Overview
This lecture covers the history of Mesopotamia, including its social structure, the development of writing, political changes, legal codes, and the rise and fall of empires.
Early Mesopotamian Society
- Mesopotamia means "land between rivers," between the Tigris and Euphrates.
- Early cities practiced proto-socialism, collecting crops in public storehouses and distributing wages in grain.
- The division between city and country life was significant and a recurring theme in Mesopotamian culture.
City-States and Religion
- City-states like Uruk featured large temples (ziggurats) and canal systems.
- Priests held power by communicating with unpredictable, sometimes harsh gods.
- Over time, kings emerged, often combining political and religious authority.
The Invention of Writing
- Cuneiform, the first system of writing, was created primarily for recordkeeping (e.g., trade and taxes).
- Literacy created class divisions between those who could read/write and those who couldn't.
- Writing marked the beginning of recorded history and was crucial for administration and trade.
Political Evolution and Law
- City-states gave way to territorial kingdoms due to environmental changes and nomadic invasions.
- Kings replaced earlier proto-socialism with private enterprise, collecting taxes for state stability.
- Rule became hereditary, with kings expanding power beyond single cities.
Hammurabi and Legal Codes
- Hammurabi, ruler of Babylon (1792–1750 BCE), is known for his harsh but influential law code.
- His code introduced the idea of presumption of innocence, though punishments were severe.
- Hammurabi portrayed himself as a shepherd and father, shifting authority from gods to rulers.
The Assyrian Empire
- The Assyrians formed one of the first empires, expanding via military strength and harsh tactics.
- Their army was a meritocracy and engaged in practices like mass deportation and terror.
- The king represented the god Ashur, and continual conquest was seen as necessary for world order.
- The empire fell due to overextension and failure after military defeat (612 BCE).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Mesopotamia — Region between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, site of early civilizations.
- Proto-Socialism — Early economic system where goods were shared and distributed by the state.
- City-State — Independent, self-governing city and its surrounding territory.
- Ziggurat — Monumental temple structure in Mesopotamian cities.
- Cuneiform — First system of writing, used for recordkeeping.
- Territorial Kingdom — State ruled by a king controlling multiple cities and large territories.
- Hammurabi’s Code — Early written law code establishing rules and punishments in Babylon.
- Empire — Large, multi-ethnic state ruled by a central authority (e.g., Assyria).
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read the Epic of Gilgamesh (link provided in video info).
- Prepare for next lecture on Ancient Egypt.