The Civilizations of the Fertile Crescent

The Mesopotamia region, part of the Mezzaluna fertile (Fertile Crescent), was the cradle of civilization where the first city-states emerged and writing was invented, marking the transition from prehistory to history. This area saw the rise of the earliest known polytheistic societies, where art served both religious and decorative purposes.

Definition: The Mezzaluna fertile refers to the crescent-shaped region in the Middle East where agriculture and early civilization flourished.

The first Mesopotamian peoples made significant contributions to various fields of knowledge:

• They developed astronomy
• Advanced geometry
• Pioneered early medicine

Highlight: The invention of writing in Mesopotamia marks the beginning of recorded history.

The Sumerians

The Sumeri were the first civilization to develop in Mesopotamia around 4000 BCE. They made several important innovations:

• Invented the calendar
• Developed brick-making techniques

These advancements allowed them to construct monumental cities with defensive walls and large buildings, including the distinctive ziggurat.

Vocabulary: A ziggurat is a massive stepped pyramid structure found in ancient Mesopotamian cities.

Ziggurats

Ziggurats were among the first multi-story structures in history. They served both religious and social functions:

• The top floor was dedicated to the temple
• The ground floor was used for social activities, such as markets

Example: Ziggurats were constructed using sun-dried bricks, which were later baked for increased durability.

Sumerian Art

The Sumerians developed various artistic techniques:

• Bas-relief sculptures depicting deities and kings
• "In the round" sculpture technique
• Engraved war scenes on steles (stone slabs)

Definition: Bas-relief is a sculptural technique where figures project slightly from a flat background.

The Babylonians

The Babilonesi succeeded the Sumerians and took their name from the city of Babylon. They are notable for creating one of the first written legal codes:

• The Code of Hammurabi was inscribed on a large column
• It featured a pictorial scene at the bottom with laws written above

Highlight: The Code of Hammurabi is one of the earliest examples of written law in human history.

This summary provides an overview of the early civilizations in the Fertile Crescent, focusing on the Sumeri e Babilonesi scuola Primaria curriculum. It highlights key aspects of Mesopotamian society, including their technological innovations, architectural achievements, artistic developments, and legal advancements.