ANCIENT HISTORY Guided Reading 2.3 the Legacy of Mesopotamia

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ANCIENT HISTORY Guided Reading 2.3 the Legacy
of Mesopotamia
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As you read, fill in the table with information
about Mesopotamian civilization.I deleted
directions in order to make the boxes bigger
youre going to need that.
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Main Idea A The rules set down by Hammurabi were an important step in the development of civilization in Mesopotamia.
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2.
Main Idea B Writing was one of the major breakthroughs for the civilization of Mesopotamia.
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4.
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Main Idea A The rules set down by Hammurabi were an important step in the development of civilization in Mesopotamia.

1. Rules were written down for everyone in the
empire to follow.
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Main Idea A The rules set down by Hammurabi were an important step in the development of civilization in Mesopotamia.

2. Hammurabis Code was based on the idea of an
eye for an eye. It did not apply equally to all
people.
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Main Idea B Writing was one of the major breakthroughs for the civilization of Mesopotamia.

3. Writing developed in Mesopotamia. Sumerians
kept records such as sales, tax payments, gifts
for gods, marriage and death.
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Main Idea B Writing was one of the major breakthroughs for the civilization of Mesopotamia.

4. Scribes used a clay writing surface and sharp
tools. When the clay dried, it left an almost
permanent record. Historians study the writing,
archeologists study the clay.
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Main Idea A -- Rules

1. 282 laws about trade, labor, property, and
   family, practicing medicine and controlling
   animals and punishment
2. not applied equally to all
3. an eye for an eye only if noble was victim
4. a person who accidentally broke a law was just
   as guilty as someone did so purposefully
5. the laws were written down for everyone
6. they were posted in every town

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Main Idea B -- Writing

1. used to keep records such as sales
2. there were Scribes (writers and record keepers)
3. Scribes were greatly respected
4. writing was used for sales, trades, tax
   payments, gifts for gods, marriages, deaths
5. the govt used scribes to figure out
   requirements for military and building projects
6. by using clay, there was a nearly permanent
   record
7. the writing was called cuneiform