The Ancient Near East Test Review Sheet

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the Ancient Near East including notable figures, events, and cultural developments essential for exam preparation.

Pastoralists

People who rely on herding domesticated animals for livelihood, often living a nomadic lifestyle.

Sargon

Leader of the Akkadians who established the first Mesopotamian Empire by overrunning Sumerian city-states.

Hammurabi

King known for his law code, a collection of 282 laws that provided a glimpse into Mesopotamian society.

Menes

King who united Upper and Lower Egypt into a single kingdom around 3100 BCE.

Hyksos

Semitic pastoralists who conquered Egypt using advanced military technology, including horse-drawn war chariots.

Chariot

A lightweight, maneuverable cart drawn by horses, significant in military tactics during the Hyksos invasion.

Ahmose I

Pharaoh who expelled the Hyksos and founded the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt.

Hatshepsut

One of the first female pharaohs who built a great temple and promoted trade and mining.

Indo-Europeans

Tribe of pastoralists from southern Russia who spread across the Eurasian continent around 2000 BCE.

Mycenaean Greeks

Early Greek civilization associated with the flourishing of trade and culture before decline in the 1100s BCE.

Battle of Qadesh

A significant battle between Egyptians and Hittites that ended in a draw and led to the first known peace treaty.

Ramses II

Pharaoh of the 19th dynasty who expanded Egypt and is often regarded as the last great pharaoh of New Kingdom Egypt.

Bronze Age Collapse

The decline of 8 great civilizations including Mycenaean Greece and Egypt around the 1100s BCE.

Assyrian Empire

An empire that controlled Mesopotamia and parts of the Near East, known for military conquests using iron weapons.

Polis

Greek city-state that served as the central political and social institution in ancient Greece.

Hoplite

Greek soldier known for his iron armor and participation in the development of military democracy.

Democracy

A system of government in Athens where power was held by the people, though many were excluded from political rights.

Persian Empire

An expansive empire known for its effective administration, tolerance of conquered peoples, and conflict with Greek city-states.

Cyrus II

Known as Cyrus the Great, he unified the Persian tribes and created a vast empire that expanded into Asia Minor.

Zoroastrianism

Monotheistic religion founded by Zoroaster in Persia, focusing on the struggle between good and evil.

Alexander the Great

Macedonian king who created one of the largest empires in history, spreading Greek culture throughout his conquests.

Mauryan Empire

Ancient Indian empire founded by Chandragupta Maurya, notable for its centralized government and promotion of Buddhism.

Qin Dynasty

The first unified Chinese dynasty, known for centralization and the construction of the Great Wall.