Ancient Sumer and the Four Empires of Mesopotamia

Comprehensive review flashcards covering the rise of Sumerian city-states, ancient Sumerian civilization, and the four empires of Mesopotamia.

In which region of the world are the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers located?

Southwest Asia

What is the fine particle of rock carried along by a river called?

Silt

What is the process of bringing water to land to water crops called?

Irrigation

What is an earthen wall built to prevent a river from overflowing its banks called?

A levee

What is the geographical region located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers called?

Mesopotamia

What was the southern region of Mesopotamia where early cities first appeared?

Sumer

What was a small geographical unit the size of a town that functioned like an independent country with its own laws and government?

A city-state

What cause drove ancient people to move from the Zagros Mountains down onto the plains?

The population grew and there was not enough food.

What three geographic conditions characterized the plains between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers?

Hard soil, springtime floods, and hot temperatures.

Which agricultural problem was solved by building levees?

The problem of spring rains flooding the fields.

Which problem did the construction of canals solve for Mesopotamian farmers?

The problem that the fields were not all near the river.

Which water management challenge was solved by constructing dams and reservoirs?

The problem of not having enough water year-round.

How did poking holes in levees help ancient farmers manage water delivery?

It solved the problem of getting water exactly when it was needed.

What social effect resulted from the continuous maintenance required by the complex irrigation system?

Individuals and villages had to cooperate to make sure everyone survived.

What happened to the population of Sumer over time as a result of the stable food supply provided by irrigation?

It increased.

What is the chronological order of events leading from agricultural success to conflict in Sumer?

1. The population in Sumer grew since there was a stable food supply;
2. People who lived upriver kept the water to themselves;
3. People began fighting and killing over water use;
4. People built walls around their cities to protect themselves from attack.

Which two major ancient cities are shown developing along the Euphrates River on this map?

Kish and Ur

According to the map scale, approximately how many miles was the distance from Jericho to Ur?

About $600\,\text{miles}$

What is an artisan?

A person who makes objects; a craftsperson.

What is a merchant?

A businessperson; a person who sells things.

What is a scribe?

A person who writes.

How is a civilization defined?

A society that has a developed government, social structure, arts, and sciences.

What is culture?

The beliefs or behaviors of a society.

What does social structure mean in the context of ancient civilizations?

The way a civilization is organized, where people are at different levels and some individuals have more wealth and status than others.

What is cuneiform?

A kind of writing that uses wedge-shaped characters.

What is a pictograph?

A written symbol that stands for an object.

What is technology?

The use of tools or inventions for practical purposes.

What is a ziggurat?

An ancient temple featuring outside staircases and a shrine at the top.

What are five recognized characteristics of a civilization?

1. A system of government
2. A religious system
3. A system of writing
4. Development of the arts
5. A social structure with different kinds of jobs

What primary purpose did the plow serve in ancient Sumerian agriculture?

It provided speed in planting fields.

Why was metal an important resource in ancient Sumer?

It was used to make tools and weapons.

How was the government of ancient Sumer organized?

A king ruled with the help of the army and governors that he appointed.

What were the religious beliefs of the Sumerians regarding gods?

The Sumerians believed in many gods.

What is considered the Sumerians' greatest technological invention?

The wheel

Besides the wheel, what was another major cultural achievement contributed by the Sumerians?

The first written language

What roles did women hold in ancient Sumerian society?

They worked in a variety of jobs.

How were people enslaved in ancient Sumer?

They were enslaved after being captured in war.

To which social class did merchants, farmers, and artisans belong in ancient Sumer?

The middle class

What essential condition enabled Sumer to develop into a full civilization?

Its ability to maintain a stable food supply.

Which characteristic of a civilization is depicted in this artifact?

Development of the arts

What is an empire?

A political unit created when one ruler conquers several city-states and unites them under a single rule.

What is tribute?

Valuable items that conquered city-states are forced to give to a king.

What is a capital?

A city chosen or built to serve as the center of government for an empire or state.

What military strategy involves surrounding and attacking a city-state until it surrenders?

A siege

What is a code of laws?

A written collection of laws that citizens must obey, placed in a public location for all to see.

What was the foundation of the economy in the ancient Mesopotamian empires?

Farming, complemented by the manufacture of finished goods (such as cloth) and trade.

Which of the four Mesopotamian empires was considered the fiercest and most war-like?

The Assyrian empire

Which Mesopotamian empire developed the most detailed set of laws and matching punishments?

The Babylonian empire

Which empire was renowned for its beautiful temples, mathematics, and advancements in astronomy?

The neo-Babylonian empire

Which empire was the first in Mesopotamia and originated the concept of a capital city?

The Akkadian empire

Which Mesopotamian empire granted the greatest legal rights to women and to enslaved people?

The Babylonian empire

What role did religion play in governance across the ancient Mesopotamian empires?

Religion was mixed with other areas of life; the king's authority was believed to come from the gods, and religious leaders held higher social status.

What was the core principle of Hammurabi's Code?

It was a detailed list of laws explaining how people should behave, specifying punishments intended to fit each crime.

What made Hammurabi's Code unique in the ancient world?

It was the first time laws were written down and posted in public.

Who was responsible for building the Hanging Gardens of Babylon shown here?

Nebuchadnezzar

What is the name for this carved stone slab monument?

A stele

What were three significant achievements of King Nebuchadnezzar?

1. Brought the Israelites as captives to his kingdom;
2. Built a huge wall and moat around the capital;
3. Restored the empire to its former glory.

How did the ancient Mesopotamian empires manage their resource needs through trade?

They grew most of their own food and traded with other civilizations for scarce resources and finished products.