Mesopotamia: The Cradle of Civilization

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts about Mesopotamia, the first civilization, its writing system, rulers, and legal codes.

Mesopotamia

The site of the first known civilized societies, primarily located in present-day Iraq, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

Fertile Crescent

The crescent-shaped fertile lands between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf, crucial for the development of early civilizations.

Sumer

The first known civilization, founded around 4000 B.C., located in southeast Mesopotamia.

Gilgamesh Epic

The first literary monument in world history, featuring a flood story similar to Noah’s Ark.

Cuneiform

The first known system of writing, developed around 3100 B.C., using a reed stylus on clay tablets.

Bronze Age

A historical period between approximately 3300 – 1200 B.C., characterized by the use of bronze tools and weapons.

Sargon The Great

The ruler of Akkad who conquered Sumerian city-states and formed the world’s first empire, the Akkadian Empire.

Ziggurats

Religious towers built in major cities of Mesopotamia, which served as temples for worship.

Hammurabi

The ruler of Babylon who introduced a comprehensive code of laws, known as the Code of Hammurabi.

Code of Hammurabi

A collection of 282 laws governing Babylonian society, inscribed on stone pillars for public visibility.