Urbanization and Civilization in the Region of Mesopotamia

Objectives:
 Students will be able to define such terms involving urbanization and civilization
of Mesopotamia.
 Students will be able to create a discussion that tackles about urbanization and
civilization of Mesopotamia.
 Students will be able to share with the class their insights about Mesopotamia.

Neolithic Revolution (7000-500 BCE)

 People learned to grow wheat, barley and other plants. This ensured a regular
source of food and people no longer had to depend on foraging and hunting.
 A regular source of food led to population growth.
 Society changed because of the need to stay in one place.
 Communal activities and projects focused on irrigation and storage for harvest.
 New implements developed such as the plow, bolo and knife.
 The other important invention is wheel which was first used in Mesopotamia.
 The first domesticated animals goats, pigs, cow and sheep. This animals assured
a steady of source of food, clothing and housing materials.
 Population growth produced a variety of occupation.
 Pottery and textiles-weaving also developed.

Chalcolithic Period

 This period known for its discovery and use of copper followed by Neolithic
Revolution.
 The wheeled transportation is trend also to carry heavy cargo over long distance.
 People started using metal to manufacture agricultural implements as well as
weapons.
 Religion also shifted from animism towards the fertility cults that conducted rituals
in order to make lands productive.

Mesopotamia and the Rise of the Cities

Mesopotamia (Fertile Crescent)

 Fertile river valley that shape like a half-moon or crescent.
 The word “Mesopotamia” is a Greek word meaning “the land between the rivers.”
 Tigris and Euphrates Rivers (twin River)
 The water of that two rivers came from the mountains of America then flows
down to the Persian Gulf .

The Geography of Mesopotamia

 Mesopotamia was divided into two regions; Assyrian-North (Dry and rocky, was
more suitable for grazing animals.) Babylon-South (Focused on agriculture,
because of its vast plains.)
 The major portion of the Mesopotamian valley is was in Sumer, this area is
hazardous because of the annual flooding, the land was fertile and easy to
 cultivate. Fishes were abundant and the fertile soil assured a regular supply of
food.

Sumerian Civilization
 Sumerian settled in the plains of the Tigris and Euphrates, were ideal for their
planting, they established settlements surrounded by wall. The wall was made by
bricks.
 Sumerians built the first Mesopotamian city Known as Ur this city is called the
Abraham city in our old testament.

Characteristics of Sumerian Civilization

Technological Innovations
 Bricks –use in constructing buildings and houses.
 Plow and sickle –implements in new farming.
 Wheel -to bring merchandise to places that not could be reach.

Writing system
 Pictogram- the symbols was written with a stylus on clay tablets.
 Ideograms- illustrated not only objects but also ideas and thoughts.
 Phonogram- symbols is now represented sounds.
 Cuneiform- writing using wedge-shaped strokes (700 symbols)

Mathematics
 Owing to the volume and quantity of trade and the requirements of city
governance the Sumerians invented the mathematical system using symbols to
expedite trade transaction. Thousands of tablets from this people show doing
multiplication, area computation, square roots, linear and quadratic equations
and geometric constructions.

Religion
 Anu- the lord of heaven
 Enlil- the lord of the land.
 Enki- the lord of the sea.
 Ziggurat- is a temple of Ur. (founded in 2100 BCE under patronage of Nanna the
God of the moon.

Literature
 Epic of Gilgamesh- the most popular epics or stories of heroes of Sumer.

Government
 Priest- he made decisions on trades, agriculture, tax collection, irrigation, the
construction of buildings or canals and many other more.
 King- he was assigned by priest to decision making and his position will inherit
from ones father.
 Code of Hammurabi – 282 legal provisions on family rights, trade, slavery,
taxation, and the price of goods. The laws reflected the inequality between men
and women.
Political History
 The first dynasty in the city of Ur was established in 2500 BCE. The Ur was
conquered by the forces of Sargon of Agade who became king of Sumer. When
he died his two sons and grandson named Naramsin occupied the throne in
succession.
 The Gutians invaded the kingdom of Naramsin. The Gutians were nomads from
northeast and they dominated Sumer for almost a hundred years.
 The new dynasty of Sumerian overthrew the Gutians, it was known as the third
Ur dynasty during this period the arts along with Sumerian Civilization flourished
until Ur was taken by the forces Of Hammurabi.
 Hammurabi restored Babylon’s political and cultural influence in Summer.

REFERENCE:
Fornier, J.N, Banasihan, M. et’al (2006): ASIA, History, Civilization, and Culture,
Anvil Publishing Inc.
 Urbanization and Civilization in the Region of Mesopotamia

Pre –Test

Exercise 1
Identification: Write the correct answer.

__________1. This period shows that people learned to grow wheat, barley and other
plants. This ensured a regular source of food and people no longer had to depend on
foraging and hunting.
__________2. This period known for its discovery and use of copper followed by
Neolithic Revolution.
__________3. It is a Greek word meaning “the land between the rivers.”
__________4. Built the first Mesopotamian city Known as Ur this city is called the
Abraham city in our old testament.
__________5. Use in constructing buildings and houses.
__________6.. The Lord of the sea.
__________7. A temple of Ur founded in 2100 BCE under patronage of Nanna the God
of the moon.
__________8. He restored Babylon’s political and cultural influence in Sumer.
__________9. A writing system that illustrated not only objects but also ideas and
thoughts.
__________10. He made decisions on trades, agriculture, tax collection, irrigation, the
construction of buildings or canals and many other more.

Exercise 2
Direction: Enumerate the following
Writing System of Sumerian
1.
2.
3.
4.
Religion of Sumerian
5.
6.
7.
Two Regions in Mesopotamia
8.
9.
Literature in Sumerian
10.

Exercise 3
Essay: Give your opinion involving Mesopotamia. (5pts. Each)

1. Describe the development of Mesopotamian civilization. Provide a chronology

and description of sites.

2. What role does a "formal government" play in the operation of a state society?
 Urbanization and Civilization in the Region of Mesopotamia

Answer Key
Exercise 1
1. Neolithic Period
2. Chalcolithic Period
3. Mesopotamia
4. Sumerians
5. Bricks
6. Enki
7. Ziggurat
8. Hammurabi
9. Ideogram
10. Priest

Exercise 2
1. Pictogram
2. Ideogram
3. Phonogram
4. Cuneiform
5. Anu
6. Enlil
7. Enki
8. Assyrian North
9. Babylon South
10. Epic of Gilgamesh

Exercise 3
Essay
 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Santa Cruz, Main Campus
Province of Laguna

Urbanization and
Civilization in the
Region of
Mesopotamia

Submitted by:

Jefferson G. Arvesu
BSEd III-C Social Science

Submitted to:

Dr. Ray Samuel Grecalda

 Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Santa Cruz, Main Campus
Province of Laguna

Portfolio
in
Major 11
Submitted by:

Jefferson G. Arvesu
BSEd III-C Social Science

Submitted to:

Dr. Ray Samuel Grecalda

Republic of the Philippines
Laguna State Polytechnic University
Santa Cruz, Main Campus
 Province of Laguna

Portfolio
in
Major 11
Submitted by:

Ramirez, Rose Anna Marie L.

BSEd III-C Social Science

Submitted to:

Dr. Ray Samuel Grecalda