Bell Ringer •Based on the map you drew, why do you think that area of the Middle East was known as the, “Fertile Crescent”? What physical features support your answer?

Land Between Two RiversChapter 2, Section 1

Graphic OrganizerGeographic Setting

The First Cities

Sumerian Religion

Geographic Setting• Mesopotamia • Got it’s name from it’s

location – Greek word meaning, “between the rivers”• Between the Tigris and

Euphrates Rivers• Location of Sumer (one of

the most prosperous places in the Ancient World)

Part of the Fertile Crescent – a region in Southeast Asia; site of the first civilizations.

Geographic Setting• Tigris and Euphrates• Source of Life – melting snow picked up topsoil as it rushed down the

mountains and flooded the land leaving this fertile topsoil on the plains below. It also supplied fish, clay for building, and reeds used for making boats. • Source of Death – Floods could be unpredictable, sweeping away people,

animals, crops and houses.

The First Cities• Even though cities in Mesopotamia shared a common culture and

language, they did not unite under a single ruler • City-state: a city that is also a separate, independent state. • Each city had it’s own special god or goddess, it’s own government, and it’s

own king.

Sumerian Religion• The first known schools were set up in the

land of Sumer over 4,000 years ago• They taught boys (and maybe a few girls) the

new invention of writing• Graduates became scribes: professional

writers• Scribes were important because they kept

records for the kings and priests. • Sumerian = the oldest known written

language

Sumerian Religion• Ziggurat: the site of the temple to the main god or goddess of the city.• Pyramids made of terraces, had a shrine at the top. • Sumerians believed that gods descended to Earth using the Ziggurat

• Polytheism: a belief in many gods. • Myths: stories about gods that explain people’s beliefs • The Fall of Sumer• Wealth became its downfall, city-states fought over land and river water• King Sargon of Akkadia united the city-states and improved Sumer’s

government and military for 100 years until it dissolved.