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WRITE YOUR NAME IN HIEROGLYPHS AS TODAY’S BELLRINGER!!

Ancient Civilizations

Mesopotamia & Ancient Egypt are the earliest known civilizations.

Mesopotamia

“The Land between the Rivers”

Mesopotamia“The Land between the Rivers”

FYI: Ziggurats were the most prominent structures in Mesopotamian cities. They were “stepped” with a temple at the very top. Some were as much as 150 feet tall. Ziggurats were religious centers and the community was proud of them.

Located between the Tigris & Euphrates Rivers

First cities & schools Part of the Fertile Crescent First irrigation systems and first plow 12 month calendar Practiced polytheism First people to write down laws and keep

written records Wrote the first story (the “Epic of Gilgamesh”) The ideas of 60-minutes = one hour, 60

seconds = one minute, & 360 degrees in a circle

Began the “Eye for an Eye” policy (Code of Hammurabi)

Legendary “Hanging Gardens”

Ancient Egypt

The Nile River Valley

Ancient Egypt

FYI: Currently, there are 110 pyramids found in Egypt.

Began in the Nile River Valley The Nile is the world’s longest river (4,160

miles) Depended on the river for survival Ruled by pharaohs Created mummies for the dead Built large tombs called pyramids Wrote in hieroglyphics Created a number system based on 10 Used fractions in math Developed geometry Great advances in medicine (splints,

bandages, compresses) Taken over by Greece & Rome

Similarities between Mesopotamia & Ancient Egypt

FYI: The Rosetta Stone is considered the key to modern deciphering of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. It was discovered in 1799 by Napoleon’s army but it was soon put in British hands when Napoleon was defeated in 1801. The stone is inscribed with a decree written three times: in hieroglyphic (suitable for a priestly decree), demotic (the native script used for daily purposes), and Greek (the language of the administration).

Developed near rivers Had written languages Worshipped many gods

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

Three World Religions

Judaism

Founded in 1800 B.C.

Originated in Israel Abraham, Moses, & the Torah

(the Hebrew bible) Worship one God Believe God knows everything

and has complete power Believe Israelites are God’s

chosen people Follow the Ten Commandments

and the laws of the Torah

Christianity

Founded in A.D. 30

Originated in modern-day Israel Jesus & the Bible Worship only one God Believe that the Messiah

(Jesus) will bring salvation Two most important rites:

Baptism The Lord’s Supper

Islam

Founded in A.D. 622

Followers of the teachings of Muhammed became known as Muslims, which means “a person who submits”.

Originated in modern-day Saudi Arabia

Muhammed & the Quran Worship one true god (Allah) Believe all people are brothers

& sisters in a community established by God

Follow laws of the Quran Worship in Arabic

Similarities among these Religions

They all worship only one God Debate about whether or not this

is the same “god” for all three religions

Different Holy men represent each religion