Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent Civilizations

Mesopotamia

Greek origins meaning between two rivers

Irrigation

Using canals, ditches, pipes, and streams to deliver water to dry land

City-state

An independent city and the farmland that surrounds it.

Empire

A nation and the other nations that it has conquered (taken over).

Cuneiform

An ancient (old) written language that has wedged-shaped characters (“letters”). A reed stylus (writing tool) was used to write the characters.

Scribe

A professional writer or record keeper. 

Artisan

A skilled craftsman that makes things using their hands

Manual laborer

Physical work done by hand instead of machines or animals

Polytheism

A religion that believes in many 

(more than one) gods.

Monotheism

A religion that believes in one god.

Ziggurat

Large temples built by the Sumerians that had ramps, stairs and 

several levels.