Introduction to Mesopotamia and Early Civilizations

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to Mesopotamia and the development of early civilizations, focusing on locations, leaders, civilizations, and military tactics.

Mesopotamia

The land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, recognized as one of the earliest cradles of civilization.

Tigris and Euphrates

The two major rivers that define the Mesopotamian region.

Irrigation

A method of supplying water to crops, crucial for early civilizations' agriculture.

Civilization

A complex society characterized by urban development, social stratification, and governance.

Hammurabi

The sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty, famous for his law code.

Code of Hammurabi

One of the earliest and most complete written legal codes, established by Hammurabi.

Inequality in Law

The principle that in Hammurabi's code, penalties varied depending on social status.

'Eye for an Eye'

A principle of justice implying that the punishment should correspond to the offense, as exemplified in Hammurabi's code.

Hittites

An ancient civilization that conquered the Old Babylonians around 1700 BCE.

Bronze Age

A historical period characterized by the use of bronze, beginning around 3300 BCE.

Iron Age

The period following the Bronze Age, marked by the widespread use of iron for tools and weapons.

Assyrians

A Semitic-speaking people known for their military prowess and expansive empire in Mesopotamia.

Guerrilla warfare

A form of irregular warfare characterized by small, mobile groups of combatants.

Siege warfare

A military tactic that involves surrounding a city or fort to compel surrender.

Scorched earth policy

A military strategy that involves destroying anything that might be useful to the enemy while advancing.

Terror tactics

Methods used to instill fear among opponents, often to compel surrender without battle.

Nebuchadnezzar

A prominent Babylonian king known for his conquests and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, reportedly built by Nebuchadnezzar for his homesick wife.

Phoenicians

An ancient civilization best known for their maritime trading and the development of a 22-letter alphabet.

Lydians

An ancient civilization known for introducing coinage as a method of economic exchange.

Persian Empire

A vast empire established by the Persians known for its administrative efficiency and respect for local customs.