Ancient Babylonian Civilization STS Study Reviewer

Flashcards covering the history, legal contributions, and scientific advancements of Ancient Babylonia, including mathematics, astronomy, and engineering.

Babylonia

A powerful ancient empire in central-southern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) centered along the Euphrates River that became a major cultural and imperial power.

Old Babylonian Empire

The First Dynasty (c. $1894$-$1595$ BCE) that unified southern Mesopotamia under Amorite rule and reached its peak under King Hammurabi.

Neo-Babylonian Empire

The Chaldean Dynasty (c. $626$-$539$ BCE) known for a grand architectural and cultural revival under King Nebuchadnezzar II.

Code of Hammurabi

One of the earliest and most complete written legal codes consisting of $282$ laws inscribed on a basalt stele, establishing the principle of retaliation.

Basalt stele

The material upon which the Code of Hammurabi was inscribed.

Talent and shekel

Standardized weights and measures used in the formalized Babylonian banking and trade system.

Ishtar Gate

A monumental structure in Babylon made of blue glazed-bricks, serving as a prominent example of imperial urbanism.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a legendary architectural feat attributed to King Nebuchadnezzar II.

Plimpton 322

A famous clay tablet dating to c. $1800$ BCE featuring a table of Pythagorean triples, demonstrating knowledge of right triangles long before Pythagoras.

12-sign Zodiac

An invention of Babylonian astronomers used for celestial tracking and dividing the night sky.

Trapezoidal algorithms

The mathematical technique used by Babylonian astronomers to calculate the displacement of Jupiter.

Gnomon

A type of sundial refined by the Babylonians using their base-$60$ system to divide days into precise time units.

Clepsydrae

Water clocks used by the Babylonians for precise timekeeping.

Diagnostic Medical Handbook

An empirical medical text written by Esagil-kin-apli in the $11^{th}$ century BCE, listing symptoms, physical exams, prescriptions, and prognosis methodologies.

Esagil-kin-apli

The individual who wrote the Diagnostic Medical Handbook during the $11^{th}$ century BCE.

Lapis-lazuli blue glazed bricks

Weather-resistant, vibrant ceramic bricks created using sophisticated kiln firing methods for city fortifications and temples.

Cyrus the Great

The Persian ruler who conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire in $539$ BCE.

Enuma Elish

A major piece of Sumerian cuneiform literature that was translated and institutionalized in Babylonian royal libraries.

Base-60 system

The mathematical system used by Babylonians to construct timekeeping devices and divide time units.

$$\sqrt{2}$$

A numeric value for which the Babylonians were able to calculate the square root using advanced algebra and geometry.