Ancient Mesopotamia Quizlet

Fertile Cresent

a crescent-shaped area extending from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf

Mesopotamia (in Greek)

Greek: "land between the rivers" Tigris and Euphrates

City-States

a city and its surrounding territory around the city that are under the control of a government or ruler

Sumer

City-state in southern Mesopotamia (first major civilization)

Akkad

City-state in northern Mesopotamia

What is a ziggurat?

An ancient Mesopotamian temple.

What is the structure of a ziggurat?

A pyramidal structure built in successive stages.

What is located at the top of a ziggurat?

A shrine.

Where were ziggurats typically located?

At the center of a city-state in Mesopotamia.

Nanna

moon goddess

Polytheism

Belief in multiple gods

What is a theocracy?

A form of government in which a deity is considered the supreme authority.

Who is often viewed as divinely guided in a theocracy?

Religious leaders or officials.

Hierarchy

a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

What is cuneiform?

The first writing system invented in Mesopotamia.

What material did people use to write in cuneiform?

People used a reed to press-wedge marks into clay tablets.

What were some purposes of cuneiform writing?

used to keep records, write laws, and tell stories.

Hammurabi

(r. 1792-1750 B.C.E.) became the sixth king of Babylon and created 282 laws

What is the Code of Hammurabi?

A collection of 282 laws.

What is significant about the Code of Hammurabi?

It is one of the first examples of written law in the ancient world.

What is a stele?

An upright stone slab inscribed with text or images.

What were steles often used for in ancient times?

To record laws, commemorate events, or honor individuals.

Shamash

God of justice and the sun