monarchy and empire

What period is referred to as the early dynastic period in West Asia?

c. 2900-2400 BCE

What does the Sumerian king list document?

A list of the kings that ruled in Sumer back to its beginning.

Where and when did the first kingship reportedly start?

In Gish, which reigned for 1200 years.

What role did kings claim concerning land and city protection?

Kings claimed all lands as their own and portrayed themselves as protectors of the city.

What significant archaeological find is associated with Kish, dating to around 2500 BCE?

Remains of a palace.

What is the Standard of Ur, dated c. 2600-2400 BCE?

An artifact featuring a ‘war panel’.

Who was Naram-Sin and why is he significant?

He led the rise of the Akkadian states as the first city-state conqueror of others.

What honor did Naram-Sin receive after his success in battle?

He was deemed the god of Akkade.

What was the king's responsibility in Babylonia during the 18th century BCE?

Establishing norms and laws and enforcing them.

What characterized the Old Assyrian Empire?

It was a commercial empire with trade reaching into Anatolia.

What change occurred in kingship with the Neo Assyrian Empire?

The king became an absolute ruler rather than merely the first among equals.

What was one of the functions of early kingship?

Defining roles and functions by building monuments such as royal palaces.

What event in 2015 involved ISIS and Nimrud?

ISIS destroyed Nimrud and photographed the act.

Who were the first three Achaemenid kings?

Cyrus II, Cambyses II, and Darius.

What major deity is associated with Achaemenid religion?

Ahuramazda.

What is the significance of local elites in relation to kings?

They collaborated to protect imperial authority in exchange for favors from the king.

What was a core aspect of pharaonic kingship in Egypt?

Unified rule represented by the king.

What was the significance of building pyramids in Egypt?

It showcased the capacity of a sole ruler to coordinate mass labor.

How did the interlinking of religion and power manifest in ancient civilizations?

Temples served both divinity and kingship.

What was the role of Alexander in the Hellenistic period?

He conquered the Achaemenid Empire quickly but failed to establish stability.

What happened after Alexander’s death in 323 BCE regarding his empire?

Macedonian military leaders vied for power.

Who was Perdiccas and what happened to him?

A chiliarch who overstepped his authority and was later assassinated.

What declaration did Antigonus the One-Eyed make in 314?

He declared Cassander an enemy unless he released custody of the king.