![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/5/24555025/1384352983.jpg)
Organized Government
Ancient Mesopotamia government was a mixture of democracy and monarchy.
Kings ruled the people, but there was an official Assembly that elected the
king, and had to give the king permission to do certain things. Sumerian Laws
weren’t written down but everybody knew them and the consequences. Babylonian
laws were pretty much Sumerian Laws written down. Some Hammurabi's laws are; If
any one ensnare another, putting a ban upon him, but he cannot prove it, than he
who ensnared him shall be put to death, If he satisfy the elders to impose a
fine of grain or money, he shall receive the fine that the action produces, If
any one steal the property of a temple or of the court, he shall be put to
death, and also the one who receives the stolen thing shall be put to death. As
you can see there laws were very
strict.
Ancient Mesopotamia government was a mixture of democracy and monarchy.
Kings ruled the people, but there was an official Assembly that elected the
king, and had to give the king permission to do certain things. Sumerian Laws
weren’t written down but everybody knew them and the consequences. Babylonian
laws were pretty much Sumerian Laws written down. Some Hammurabi's laws are; If
any one ensnare another, putting a ban upon him, but he cannot prove it, than he
who ensnared him shall be put to death, If he satisfy the elders to impose a
fine of grain or money, he shall receive the fine that the action produces, If
any one steal the property of a temple or of the court, he shall be put to
death, and also the one who receives the stolen thing shall be put to death. As
you can see there laws were very
strict.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/5/24555025/9415739.jpg?1384352970)
Developed cities
Mesopotamia developed around 3500 B.C. Each city had its own King
and own God and was an independent city-state. There government was not good, so there were a lot of state wars. States would fight each other over land boundaries, and sometimes just to prove their strength, which probably had an effect on their decline.In Mesopotamia you would find irrigation canals, walled in claves, Garden Of Eden, Temple of Marduk and the Tower of Babel.
Mesopotamia developed around 3500 B.C. Each city had its own King
and own God and was an independent city-state. There government was not good, so there were a lot of state wars. States would fight each other over land boundaries, and sometimes just to prove their strength, which probably had an effect on their decline.In Mesopotamia you would find irrigation canals, walled in claves, Garden Of Eden, Temple of Marduk and the Tower of Babel.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/5/24555025/6971169.png?1384352956)
Formalized Religion
To Mesopotamia the purpose of live in peace with the gods. They believed Earth was made from the god Apsu. They also believed the sky was the goddess Tiamat, and people were made from the remains of the god Quingu.Mesopotamian religion was polytheistic and henotheistic. Meaning there are many gods and goddesses but some are more superior to others. Every god has a priest, temple and a traditional ritual and there were hundreds of temples that you can find in each city. To worship the Gods people would place carved stone human figures with wide eyes and clasped hands to pray on behalf of the Mesopotamian people.
To Mesopotamia the purpose of live in peace with the gods. They believed Earth was made from the god Apsu. They also believed the sky was the goddess Tiamat, and people were made from the remains of the god Quingu.Mesopotamian religion was polytheistic and henotheistic. Meaning there are many gods and goddesses but some are more superior to others. Every god has a priest, temple and a traditional ritual and there were hundreds of temples that you can find in each city. To worship the Gods people would place carved stone human figures with wide eyes and clasped hands to pray on behalf of the Mesopotamian people.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/5/24555025/8110081.png?1384352941)
Division of labor and Social class
Mesopotamia had 3 main classes; government officials, nobles and
priests were at the top. Merchants, artisans, craftsman, and farmers were in the middle. Prisoners of war and slaves were bottom class. Commoners were considered free citizens and were protected by the government. Unlike many other civilizations women could own land, own businesses, divorce their husbands, and could even rule.
Mesopotamia had 3 main classes; government officials, nobles and
priests were at the top. Merchants, artisans, craftsman, and farmers were in the middle. Prisoners of war and slaves were bottom class. Commoners were considered free citizens and were protected by the government. Unlike many other civilizations women could own land, own businesses, divorce their husbands, and could even rule.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/5/24555025/1384435063.jpg)
Record Keeping and writing
Mesopotamia developed some of the world’s earliest writing systems in the world in 3000 B.C by the Sumerians. The system was created so records could be made. The system started with pictures and signs drawings on clay tablets. The signs could mean a whole word, a syllable, or a sound. Samarians believed in education, record keeping was very important to them. They started making wedged shaped symbols for objects and ideas instead of using pictures. This form of writing is call Cuneiform. Samarians would make lists of almost everything. Their household goods, court activities, and even kings who were empowered.
Mesopotamia developed some of the world’s earliest writing systems in the world in 3000 B.C by the Sumerians. The system was created so records could be made. The system started with pictures and signs drawings on clay tablets. The signs could mean a whole word, a syllable, or a sound. Samarians believed in education, record keeping was very important to them. They started making wedged shaped symbols for objects and ideas instead of using pictures. This form of writing is call Cuneiform. Samarians would make lists of almost everything. Their household goods, court activities, and even kings who were empowered.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/5/5/24555025/4214226.jpg?1384352883)
Art and Architecture
Mesopotamian art was mostly made from stone, shells, alabaster,
and marble. Their art work shows their lifestyle, religion, and belief. Most of
their art work can be found in Sumerian, Acadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian.
There work dates back to 3500 B.C. Their art was originally to glorify rulers
and there divinity. Mesopotamia palaces were highly decorated and had solid
ivory furniture. Palaces were socionamic institution and were later used as
workshops, store, houses, and shrines. Everyone lived in a house made from mud
bricks, plaster, and wood. Poor people had small homes; wealthier people had 2
story high homes. The 3rd wonder of the world, The Hanging Gardens, is in
Mesopotamia. It is said that Nebuchadnezzar built it for his wife. No evidence
was gathered by government until the 20th century.
Mesopotamian art was mostly made from stone, shells, alabaster,
and marble. Their art work shows their lifestyle, religion, and belief. Most of
their art work can be found in Sumerian, Acadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian.
There work dates back to 3500 B.C. Their art was originally to glorify rulers
and there divinity. Mesopotamia palaces were highly decorated and had solid
ivory furniture. Palaces were socionamic institution and were later used as
workshops, store, houses, and shrines. Everyone lived in a house made from mud
bricks, plaster, and wood. Poor people had small homes; wealthier people had 2
story high homes. The 3rd wonder of the world, The Hanging Gardens, is in
Mesopotamia. It is said that Nebuchadnezzar built it for his wife. No evidence
was gathered by government until the 20th century.