The Geography of Ancient

Mesopotamia vs. Ancient Greece

Jacob B. Woolf
Orange History
6/12/14
Overview of the Geography of
Ancient Mesopotamia
Overview of the Geography of
Ancient Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia was on a flat plain between two big rivers, the
Tigris and the Euphrates.
The land was very fertile soil because of silt and water from
river flooding.
Much mud was available for building, but there was little
stone, metal, or wood.
Winters were cooler and wetter and summers were hot and
dry.
The Syrian and Arabian deserts were nearby.
Native animals included lions, leopards, deer, gazelle, eagles,
vultures, ostriches, wild cattle, and boar.

Overview of the Geography of
Ancient Greece
Overview of the Geography of
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece was a mountainous peninsula surrounded by
the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Ionian Seas.
It also included thousands of islands.
The land was 70-80% mountains and was mostly rocky, so
only about 20% was good for farming.
There were not any big rivers.
Other natural resources included wood from trees, stone, and
marble, but not much metal.
Winters were mild and rainy and summers were hot and dry.
Native animals included bears, boar, wildcats, wolves, foxes,
deer, many birds, dolphins, and 246 species of ocean fish.

The Impact of Geography
on Human Life
The geography of both ancient Mesopotamia and ancient
Greece impacted human life.
Different aspects of human life impacted by geography
include:
Agriculture
Raising of Livestock
Travel & Trade
Food
Types of Human Settlement
Agriculture in
Ancient Mesopotamia
Agriculture in
Ancient Mesopotamia
Ancient Mesopotamia had lots of good farmland and
fresh water, so agriculture was possible.
Mesopotamians developed good irrigation systems to
control flooding - canals, reservoirs, and dams.
As a result, they had surplus grain for trade.

Raising Livestock
in Ancient Mesopotamia
Raising Livestock
in Ancient Mesopotamia
The climate in ancient Mesopotamia allowed
livestock to live outdoors.
There was lots of flat land to raise livestock,
which included:
Sheep (for wool)
Oxen (for plowing)
Donkeys & Horses (for riding or transport)
Pigs (for food)
Goats (for milk or food)
Chickens (for eggs, food, feathers)
Cattle (for milk, food)
Agriculture & Livestock
in Ancient Greece
Agriculture in
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece did not have much good
farmland (20%).
There were not big rivers to provide fresh
water.
So they could not grow enough grain to feed
everyone.

Raising Livestock
in Ancient Greece
As in Mesopotamia, the climate in Ancient Greece
allowed animals to live outdoors.
But Ancient Greece did not have many flat fields for
raising livestock.
Their livestock included:
Pigs (for food)
Sheep (for wool)
Goats (for milk or food)
Chickens (for eggs, food, feathers)
Horses (for riding or transport)
Cattle (for milk, food)
Travel & Trade
in Ancient Mesopotamia
Travel & Trade in Ancient
Mesopotamia
Flat land was no barrier to travel, but river
travel was easier than land travel.
Travel & trade were made by riding in river
boats.
They exported surplus grain and cloth.
They imported wine, metals, stone, and wood.
Travel & Trade
in Ancient Greece
Travel & Trade
in Ancient Greece
Mountains made land travel very difficult.
Most travel was by way of ocean ships.
The ancient Greeks became very good sailors.
They exported fish, wine, olives, pottery, etc.
They imported grain and slaves.
Food
in Ancient Mesopotamia
Food
in Ancient Mesopotamia
Agriculture, livestock, and trade determined the
types of food available in ancient Mesopotamia.
Bread was made from grains.
Milk & cheese came from cows & goats.
Fruits such apples, pears, melons, figs were
eaten.
They also had vegetable stews.
There were nuts, such as pistachios.
There were lots of river fish.
Rich people sometimes ate other meat.
Food
in Ancient Greece
Food
in Ancient Greece
Agriculture, livestock, and trade also determined
the types of food available in ancient Greece.
The food was very healthy.
Bread was made from grains like wheat & barley.
Milk & cheese came from goats.
They had olives, figs, grapes, other fruits, and
vegetables.
There were lots of ocean fish.

Human Settlements
in Ancient Mesopotamia
Human Settlements
in Ancient Mesopotamia
City states developed because people had to
work together on big projects like the
irrigation systems.
Invasion was easy because there was a of lack
of natural barriers (no mountains).
The city walls and most buildings were made
of mud bricks.

Human Settlements
in Ancient Greece
Human Settlements
in Ancient Greece
Independent city states developed because land travel
was very difficult.
Invasion was difficult because of the mountains
blocking the way of invaders.
Buildings were made of wood, clay, and also marble.
They had more complicated architecture than ancient
Mesopotamia because they had more types of building
materials.
The Greeks expanded by invasion by sea because they
did not have much land or resources of their own.
Sources
http://www.eduplace.com/ss/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/reviews/pdfs/LS_6
_11_01.pdf

http://historylink101.com/2/greece3/

http://www.eduplace.com/ss/socsci/ca/books/bkf3/reviews/pdfs/LS_6
_03_01.pdf

http://www.mesopotamia.co.uk/geography/

http://www.ehow.com/info_12021097_effects-geography-ancient-
athens.html



THE END
Hope you liked it!