Mesopotamia

Annotations:

• The first known civilization.

1. Religion

   Annotations:

   • Below is a link that explores Mesopotamian religion in more depth.  https://www.ancient.eu/amp/1-10151/
   1. Polytheism

      Annotations:

      • the belief in multiple Gods. Ancient Mespotamians prayed to more than 50 gods.
      1. Anu

         Annotations:

         • represented the sky and was considered to be the lead god.
      2. Enki

         Annotations:

         • represented water and was considered to be the "friendly god" among them. 
      3. Marduk

         Annotations:

         • Represented storms, war and kings. He was considered to be the mean god. In ancient myth, he sends a flood down to Earth to kill all the humans, but his plan goes wrong.
      4. Ishtar

         Annotations:

         • the goddess representing love, fertility, and war. She prevents Marduk from killing all humans with his flood.
2. Writing System
   1. Cuneiform

      Annotations:

      • the first known writing system. This writing system was written by cutting reed tips from marshes at an angle to make a pen. Writing was done by pressing and forming letters on a flat piece of clay. Below is a link to a video that includes an activity that examines the Cuneiform alphabet and shows you how to write your name in the language. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8qyUDDxcL8
      1. Deciphering the language

         Annotations:

         • Today, Cuneiform tablets that are found are deciphered using the Behistun inscription, which is found in modern day Iran
3. Education and Schools
   1. Edubba

      Annotations:

      • The Edubba was the name of primary and secondary school in Ancient Mesopotamia. It was a place of learning where archives and literature were stored on clay tablets.
      1. Primary School

         Annotations:

         • Only boys could attend school and they learned reading, writing, math and history.
      2. Secondary School

         Annotations:

         • Depending on their future career, boys learned a variety of subjects. They learned about law,  medicine, geography, zoology, botany, engineering and architecture.
   2. Subjects
      1. Space

         Annotations:

         • The Mesopotamians were very interested astronomy, astrology, and created the first planetariums. 
      2. Architecture

         Annotations:

         • The Mesopotamians created the first arches in recorded existence.
      3. Crafting

         Annotations:

         • Mesopotamian craftspeople were primarily glassmakers, jewelers, metalsmiths, and stone masons.
4. Laws
   1. Code of Hammurabi

      Annotations:

      • Harsh laws created by the ruler, Hammurabi. The laws are carved on an eight feet tall black stone, called a stele. The stele can now be found in the Louvre.  Below is a link that goes into more detail about Hammurabi's laws. http://avalon.law.yale.edu/ancient/hamframe.asp
      1. Punishments

         Annotations:

         • - The rich and famous typically received lighter punishments. - Examples: If an architect builds a home badly and it collapses on the owner, they will be put to death.  - If a physician kills a patient, they will lose their working hand through legal mutilation. 
5. Class System
   1. Social Structure

      Annotations:

      • At the top of the hierarchy was the ruler. He was then followed by important nobles and high priests. Following them would be commoners in the middle class, such as craftspeople and merchants. At the bottom of the hierarchy would be slaves and peasants. 
6. Men and Women
   1. Men

      Annotations:

      • When people first began setting down instead of hunting and gathering, men were tasked with domesticating and raising animals. As time went on, society became more patriarchal. 
   2. Women

      Annotations:

      • Below is a link provided by the University of Chicago that goes into more depth about the roles of women in Mesopotamia. http://mesopotamia.lib.uchicago.edu/mesopotamialife/article.php?theme=Role%20of%20Women 
      1. Jobs

         Annotations:

         • At first, the job of the women was to gather and plant seeds for crops. As time passed, women began working more and more in the home.
      2. Women's Rights

         Annotations:

         • Although they weren't allowed to attend school, noblewomen in Mesopotamia were allowed to divorce easily, buy property that they could pass on and own businesses. Women who wished to receive an education had to be taught at home either by a parent or a hired tutor. There was also legal protection in place for noblewomen.