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 farmland that surrounds it.

Cuneiform

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

Empire

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

Scribe

A professional write or record keeper.