Honors World History: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, and India Key Facts

What does cuneiform consist of?

Wedge-shaped markings made on wet clay.

What is the world's first coin thought to be?

The Lydian shekel.

What does the name 'Mesopotamia' mean?

Land between the rivers.

What principle did Hammurabi's Code follow?

Eye for an eye.

What was the Akkadian Empire known for?

It was not known for a vast road network and dispatch riders.

What did Sumerian scribes study?

Religion, mathematics, and literature in addition to writing.

Who carried the legacy of the Sumerians to the Western World?

The Persians and Greeks.

What was the capital of the Assyrian Empire?

Nineveh.

Who conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel?

Sargon the Great did not conquer Judah.

Where can Hammurabi's law stele be found today?

In the Louvre.

Which three societies succeeded the Sumerians?

Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians.

What were the first two Mesopotamian Empires?

Akkadian Empire and Babylonian Empire.

How did Hammurabi ensure peace across his empire?

By publishing a written law code (Hammurabi's Code).

What beliefs did the Sumerian religion include?

Polytheism; belief in many gods who controlled nature and daily life.

Where was a 22,000-clay tablet library discovered?

Nineveh.

Where did the Hittites live?

Asia Minor.

Where were Lachish and Jerusalem located?

Canaan / Israel area.

What was the role of the Sumerian king?

Both a military leader and a religious leader.

What were the principles of Hammurabi's Code?

Eye for an eye; life for a life.

What was the Phoenician economy based on?

Trade.

What were the Assyrians known for?

Military strength and spreading terror among conquered peoples.

Why did farming allow civilization to develop?

Surplus food enabled cities and specialization.

Where did the first recorded peace treaty originate?

Between Egypt (Nile River Valley) and the Hittites.

Where was a short-lived monotheistic religion practiced?

Egypt, along the Nile River.

Where are Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro located today?

Pakistan.

What concerned Confucius about society?

Breakdown of order, lack of respect, and moral decline.

Who was the greatest leader of the Han Dynasty?

Emperor Wu (Wu Di).

Where did the Vedas originate?

India.

Which civilization used grid-pattern urban planning?

Indus Valley Civilization.

Which civilization first made paper?

China.

Why is less known about the Harappans?

Their writing has not been deciphered.

Where was the Valley of the Kings located?

Near Thebes.

Why was writing important to ancient Egypt?

Record-keeping, taxes, laws, and administration.

What can be inferred from China's geography?

Natural barriers made invasion difficult.

Why did Chinese copper coins have holes?

So they could be strung together for safekeeping.

Why did Confucianism influence China more than Daoism?

It emphasized order, roles, and government stability.

Which Confucian relationship was equal?

Friend to friend.

Who ordered early Great Wall construction?

Shi Huangdi.

How did goods travel along the Silk Road?

Through a multistage trade network.

Which Vedic social class was highest?

Brahmins (priests).

Where is the Rosetta Stone today?

British Museum, London.