Ancient River Valley Civilizations Practice Flashcards

A comprehensive set of practice flashcards covering the key concepts, geography, and contributions of the Ancient River Valley Civilizations including Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China.

Why did permanent settlements appear in river valleys and around the Fertile Crescent during the Neolithic Era?

River valleys provided water, rich soil for crops, and were easily protected from invasion.

Between which two rivers was Mesopotamia located in Southwest Asia?

The Tigris and Euphrates River.

Who was the first king to unify the Babylonian empire and create the first written code of laws?

Hammurabi

What were the two major ideas established in Hammurabi's Code?

The concept of "Innocent until proven guilty" and "Eye for an eye" punishment.

What was the first written language, developed in Sumer, which used wedge-shaped characters?

Cuneiform

Where did the Israelites (Hebrews) settle and what type of religion did they develop?

They settled between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River Valley and developed Judaism, a monotheistic religion.

What are the Phoenicians known for creating and trading?

They are known for creating the phonetic alphabet, trade in purple dye, and shipbuilding.

Why did the civilization in Egypt call their area the "gift of the Nile"?

Because they relied on the flooding of the Nile River to create arable land for survival.

How was the Egyptian ruler, the Pharaoh, viewed by the people?

The Pharaoh was seen as a god with both political and religious authority within a dynastic system.

What were some of the key contributions of Egyptian civilization?

Building pyramids, hieroglyphics, mummification, a number system, and a $365$-day calendar.

What kingdom was located on the Upper (southern end) Nile River and borrowed many cultural aspects from Egypt?

Nubia (also known as Kush Kingdom and Axum).

Along which two rivers did Chinese civilization develop in East Asia?

The Huang He River (Yellow River) and the Yangtze River.

Who was the Chinese emperor who adopted Legalism, built the Great Wall of China, and unified language and currency?

Qin Shi Huang

What concept dictated the Dynastic Cycle and determined who had the right to rule China?

The Mandate of Heaven

What is the core belief of the Chinese philosophy known as Legalism?

The belief that people are naturally bad and only strict government and laws can control their desires.

What are the core characteristics of Taoism as founded by Lao Tzu?

Humility, a simple life and inner peace, and harmony with nature.

Which Chinese philosophy emphasizes that humans are good, respect for elders, ancestor worship, and a code of politeness?

Confucianism

What did the Silk Road facilitate for Chinese civilization?

It facilitated trade and contact with other cultures as far away as Rome.

Which physical barriers made invitation difficult for the Indian civilization?

The Himalayas and the Hindu Kush Mountains.

What were the two earliest major cities found in the Indus River Valley?

Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro

What is the name of the rigid, top-down, birth-based social class system in India?

The caste system (composed of Varnas and Jatis).

Identify the four Varnas and their roles in Indian society.

Brahmins (priests and teachers), Kshatriyas (kings and warriors), Vaishyas (agriculturists and merchants), and Shudras (laborers).

What were the major contributions of the Mauryan Empire under Asoka?

The spread of Buddhism, free hospitals, veterinary clinics, and good roads.

Why is the Gupta Empire referred to as the Golden Age of classical Indian culture?

Due to contributions in mathematics (concept of $0$), medical advances (setting bones), and astronomy (concept of a round earth).

What were the earliest written symbols used in ancient civilizations?

Pictograms

What were some common economic patterns in ancient river valleys?

Farming as the primary source of economy, use of metal tools (bronze and iron), dental agricultural surplus, and trade by river and sea.