HIST 1001 Chapter : Mesopotamian Civilization
Document Summary
Ancient greeks believed everything east of them were backwards, barbarians. Old middle east where the first neolithic people farmed. The middle east is a crossroads/juncture between multiple populations. Mesopotamia (greek word for land between the rivers )- roughly the equivalent to modern day iraq. These neolithic civilizations formed generally around river systems because the fertile valleys allowed for agriculture growth. The rivers were also good for transportation of goods and people. The lower region of the mesopotamian delta produced the first towns known as sumer (3500 bce). Biggest buildings in the towns were ziggurats-temples dedicated to divine powers. Priestly and political elite controlled society, maybe 10%. The notion of the rigid social system was a hallmark of the civilization. The sumerians started to develop things such as: the plow, the wheel, sailing ships, weapons, the potter"s wheel, brewing, and most importantly they were the first to create writing (cuneiform). Special scribes were trained to master the art of writing.
