Mesopotamian Legacy

Theme: Origins of Civilization are found in Mesopotamia ("between the rivers")

I. What is civilization?

A. Latin word referring to "city life"

B. Organized life entails government, law, writing, and sophisticated culture

II. Why did civilization arise where and when it did?

A. Three theories about causes

1. challenge and response

2. functional reason (irrigation)

3. religion

B. Which is right?

1. Mesopotamian culture shaped by religion

III. Religion and cities

A. Sumerian cities

1. Centered around Temples

a. ziggurats (temple mounds)

b. Ziggurat at Ur

2. Ruled by priest-kings

3. Later Mesopotamian kings are warrior kings, but retain priestly function

B. Mesopotamian religion

1. humans worship anthropomorphic gods of nature

a. gods are dangerous and unpredictable

b. humans are slaves to gods

c. immortality impossible

2. Interacting with gods

a. sacrifice

b. divination

c. magic rites

--example of the "sacred marriage"

IV. Mesopotamian achievements

A. Agriculture

1. foundation of Western agriculture to this day

B. Astronomy and mathematics

1. observing and measuring the heavens

a. numbering system based on twelve and sixty

b. months and hours of twelve; weeks of seven

c. astrology

C. Letters and law

1. first phonetic system of writing

2. beginnings of literature (Gilgamesh is an example)

3. First written laws

a. Stele of Hammurabi

b. Hammurabi's law--the principle of equity

c. what can be learned about Mesopotamian society from the laws?