Civilisations and Legacies of Ancient Sumer, Egypt, Greece, and Rome

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on ancient civilisations and their legacies.

Mesopotamia

An ancient land known as the 'land between the rivers' (Euphrates and Tigris).

Ziggurats

Stepped temples built by Sumerians to honor their gods and goddesses.

Cuneiform

The form of writing invented by the Sumerians, used for keeping track of goods.

Pharaoh

The supreme ruler over all areas of ordinary and religious life in ancient Egypt.

Pyramids

Huge stone structures where pharaohs were buried, designed with advanced mathematical and engineering skills.

Democracy

A system of government introduced by Athens where 'the people are in power'.

Acropolis

A high hill where temples and government buildings were built in ancient Greece.

Agora

A central marketplace in Greek city-states where goods were sold and traded.

Concrete

A building material invented by the ancient Romans, easier to use than solid stone.

Colosseum

An amphitheater in Rome used as an arena for fights and public spectacles.

Hieroglyphics

The ancient Egyptian writing system using pictures to represent animals, objects, and people.

Indus Valley Civilization

An ancient civilization located along the Indus River, known for its well-planned cities and sanitation systems.

Caste system

A social hierarchy introduced by the Aryans that divided society into classes.

The Ramayana

One of the two long Sanskrit poems composed by the Aryans, known for its moral teachings.

Bharatanatyam

One of the oldest forms of Indian classical dance characterized by intricate poses and expressions.

Sanskrit

An ancient language used by the Aryans, from which modern languages like Hindi and Bengali are derived.

Decline of the Indus Valley Civilization

The period around 1900 BCE when the civilization went into decline and cities were abandoned.