Early River Valley Civilizations Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, figures, and definitions from early historical civilizations.

metallurgy

The process used for extracting metals in their pure (in early metallurgy) form from ore and smelting

specialization

The development of skills in a specific kind of work

institution

a long lasting pattern of organization in a community

scribe

professional record keepers; scribes created writing systems

cuneiform

Wedge-shaped form of writing that originated in ancient Sumer

Bronze Age

The age when people began using bronze for tools and weapons rather than copper and stone

ziggurat

A pyramid-shaped tower with a temple at the top

Fertile Crescent

A geographical area of fertile land in the Middle East stretching in a broad semicircle from the Nile to the Tigris and Euphrates

city-state

An independently governed city with its surrounding lands

dynasty

A series of rulers from a single family

polytheism

The belief in more than one god

empire

A region of different peoples, nations, or previously independent states under the control of one ruler

Sargon of Akkad

Akkadian ruler who defeated the city-state of Sumer and established the first empire in 2350 BCE

Hammurabi

Ruled the Babylonian Empire at its height from 1792-1750 BCE and establishment a code of law known as "Hammurabi's Code"

civilization

A complex society in which a large number of people live

Ancient (Earliest) River Valley Civilizations

Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Shang China, and the Indus River Valley Civilization

artisan

skilled workers who make goods by hand

barter

A way of trading goods and services without the use of money

Mesopotamia

Stretch of land located on the Fertile Crescent between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers (from the Greek word meaning, "land between two rivers")

cultural diffusion

The process in which new ideas and products spread from one culture to another