Untitled Flashcards Set

Mesopotamia

Means 'land between rivers'; region located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Cuneiform

An early writing system used for record-keeping and trade in ancient Mesopotamia.

Polytheism

The belief in multiple gods, as practiced in Sumerian religion.

Ma’at

The ancient Egyptian concept of cosmic harmony and balance that governed the universe.

Theocracy

A system of government ruled by religious leaders, where the pharaoh was seen as both a ruler and a god.

Ziggurat

A temple complex built on tall platforms in ancient Sumer, reflecting the dominance of religion in their society.

Hammurabi's Code

A set of laws for Babylonian society designed to unify the empire and promote justice.

Mummification

The process of preserving a body for the afterlife, involving organ removal, drying, and wrapping.

Obelisk

A tall, four-sided monument, often erected to honor the sun god Ra, associated with Pharaoh Hatshepsut.

Hieroglyphics

One of the first writing systems in the world created by the Egyptians, using symbols to represent sounds and ideas.

Sumerian City-States

Independent political units that included urban centers and their surrounding territories, prominent in early Mesopotamia.

The Great Pyramid of Giza

The largest pyramid built for Pharaoh Khufu, considered one of the masterpieces of ancient engineering.

Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt

The two main regions of ancient Egypt, each associated with different parts of the Nile River.

Nile River

Traditionally considered the longest river in the world, crucial for civilization in Egypt due to its annual floods.

Nomarchs

Local governors in ancient Egypt who controlled individual regions and occasionally competed for power with the pharaoh.

Sesostris III

A pharaoh known for securing Egypt's southern border and controlling trade routes in Nubia.

Djoser

An early pharaoh known for commissioning the first stone pyramid, which revolutionized Egyptian architecture.

Akhenaten

Pharaoh who introduced the worship of a single god, Aten, marking a significant change in Egyptian religion.

Snefru

Pharaoh known for his pyramid-building projects, including the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid, marking advances in construction techniques.

Ramses II

Pharaoh renowned for his military leadership and extensive building projects, including temples and monuments throughout Egypt.