Ancient Mesopotamia

silt

small particles of fertile soil

irrigation

a way to supply dry land with water through ditches

surplus

an amount that is left over after a need has been met

city-state

an independent nation made up of a city and the land around it

polytheism

a belief in more than one god

ziggurat

a pyramid-shaped tower with a temple at the top

cuneiform

a Sumerian writing system that used wedge-shaped marks made in soft clay

scribe

a person who copies or writes out documents; often a record keeper

epic

a long poem that tells the story of a hero