Mesopotamia was made up of many independent city-states, each with their own government and laws. The city-states were either part of the Sumerian culture in southern Mesopotamia or the Akkadian culture in the north. The Akkadian king Sargon I conquered Sumeria to create the world's first empire. Hammurabi, king of Babylon, established a famous code of written laws to maintain order. Mesopotamians had a polytheistic religion and built ziggurats to worship gods like Anu, Enlil, Enki, and Ninhursag who were associated with natural elements.

1. Politics
• Mesopotamia was made up of many small
independent city-states.
• Each city-state had its own government, laws,
army, and more.
• Each city-state had a monarchy for a
government. Kings were believed to be chosen
by the gods.

2. Politics
• All the city-states in southern Mesopotamia
are part of Sumeria; common culture.
• City-states often would fight with each other
to control natural resources and trade routes.

3. Politics
• Akkadians lived in northern part of
Mesopotamia. They were very similar to the
Sumerians, but they spoke a different
language.
• The Akkadian king, Sargon I, conquered
Sumeria. When one group of people (culture)
conquers another, then they create an empire.
Sargon I created the world’s first empire.

4. Hammurabi’s Code
• A government keeps the peace, creates order
in a community (just like a teacher in a
classroom).
• Hammurabi was the king of Babylon (a city in
Sumeria).
• Hammurabi created a set of laws that were
written down.

5. Social Order
• Specialization can refer to different jobs
people become experts in (specialize).
• Because people specialize in different jobs,
some jobs are considered more important
than others. This is how social classes are
formed.

6. Mesopotamian
Social Order
Copy this
beautiful
pyramid!

7. Religion
• Mesopotamians were polytheistic, meaning
they believed in more than one god.
• They built massive temples called ziggurats to
please their gods and goddesses.
• Since the king was chosen by the gods, he also
served as a priest in the ziggurat to offer
sacrifices.

8. Religion
• The gods often reflected the natural world in some
way.
- Anu: god of the heavens (stars)
-Enlil: god of the wind
-Enki: god of water
-Ninhursag: mother of the gods
• If the gods were pleased then the natural world
worked correctly and people were happy and safe.