Topic 3: Mesopotamian

Civilization

Sumerian
Babylonian

Fertile Crescent

Geography

Natural conditions
Warm and dry climate
Annual flooding
Abundance of dates
Periodic epidemics
Insufficient rainfall
Lack of natural barriers

Mesopotamia: Challenges

Preserving the
moisture of the soil

Protection from
external attacks

Political system

Loose confederation of city states

Econom
y Based on agriculture and
trade
Most of the property owned by the
rich
Ample harvest
Imported metal and
timber
Use of LC,Bills for
Business
Written agreements for business
deals

Society
Upper
Middle
Lower

Sumerian Family
Patriarchal
Practice of monogamy
Marriage by written agreement
Divorce permitted
Reverse dowry

Achievements
Legal Code
Lex Talionis (Law of Retaliation)
Semi-private administration of

justice
Inequality before the law
Inadequate distinction between
intentional and accidental killing

Religion
Polytheism
Anthropomorphic human qualities

attributed to gods good and evil at the

same time
Religion for this world little concern for
afterlife
Religion connected with material
interests
Temple - Ziggurat

Ziggurat

Sumerian Writing : Cuneiform

Sumerian Art

Sumerian Pottery

Babylonian Civilization
Babylonian Empire

King Hammurabi

Code of Hammurabi
28 paragraphs and 282 clauses
# Laws made to suit the
needs of a centralized empire
# Active role played by the
kings officers in apprehending
and punishing offenders
# More severe punishment
than Sumerian Lex Talionis
# protection of property and
life,
promotion of agriculture and
business

Babylonian Economy
Private enterprise well protected and
regulated by law
Prosperous economy
Cultivating land and taking care of
canals was obligatory

Babylonian Religion
Polytheistic & anthropomorphic
Not concerned about afterlife
Influence of superstitions and magic

Science
Progress in algebra, geometry and

astronomy
Luni-solar Calendar
Divided year into 12 months & 354 days
One leap month 3 times in 8 years
Divided week into 7 days
Maps
Practice of medicine and surgery

Babylonian Architecture

Hanging Gardens of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar II)