Ancient Mesopotamia and Near East Civilizations (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key people, empires, beliefs, texts, and concepts from the Mesopotamian and Near Eastern lecture.

Akkadian Empire

The first major Mesopotamian empire founded by Sargon; described as a cultural monarchy.

Babylonian Empire

Long-lasting empire in Mesopotamia; considered a legal monarchy and associated with the Code of Hammurabi.

Assyrians

An empire often described as a terror monarchy, known for harsh rule and military strength.

Neo-Babylonian (Chaldean) Empire

A short-lived restoration monarchy led by Nebuchadnezzar II in Mesopotamia.

Nebuchadnezzar II

Neo-Babylonian king who rebuilt infrastructure, expanded territory, and enslaved conquered peoples such as the Hebrews.

Cyrus the Great

Founder of the Persian (Achaemenid) Empire; known for a tolerant monarchy and allowing local leaders and religions to persist.

Tolerant monarchy

A ruling approach in which the conqueror allows local governance, religions, and customs to continue.

Zoroastrianism

Religious system under Cyrus’s influence featuring a dual cosmology of light/truth (Ahura Mazda) and darkness/lie.

Ahura Mazda

The god of light and truth in Zoroastrianism; central figure in the cosmology.

Zendavesta (Zendavesta)

Sacred text of Zoroastrianism containing cosmology, myths, and religious teachings.

Ankhidu

A mythical warrior figure created to confront Gilgamesh; later becomes his ally on a quest.

Epic of Gilgamesh

Ancient Mesopotamian long-form epic about Gilgamesh’s life and quest, including mortality and immortality; earliest written versions date to around 2600 BCE.

House of Dust

Mesopotamian concept of the afterlife where the dead dwell in darkness; rulers and commoners alike inhabit it.

Semitic languages

A language family including Aramaic, Hebrew, and related tongues spoken in Mesopotamia.

Indo-European languages

A language family including Hittite, Greek, Latin, and related tongues spoken in parts of the ancient Near East.

Monotheism (Hebrews as early monotheists)

Belief in a single god; Hebrews are described as among the first monotheistic groups in history.

Cosmology

A worldview or narrative about the origin and structure of the universe that informs values and daily life.

Gift of the Nile

Tacitus’s phrase describing Egypt’s stability and agricultural prosperity due to the predictable Nile floodplain and natural defenses.