Ancient Societies: Mesopotamia and Rome Overview

Civilization

Complex societies with shared characteristics and structures.

Food Surplus

Excess food production ensuring stability and growth.

Social Structure

Hierarchy defining roles like farmers and rulers.

Government

Systems managing laws and resources in society.

Religion

Belief systems, often polytheistic, with rituals.

Culture

Expressions of art, music, literature, and traditions.

Technology

Advancements in tools, weapons, and architecture.

Written Language

System for record-keeping and knowledge transfer.

Mesopotamia

First civilization located between Tigris and Euphrates.

City-State

Independent cities with their own governments.

Ziggurat

Large temple structures for worship in Mesopotamia.

Hammurabi's Code

First written collection of laws in Babylon.

Cuneiform

First known writing system on clay tablets.

Roman Republic

Government with elected representatives from 509 BCE.

Patricians

Wealthy elite with significant political power.

Plebeians

Common people with limited rights in Rome.

Pax Romana

200 years of peace and prosperity in Rome.

Christianity

Religion that spread rapidly in the Roman Empire.

Constantine

Emperor who made Christianity the official religion.

Western Roman Empire

Fell in 476 CE due to various pressures.

Eastern Byzantine Empire

Survived until 1453 CE, after Rome's fall.

Fall of Rome

Result of internal corruption and external invasions.