History Ancient Middle East flashcards

Mesopotamian Civilization

The civilization between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. “Between two rivers”

Ziggurat

pyramid shaped temple to honor gods

Cuneiform

earliest writing Sumerians made around 3200 BCE

Lex Talionis

'eye for an eye'. Hammurabi’s code

City-State

A city with own law and government. Independent from other states.

Empire

A combination of many territories under one ruler. Typically from conquering.

Sumerian

Very early culture in Mesopotamia. Uruk and Ur city states. Known for innovations in writing, the wheel, and government.

Akkadian Empire

First empire in history. Sargon. 2300 BCE. united Akkadians and Sumerians.

Babylonian Empire

An ancient empire that reached its peak under King Hammurabi, known for the Code of Hammurabi.

Assyrian Empire

An empire known for its military and brutal tactics from 900 to 600 BCE, with Nineveh as its capital. Conquered by Neo-babylonian

Neo Babylonian Empire

Led by by Nebuchadnezzar 2nd's rule and the Hanging Gardens. Conquest of Jeruselam and of the Assyrian empire.

Nineveh

Capital of the Assyrian Empire, famous for Ashurbanipal’s library which held many great texts including the epic of gilgamesh. had many impressive walls

Polytheism

Belief in multiple gods

Bride Price

Payment made by the man’s family to the woman’s family.

Dowry

Wealth or property brought by the woman to her man in marriage.

Sargon

Founder of the Akkadian Empire and the first ruler to govern multiple cities.

Enheduanna…z.z.z

Sargon’s daughter, recognized as the first known author and a high priestess.

Hammurabi

Babylonian king known for creating Hammurabi’s code

Nebuchadnezzar II

Ruler of the New Babylonian Empire. Built the hanging gardens of Babylon for one of his wives who was feeling homesick.

Ashurbanipal

Assyrian king known for establishing a great library at Nineveh.

Puabi

Sumerian queen who ruled in her own right

Ennigaldi-Nanna

Was a high priestess. Typically only for men. Princess who is known for creating an early museum in Babylon.

Gilgamesh of Uruk

Legendary king and the central character of The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Shamash

Mesopotamian sun god associated with justice.

Abrahamic Religions

Religions such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam that trace their origins to the patriarch Abraham.

Torah

The first five books of the Hebrew Bible.

Tanakh

The Hebrew Bible, consisting of the Torah, Nevi’im (Prophets), and Ketuvim (Writings).

Talmud

A compilation of rabbinic discussions concerning Jewish law and ethics.

Covenant

A sacred promise made between God and the Hebrew people, with Abraham

Circumcision

A physical symbol of the covenant with God in Judaism.

Canaan

The promised land for the descendants of Abraham.

Patriarchal Society

A societal system in which men hold the majority of power in leadership and family roles.

Shabbat

Symbol of the covenant. Day of rest, when god stopped working on the 7th day. observed from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Passover

A Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. god flew over and killed the people that didn’t honor him, which was many egyptians.

Exodus

The biblical event of the Israelites' escape from slavery in Egypt, led by Moses.

Temple

A sacred place of worship, such as the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

Monotheism

The belief in a single, all-powerful God, central to the teachings of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

12 Tribes of Israel

The tribes descended from Jacob’s twelve sons, forming the nations of Israel.

Portable Judaism

The practice of Judaism without a central temple, particularly during the Babylonian exile.

Hesed

Hebrew for 'loving-kindness' and signifies God's mercy.

Abraham

Patriarch of the Hebrew people who made a covenant with God.

Isaac

Son of Abraham and Sarah; an important figure in the covenant.

Sarah

Wife of Abraham and mother of Isaac.

Hagar

The servant of Sarah and mother of Ishmael.

Ishmael

Son of Abraham and Hagar, considered the ancestor of the Arab people.

Moses

Leader who guided the Israelites from Egypt and received the Ten Commandments.

David

King of Israel who unified the nation and established Jerusalem as the capital.

Solomon

Son of David; known for building the First Temple in Jerusalem.

Ashurbanipal Library

An ancient collection of thousands of texts preserved in Nineveh, an early example of organized knowledge.

Yahweh (YHWH)

The name of the God in the Hebrew Bible, often used in the context of monotheistic worship.