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Quick History
Cities, Government and Trade
Daily Life
Gods and Goddesses
Innovations
100
Poisoned Fields
What caused the Collapse of Mesopotamian? As ancient farmers began to irrigate their fields to increase their crops, they were unwittingly poisoning the fields with salts and minerals. It’s ironic that the same technique that allowed Mesopotamia to thrive was the cause of its demise.
100
Donkey caravans and boats
How did traders travel in Ancient Mesopotamia? In northern Mesopotamia, away from the rivers, traders travelled on land using donkeys and caravans. In southern Mesopotamia, traders used ships to bring food, drinks, clothing, jewellery, wine and other goods up and down the rivers.
100
Cylinder Seals
How did ancient Mesopotamians sign their names? They used Cylinder seals, which were like a rolling stamp, a cylinder with carved designs all around it which would transfer when rolled onto clay.
100
Charles Leonard Woolley
Who discovered the Royal Tombs, or Death Pits, of Ur? Between the years of 1922 and 1934, Woolley discovered hundreds of graves, and specifically 16 royal tombs. These had expensive limestone floors, gold and lapis lazuli weapons, and many bodies of attendants who committed suicide to be buried with their king or queen, hoping to join them in the afterlife.
100
Hammurabi’s Code
What is the name given to a list of 282 laws created by King Hammurabi? Hammurabi’s Code covered every aspect of life. Everybody had to follow the laws, even the king. These laws were created to protect the weak from the strong.
200
Approximately 5000 BCE
When did Mesopotamian Society begin? 5000 BCE is when groups of early settlers probably wandered into the land between the two rivers. They may have taken over from others who lived there, and they settled down to live, surviving on the natural vegetation and wildlife. The river provided water for drinking, bathing, and watering plants and animals. Gradually, these people began to plant and irrigate their own crops. As their food supply grew, they could support more people, and cities were created. People began to trade with others to get what they needed and what they wanted.
200
cucumbers
What is one of the foods grown on ancient Mesopotamian farms? In addition to cucumbers, Mesopotamian farmers grew wheat, barley, dates, onions, apples, and spices, as well as raising sheep, goats, and cows. Many city dwellers would keep chickens in their courtyards. People also hunted wild birds and other animals. They enjoyed eating fish, cheese, roasted meat, breads, and wine.
200
Priests and Slaves
What are two of the levels of ancient Mesopotamian society? Other than the king, the priests were the top level of society. They were powerful, as well as working as doctors and helping to keep the gods happy. The upper class enjoyed a privileged life, and the lower class worked hard but were paid and lived a comfortable life. Slaves were generally people captured from conquered populations, although sometimes people needed to sell their families into slavery.
200
Marduk
Who was the chief god? Marduk became the chief god when he killed Tiamat, an evil goddess, by shooting an arrow through her mouth as she chased him with monsters, trying to slay him. He then broke her body in half to form the sky and earth. Her eyes cried out tears which became the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
200
Popular Mesopotamian board game
What are checkers? The ancient Mesopotamians invented and enjoyed playing checkers. Maybe King Hammurabi used some of the same amazing moves you’ve used to play against your grandpa!
300
Land between two rivers
What is the meaning of the word “Mesopotamia”? It means “Land between two rivers”. Another nickname of Mesopotamia is the Fertile Crescent, named for the nutrient-rich soil created by silt deposits from flooding rivers.
300
Pancakes, Trash-filled Streets, and 300 foot high temples.
What might you find in the streets of a Mesopotamian city? Pancakes were a favourite food, and the streets were often paved with clay to cover the trash piles. Ziggurats were often 300 feet high, and towered over the city. You might also see canals, donkeys, statues, tombs in people’s homes, festivals, shops, artwork, temples, libraries (filled with clay tablets), huge entrance gates, and officials keeping the laws enforced.
300
Perfection or Punishment
What was the general rule of ancient Mesopotamian schools? Perfection or Punishment. Only boys could go to school, which were taught by priests at the temples. Students wanted to be at school so they could learn how to read and write cuneiform, and make a good life for themselves.
300
Saw-toothed lightening dagger
What was Marduk’s symbol? He kept a saw-toothed lightening dagger in his belt, helping him to keep order in the heavens.
300
The Plow, the Plow Seeder, and Irrigation
What are some of the agricultural inventions that came from ancient Mesopotamia?
400
The Tigris and the Euphrates
What are the two main rivers in Mesopotamia? The Tigris and the Euphrates, both of which originate in the northern mountains and empty into the Persian Gulf.
400
courtyards and chickens
What might you find in a Mesopotamian home? In addition to a courtyard, often housing chickens and a garden, you would probably see a three-story dwelling made up sun-dried bricks. The roof would be an additional living area, and most homes shared walls with other homes. The front doors were often reached by descending on a staircase, because the level of the streets kept raising as the city paved over the trash with clay.
400
Harps, reed pipes, drums, and lyres
What are some of the musical instruments used by the ancient Mesopotamians? In addition to the musical instruments, Sumerians also created beautiful jewellery and colourful mosaics. The Assyrians loved to glorify their military achievements, so many of their paintings showed them winning wars.
400
Ziggurat
What is the name of the main Mesopotamian temple? These ziggurats were often over 300 feet high, and were centers of activity. From the top, where they often held formal religious ceremonies, you could see the entire town and the wall surrounding the city.
400
Base 60
What are some of the mathematical innovations of the ancient Mesopotamians? They created base 60 math, used today in time (60 seconds, 60 minutes), and the circle (360 degrees). They also used math to keep accurate records and to calculate taxes.
500
Iraq
What is the present-day location of Ancient Mesopotamia? Mainly southern Iraq. It covers an area of about 300 miles long and 150 miles wide. Mesopotamia is a small section of the much larger ‘Fertile Crescent’.
500
Monarchy and Democracy
What were the main types of government in Ancient Mesopotamia? Both Monarchy, because they had a hereditary king, and Democracy, because they had elected officials who made decisions for the people. Even the king had to ask permission for certain things.
500
Cuneiform
What was the name of the wedge-shaped writing used by the ancient Mesopotamians? Cuneiform was used to keep record of things, buying, selling, kings, histories, and even stories such as the Epic of Gilgamesh.
500
Enkidu
What is the name of the wild man who fought Gilgamesh? Enkidu, who was created by the gods to relief the boredom of Gilgamesh, was so strong he and Gilgamesh fought for hours, trying to defeat each other. Finally, they had created so much chaos, they started laughing, and became best of friends.
500
The Wheel
What is one of Ancient Mesopotamia’s greatest innovations? The wheel changed human life greatly, allowing people to build wagons to transport goods and to build war chariots. They also used the wheel as pulleys and potter’s wheels. Today, thanks to the Ancient Mesopotamians, we can watch shows like Wheel of Fortune.