Notes

1. Who was Thales of Miletus?
Thales of Miletus was the first philosopher. He is famous for the claim that water is the "first principle" which led to everything else.

2. What did schools teach?
Schools taught reading, writing, law, medicine, and astrology. The schools were mostly for the priestly class.

3. How many gods did they have?
Across all of the Mesopotamian cultures there was over 1000 deities.

4. How could the people of Mesopotamia bring balance to the world?
They believed that their gods defeated chaos to bring balance to the world, and by completing rituals, hosting proper funerals, and doing civil duties they could help maintain that balance. They could also help honot their gods through their work, and respect for their elders.

5. What were the principal occupations?
The principal occupations were growing crops and raising livestock. There were other jobs such as scribe, healer, artisan, and more.

6. Who was at the head of the society?
Kings and priests were at the head of society.

7. Describe the role of women.
Men and women both worked. Women in Mesopotamia had almost equal rights to men, and they could file for a divorce, own land, and make trades. They also worked many jobs like, brewing and healing, before men ever did.

8. What was the building at the center of the city known as?
The building at the center of the city was the temple, which symbolized the importance of the deity. People living within the city would worship whatever god was said to live within the temple.

9. "The domestic architecture of Mesopotamia grew out of the soil upon which it stood" What does this mean?
Mesopotamia had no trees for timber, or stones for construction, so the buildings were created out of the reeds and clay from the riverbanks. The buildings within Mesopotamia were made entirely from the things that were found within the Fertile Crescent.

10. Who were the two types of rulers of Mesopotamia?
The two-types of rulers in Mesopotamia were kings and priests. Priests made laws based upon divine messages and omens, while Kings were perceived as powerful enough that gods spoke through them.