Mesopotamia

Hammurabis code

first example of written legal code.

Sumer

worlds first true civilization

Top of hierarchy

rulers and priests

Middle of hierarchy

merchants and artisans

Low of hierarchy

farmers and slaves

Cuneiform

worlds first true writing system

The Fertile Crescent

a fertile region in southwestern Asia that includes the region of Mesopotamia

Ur

Major city-state of Sumer, ancient ziggurat is still standing there

Ziggurat

a pyramid-shaped structure with a temple at the top

irrigation

a system that supplies dry land with water through ditches, pipes, or streams

Babylon

The major city-state which was the capital of two empires (Hammurabi's & a "new" empire over 1,000 years later) and became the world's largest city after it was rebuilt around 630 BC

Akkadia

Conquered the city-states of Sumer, was the world first empire, however it was short lived

Assyrian Empire

The large, powerful empire that took over Mesopotamia around 900BC that was known for their powerful, brutal army and use of iron weapons

City-state

a city that governs itself and its surrounding territory

Empire

A group of states or territories controlled by one ruler

chariot

a wheeled, horse-drawn cart used in battle

Cyrus the Great

Ruler of the Persian empire known for his restraint and mercy, conquered Babylon

Darius

Ruler of the Persian empire, successor of Cyrus the great.

Hitties

First civilization to use iron. One of the earliest more advanced civilizations.

Nebuchadnezzar

Chaldean king who rebuilt Babylon into an empire after the fall of the Assyrian empire.