Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh is an epic poem from Mesopotamia, and is one of the earliest surviving works of literature. It tells us how the people viewed death, immortality, and relationships with the gods and humanity.
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Significance of Irrigation
Irrigation in Mesopotamia allowed for job specialization which led to trade.
Hammurabi's Code
Hammurabi's code was the code of law for the Babylonian people. It underlying principles are "an eye for an eye", and it shows the emergence of justice.
Assyrians
The Assyrians were known to be very formidable foes. This was because they had highly trained troops, had experience in battle and were organized into units of charioteers, cavalry, bowmen and lancers. They had engineers who employed battering rams. They used iron weapons and build roads for the easier movement of troops. They were also notorious for how they tortured their enemies.
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Technological Innovations
They invented the wheel which helped make trade easier (pulley system, carts, etc.), they were also among the first humans to harness the wind as a source of energy (the sail).
Roles of Women
Women had very strict roles. They were thought of as the daughter of their father and wife of their husband. They rarely acted as individuals outside of their families, unless they were royalty or wives of individual men.
Development of Cuneiform
Jewish Community vs Phoenician culture
Phoenicians used sea trade while the Jews were land based. The Jews conquered lands while the Phoenicians tended to sail around and make settlements. The Phoenicians were polytheistic while the Jews were monotheistic. Both of them depended on outside trade for their livelihoods. The Jews adopted the Mesopotamian government system and Mesopotamian culture was the dominant culture in the Middle East for an expansive period of time.
The Indo - Europeans
Their origins of the Indo - Europeans can usually be traced back to modern - day Ukraine and southern Russia. Started as nomads, but then they domesticated the horse and started gaining more power.