HST 111 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Mesopotamia, Fertile Crescent, Imperial Units
Document Summary
Sumerian - dominant culture and language in southern mesopotamia. Lacking in hardwoods (no forests), hard and ornamental stone, metals. Tigris (faster, flooded often) and euphrates (slower moving) Wealth (from donations) accumulated was used for the temples for further honor of the gods, disaster relief, long-distance business ventures, etc. Sumerians feared the wrath of the gods. Mesopotamian social hierarchy - result of population concentration. Needed a way of organization to solve disputes, plan out cities. Saw no man as immortal, contrast to egyptians. Dependent commoners: no lands, but not slaves. Slaves: from welfare, convicted criminals, debt slaves. Mesopotamian kings needed something to distinguish themselves from. Used to build palaces and temples for the gods. Mesopotamian cylinder seals - objects of administration and identity. To glorify them, separate them from commoners. 5th king of uruk (c. 2750-2500 bce) Gilgamesh named on the sumerian king list. Destroyed their city walls, forbade their soldiers from. Set them under his governors and administrators.
