All About Mesopotamia
The Land Between Two Rivers: It's Climate and Geography
Mesopotamia meaning "the land between two rivers" (in ancient Greek) but it is named that way because it is literally between two rivers! The Tigris and Euphrates River between those two rivers was where Mesopotamia once was. It was a part of an area known as the Fertile Crescent an arch of land so huge that it went from the northern end of the Persia Gulf to the Nile River valley in Egypt. Its climate was really scorching hot!! in August it was about 40 degrees Celsius and 104 degrees Fahrenheit so imagine if Mesopotamia had cars and since there were less trees imagine how polluted Mesopotamia would be if they produced emissions from riding it.
The precipitation is really low while Vancouver B.C. Canada has 1167 millimetres of rain annually, Mesopotamia has 138 mm of rain which is the thickness of 6 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books. In the spring, fields flooded by a lot, and in the late summer, farmer's crops had been burnt by the hot sun.
The precipitation is really low while Vancouver B.C. Canada has 1167 millimetres of rain annually, Mesopotamia has 138 mm of rain which is the thickness of 6 Diary of a Wimpy Kid Books. In the spring, fields flooded by a lot, and in the late summer, farmer's crops had been burnt by the hot sun.
The Government of Mesopotamia And Its Laws
The Mesopotamians created democracy but the Ancient Greeks made it famous. Usually in each province there would be an Assembly elected by the people and those who served the Assembly would also rule the people and even the King had to ask the Assembly to do certain things!!
Mesopotamian Laws: The Mesopotamians had a tablet which was their constitution called the Code of Ur-Nammu which states that:
1. If a man commits a murder, or a robbery that man must be killed.
2.If a man commits a kidnapping he should pay 15 shekels (one of the currencies of Mesopotamia) and be imprisoned.
3. And if you sleep with another woman you shall be killed.
there are more but I don't want to bore you with too much laws.
As you can see without Mesopotamia we wouldn't have our constitution nor would we have democracy!
Mesopotamian Laws: The Mesopotamians had a tablet which was their constitution called the Code of Ur-Nammu which states that:
1. If a man commits a murder, or a robbery that man must be killed.
2.If a man commits a kidnapping he should pay 15 shekels (one of the currencies of Mesopotamia) and be imprisoned.
3. And if you sleep with another woman you shall be killed.
there are more but I don't want to bore you with too much laws.
As you can see without Mesopotamia we wouldn't have our constitution nor would we have democracy!
The Classes of People
Yet, Even though people had the right of democracy. Well there were still classes of people that were treated differently. First there were Priests who were way more powerful that that of the Upper Class, the Lower Class, and most definitely the slaves, they were doctors and were actual priests. so lets say you are sick you would call in a priest. And Priests are to make sure that they make the gods happy or else there would be consequence from the king. You can tell that people are priests if they have bald heads. Then there were upper class people, who wore jewellery made out of actual gold. Men wore skirts and had really long beards, and hair, Women wore dresses off one shoulder, and had braided or wore up their hair then there were the lower classes who were just average citizens they didn't really have the luxury of the rich. they had fake jewellery but they fool wed new fashion every time. but they got paid. Then there were the slaves who were really prisoners and worked for the king.
Gods, Goddesses, and Demons
Adad
Amuru Anu Anzu Apsu Ashur Bull-Man Bull Of Heaven Enlil Ea Marduk Tiamat |
God of Storms
God of Nomadic Peoples and their flocks God of the Sky Giant Bird With a Lion's Head The Sweet Waters Of the Heavens God Of the Stars Mesopotamian Version of the Minotaur Mesopotamian Version of Taurus God Of The Wind God of Water and Wisdom King Of the Gods, The Sun,Son of Ea The Salty Waters of Chaos |
The Mythicanus World
This is the story of Marduk, a god who defeated the Goddess Timiat:
A long time there lived Apsu who was the sweet waters of the humans, who was mated with Timiat and soon they had children, and with the first generation was from Ea and his brothers. Ea was always surging through the waters and Apsu and Timiat had never got any rest and because of this he wanted to plan his their demise but Ea found out and killed him. Ea had made a war between the gods. Timiat sad, had created monsters from the deadliest part of Chaos to avenge for Apsu, by then Ea had already birthed a son named Marduk. And had battled, the goods gods had promised him if he could slay Timiat, he would be the King of the Gods. Timiat had created the worst monsters out of the darkest parts of Chaos, and soon she had come up as a dragon and soon he put a hurricane through her mouth and had cracked the inside of her and soon he made the land of the earth. Soon he became the king of the gods.
A long time there lived Apsu who was the sweet waters of the humans, who was mated with Timiat and soon they had children, and with the first generation was from Ea and his brothers. Ea was always surging through the waters and Apsu and Timiat had never got any rest and because of this he wanted to plan his their demise but Ea found out and killed him. Ea had made a war between the gods. Timiat sad, had created monsters from the deadliest part of Chaos to avenge for Apsu, by then Ea had already birthed a son named Marduk. And had battled, the goods gods had promised him if he could slay Timiat, he would be the King of the Gods. Timiat had created the worst monsters out of the darkest parts of Chaos, and soon she had come up as a dragon and soon he put a hurricane through her mouth and had cracked the inside of her and soon he made the land of the earth. Soon he became the king of the gods.
The Foods of Mesopotamia
Mesopotamians had one food in common: barley. They made barley by grounding the seed into flour. They used the flour with other things to make flat bread which they served with olive or sesame oil. Farmers usually grew grapes,peas, garlic, beans, lettuce, cucumbers, apples, and figs. Groves of date palms provided sweet fruit. Large herds of sheep and goats contributed to milk and cheeses. There were also pigs, chickens, and cows but meat was considered a special treat, Mesopotamian hunted doves, ducks, geese, gazelles (a types of antelope),wild bulls, hares, wild sheep, and onagers.
Education: The School Life of Mesopotamia
Mesopotamians always believed in education. They wrote in this language called cuneiform which was the language of pictures this made art and writing collide into each other at the same time. Yet, however like the Ancient Greeks, only boys went to schools. Girls helped with chores when their brothers go to school. Schools were usually attached temples, soon there was inside of the school where teachers would whip students if they didn't do a perfect job but yet, if you could read and write in Mesopotamia you could get a job.
The Women of Mesopotamia
Women in Mesopotamia had way more rights than women in Ancient Greece. Women could go freely to the marketplace , own property, become priestesses, handle legal issues, start their own business. Some Women even had jobs that involved running the Government.
The Trade and Commerce Of Mesopotamia
The Mesopotamians would usually trade with other countries because they want to earn money. They would usually put their food, drinks, clothes, jewelry, wine for trading. And usually the Assyrians (North Mesopotamians) were really famous traders and they would usually go by caravan, and by donkey and because of this they didn't ruin their products.
Inventions
Irrigation:
Farmers in ancient Sumer grew imported crops like barley in a land without much rainfall and with a limited water supply. One of the ways that they were able to do this was through developing a system for controlling the flow and direction of water from the river. This was called irrigation.
Canals and irrigation ditches were built for redirecting the water to the fields used for farming. Regulators were then used to raise and lower the water levels in the canals and ditches so the water could be used by the farmers.
During the growing season, each farmer was allowed only a certain amount of water. When it was a farmer's turn to water his fields the regulator was adjusted so that water ran from the canal into an irrigation ditch which ran alongside the farmer's fields. The farmer could then water his fields.
The Wheel:
The Mesopotamians first invented the wheel. They connected it to vehicles called chariots. It got them to places they wanted to go quickly. It was one of the biggest achievements in history. Without the wheel we wouldn't be here today. We wouldn't have all the cities and towns without the wheel. That is why the wheel is so important. And we wouldn't have cylinders nor would we haves spheres.
Checkers:
The Mesopotamians first invented Checkers but at first it was called "Draughts" and it was played a different way: the goal was to get to other side and slay all of your opponents soldiers.
Shoes:
The Mesopotamians created the first shoes and sandals which didn't really have the left and right but it was designed to fit each foot. IT was not that comfortable, there was straps on the body of the sandals.
Farming:
The Mesopotamians were the first to create fruits and vegetables. After the animal population was running out Mesopotamians had created vegetables, and tamed these prehistoric animals into what we know today.
Farmers in ancient Sumer grew imported crops like barley in a land without much rainfall and with a limited water supply. One of the ways that they were able to do this was through developing a system for controlling the flow and direction of water from the river. This was called irrigation.
Canals and irrigation ditches were built for redirecting the water to the fields used for farming. Regulators were then used to raise and lower the water levels in the canals and ditches so the water could be used by the farmers.
During the growing season, each farmer was allowed only a certain amount of water. When it was a farmer's turn to water his fields the regulator was adjusted so that water ran from the canal into an irrigation ditch which ran alongside the farmer's fields. The farmer could then water his fields.
The Wheel:
The Mesopotamians first invented the wheel. They connected it to vehicles called chariots. It got them to places they wanted to go quickly. It was one of the biggest achievements in history. Without the wheel we wouldn't be here today. We wouldn't have all the cities and towns without the wheel. That is why the wheel is so important. And we wouldn't have cylinders nor would we haves spheres.
Checkers:
The Mesopotamians first invented Checkers but at first it was called "Draughts" and it was played a different way: the goal was to get to other side and slay all of your opponents soldiers.
Shoes:
The Mesopotamians created the first shoes and sandals which didn't really have the left and right but it was designed to fit each foot. IT was not that comfortable, there was straps on the body of the sandals.
Farming:
The Mesopotamians were the first to create fruits and vegetables. After the animal population was running out Mesopotamians had created vegetables, and tamed these prehistoric animals into what we know today.
Kingdoms of Mesopotamia:
Summerian Kingdom
Cities developed in a region of southern Mesopotamia that we call Sumer. The Sumerians themselves called the region Kalam, meaning "the Land." They lived in cities that were surrounded by small settlements and farmland. City-dwellers lived in mud- brick houses, and intone some people became craftworkers and traders. Some cities took over the nearby area, becoming city-states and then some even conquered their neighbours as their kingdoms grew. Each city was dedicated to a god and led by a king, who thought to have been chosen by the gods. As the farming population qrew, small settlements became town and cities. Successful harvests and storing of food meant that some people had time to do other things, such as to make jewellery or build temples. In order to control irrigation and organize people, a hierarchy grew up and led to the rule of kings. For defence against others, cities were walled. They were each dominated by a temple, which served as a house on Earth for the city's individual god. Some People didn't like the Summerian's rule and soon in 1500 B.C. 7 new kingdoms had begun.
Babylonian Kingdom
About a thousand years after the ancient Sumerians settled in the land between two rivers, two new civilizations arose.
One was the warrior civilization of the Assyrians in northern Mesopotamia. The other was the ancient civilization of Babylonia. Babylonia was located in southern Mesopotamia, near the Persian Gulf. Babylonia had a long history. The people achieved a high level of civilization. In 3500 B.C , Babylon was a remarkable place. It was an enormous walled city, with a network of canals and bright green crops. Even from a distance, visitors could see the top of A 300-foot high ziggurat long before they reached the huge city gates.One of the most dynamic sites was Procession Avenue, the street that led into the city. Enormous brick animals were positioned along both sides of the avenue. The avenue passed under the Ishtar Gates, the elaborate gate to the walled city. The gates were designed with dragons and bulls in honor of the god Marduk.
Once inside the walls that protected the ancient city of Babylon, visitors and traders found many wondrous things to buy, like fresh fruits and vegetables, baked breads and cheese, warm coats, gold jewelry, and date wine.
Inside the wall, life teemed. There was no suburban or country living in ancient Babylon. The people had homes inside the walls of the city. Homes were comfortable. Even the very poor, who lived in tiny townhouses, usually had three levels of living space. Once you reached your home, it was spacious and comfortable. But sometimes, it was hard to get home. Inside the wall, the streets were narrow and unpaved. Streets or alleys provided access to everyone's front door.Now and then, the city covered the streets with a new layer of clay. To get inside their homes, people had to build steps down to their front door, or fill in the space between the new street and punch in a new door. We also know about the great king Hammurabi. Babylonian culture was based on law. Everybody had to obey the law. Hammurabi wrote down and made all the laws of ancient Babylonia so that everyone had to obey the law equally, rich and poor. The ancient Sumerians worshipped Marduk, but to the ancient Babylonians, Marduk was the most important god of all. When King Hammurabi declared Babylon to be the capital of Babylonia, he built the city of Babylon in Marduk's honor. Babylonia religious activities were centered around the temple, a ziggurat. Like the Sumerians, the Babylonians held complicated festivals and had many different kinds of priests. Their priests spent most of their time driving away evil spirits. Babylonia was a fascinating place with its snug homes, fair laws, flourishing crops, and gloomy gods.
One was the warrior civilization of the Assyrians in northern Mesopotamia. The other was the ancient civilization of Babylonia. Babylonia was located in southern Mesopotamia, near the Persian Gulf. Babylonia had a long history. The people achieved a high level of civilization. In 3500 B.C , Babylon was a remarkable place. It was an enormous walled city, with a network of canals and bright green crops. Even from a distance, visitors could see the top of A 300-foot high ziggurat long before they reached the huge city gates.One of the most dynamic sites was Procession Avenue, the street that led into the city. Enormous brick animals were positioned along both sides of the avenue. The avenue passed under the Ishtar Gates, the elaborate gate to the walled city. The gates were designed with dragons and bulls in honor of the god Marduk.
Once inside the walls that protected the ancient city of Babylon, visitors and traders found many wondrous things to buy, like fresh fruits and vegetables, baked breads and cheese, warm coats, gold jewelry, and date wine.
Inside the wall, life teemed. There was no suburban or country living in ancient Babylon. The people had homes inside the walls of the city. Homes were comfortable. Even the very poor, who lived in tiny townhouses, usually had three levels of living space. Once you reached your home, it was spacious and comfortable. But sometimes, it was hard to get home. Inside the wall, the streets were narrow and unpaved. Streets or alleys provided access to everyone's front door.Now and then, the city covered the streets with a new layer of clay. To get inside their homes, people had to build steps down to their front door, or fill in the space between the new street and punch in a new door. We also know about the great king Hammurabi. Babylonian culture was based on law. Everybody had to obey the law. Hammurabi wrote down and made all the laws of ancient Babylonia so that everyone had to obey the law equally, rich and poor. The ancient Sumerians worshipped Marduk, but to the ancient Babylonians, Marduk was the most important god of all. When King Hammurabi declared Babylon to be the capital of Babylonia, he built the city of Babylon in Marduk's honor. Babylonia religious activities were centered around the temple, a ziggurat. Like the Sumerians, the Babylonians held complicated festivals and had many different kinds of priests. Their priests spent most of their time driving away evil spirits. Babylonia was a fascinating place with its snug homes, fair laws, flourishing crops, and gloomy gods.