was untouched by robbers. Gold, jewels, and musical instruments have all been excavated.

ARTIFACTS FROM ROYAL CEMETERY AT UR

Gold Headdress

Bull-Headed Lyre

Ram in the Thicket

IMPORTANT MESOPOTAMIANS Sargon

A King during the Akkadian Period, established the first Empire.

EnheduanaSome sources claim daughter to Sargon, her position as High Priestess of Inanna helped solidify his control religiously as well as politically. She was also one of the first writers/composer. Creating over 40 hymns while High Priestess.

IMPORTANT MESOPOTAMIANS Naram-Sin

Nephew of Enheduana and grandaughter of Sargon. First King to deify himself.

GudeaBrought humility back to the Kingship, built temples and ended the tradition of self-deification.

IMPORTANT MESOPOTAMIANS Hammurabi

Famous for the Code of Hammurabi, first set of written laws. “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” All punishments should be equal and fitting for the crime committed.

IMPORTANT MESOPOTAMIANS Assurbanipal

Kind to his subjects, unjustly cruel and malicious to his enemies. Established to the first systematic and organized library at Nineveh: Library of Assurbanipal.

MESOPOTAMIAN INNOVATIONS Irrigation Domesticating Animals The Wheel Plows 60 Minute Hour, 24 Hour Day, 7 Day

Week Writing

MESOPOTAMIAN CITIES Uruk Ur Nippur Babylon Nineveh

Ziggurat at Ur

RELIGION Thousands of gods (Polytheistic)

Marduk Anu Ishtar/Inanna Enlil Abzu Ninurta

Mesopotamian Lion, Ishtar’s

Symbol

MESOPOTAMIAN SUMMARY

MESOPOTAMIAN SUMMARY