Persia and River Valley Civilizations: Political, Cultural, and Technological Insights

What geographical feature influenced the predictability of floods in ancient Egypt?

The Nile River

What role did deserts play in the development of ancient civilizations along the Nile?

Deserts provided barriers and isolation, uniting people along the Nile.

What does the acronym PERSIA stand for in the context of analyzing civilizations?

Political, Economy, Religion, Society, Intellectual, Art and Architecture.

What type of political system was common in ancient River Valley civilizations?

Monarchy.

What is Hammurabi's Code?

A uniform code of laws compiled by Hammurabi that includes 282 specific laws affecting community life.

What was the significance of Hammurabi's Code for the Babylonian Empire?

It helped unify diverse groups within the empire through a single set of laws.

What are the major contributions of the Sumerians in terms of intellectual achievements?

Writing, stories, written language, science, technology, and math.

What were the roles of women and families in ancient civilizations?

Women and families played significant roles in political, social, and economic institutions.

Which two rivers define the geographical area known as Mesopotamia?

The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

What civilizations flourished in Mesopotamia?

Sumer and Babylon.

What civilization emerged along the Nile River to the west of Mesopotamia?

Ancient Egypt.

What was the peak period of the Babylonian Empire under Hammurabi?

1792 B.C. to 1750 B.C.

What was the hub of both government and religious affairs in Sumerian city-states?

The temple.

What is one example of a significant artistic contribution from ancient civilizations?

Art and architecture that reflect cultural ideals.

What is the impact of political and legal ideas contained in Hammurabi's Code?

It laid the foundation for legal systems and governance in future societies.

What does the term 'social hierarchy' refer to in ancient civilizations?

The ranking of individuals based on their roles and importance within society.

What were the economic systems in ancient civilizations characterized by?

Trade, money, merchants, and exchanges between different civilizations.

What was a key characteristic of the Persian Empire?

It was known for its diverse cultural influences and administrative efficiency.

How did organized religion influence ancient civilizations?

It shaped beliefs and practices, guiding how civilizations understood the world.

What is one way art and architecture reflect the history of a culture?

They demonstrate artistic ideals and visual principles of the time.

What was a major contribution of the Mesopotamians in mathematics?

Development of a base-60 number system.

What is the significance of understanding the characteristics of major political systems throughout history?

It helps analyze how civilizations rise and fall based on governance.

What does the TEKS WH23A standard focus on?

Describing the changing roles of women, children, and families during major eras of world history.

What is the term for trading goods and services without money?

Barter.

What role did specialization play in the development of artisans?

It helped artisans develop their skills in creating jewelry, tools, weapons, clothing, and pottery, making cities centers of trade.

What was the significance of the Ziggurat in Sumerian society?

It served as a temple for worship and housed offerings to the city's god, as well as storage for grains and fabrics.

How did Sumerians view their gods?

They believed their gods were immortal, all-powerful, and exhibited human-like behaviors such as falling in love and quarreling.

What were the social classes in Sumerian society?

Monarchs, landholders, and priests at the top; wealthy merchants next; ordinary workers; and slaves at the bottom.

What opportunities did Sumerian women have in society?

Women could work as merchants, farmers, artisans, hold property, and join the priesthood.

What is cuneiform and when was it invented?

Cuneiform is a system of writing invented by Sumerian scribes around 3000 B.C.

What technological advancement did Sumerians achieve around 3500 B.C.?

They first used the potter's wheel to shape jugs, plates, and bowls.

What significant metal alloy did Sumerian metalworkers discover?

They discovered that melting copper and tin together produced bronze.

What numerical system did the Sumerians develop, and what modern measurements stem from it?

They developed a base 60 number system, which influences modern time measurement (60 seconds = 1 minute) and the 360 degrees of a circle.

What is the name of the oldest story in the world?

The Epic of Gilgamesh.

What were the environmental challenges faced by early civilizations in Mesopotamia?

Unpredictable floods and lack of natural barriers.

What type of government was established in Egypt, where rulers were considered gods?

Theocracy.

What was the significance of the Nile River for ancient Egypt?

It provided a reliable transportation system that helped unify villages and promote trade.

Who were the most important gods in early Egyptian religion?

Re, the sun god, and Osiris, the god of the dead.

What characterized the political structure of early Egyptian kingdoms?

They were ruled by pharaohs, who were considered god-kings.

What was the primary economic activity in ancient Egypt?

Farming, supported by the Nile's irrigation.

What did Sumerians believe about the afterlife?

They had elaborate burial rituals and believed in an afterlife.

What was the role of priests in Sumerian society?

Priests conducted rituals and were seen as intermediaries between the gods and the people.

What was the significance of the potter's wheel in Sumerian innovation?

It allowed for the efficient production of pottery, which was essential for storage and trade.

What was the impact of trade on Sumerian cities?

It helped cities become centers of trade due to the variety of crafts produced by artisans.

How did the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt affect its governance?

It facilitated centralized governance under a single pharaoh, enhancing stability and trade.

What was the relationship between kings and gods in Mesopotamia compared to Egypt?

In Mesopotamia, kings were seen as representatives of the gods, while in Egypt, kings were considered gods themselves.

Who were the most important gods in ancient Egypt?

Re, the sun god, and Osiris, the god of the dead.

What did the goddess Isis represent in ancient Egyptian culture?

The ideal mother and wife.

How many gods and goddesses did Egyptians worship?

More than 2,000.

What was the role of Anubis in ancient Egyptian beliefs?

He was the god and guide of the underworld who weighed the hearts of the dead.

What process was used to preserve the bodies of royal and elite Egyptians?

Mummification, which involves embalming and drying the corpse.

What was the social hierarchy in ancient Egypt?

The king and royal family at the top, followed by upper class (wealthy landowners, officials, priests), middle class (merchants and artisans), and lower class (peasant farmers and laborers).

What rights did women in ancient Egypt have?

Women could own and trade property, propose marriage, and seek divorce, receiving one-third of the couple's property if divorced.

What was the earliest form of writing in Egypt?

Simple pictographs.

What writing system did Egyptian scribes develop?

Hieroglyphics.

What material did Egyptians invent for writing that was better than stone and clay?

Papyrus.

How did Egyptians develop their calendar?

They calculated the solar year as 365 days, divided into 12 months of 30 days each, plus five additional days for holidays.

What numerical system did Egyptians develop?

A system of written numbers for counting, adding, and subtracting.

How did Egyptian scribes use geometry?

To survey and reset property boundaries after annual floods.

What medical knowledge did Egyptian doctors possess?

They could check heart rates, set broken bones with splints, and had effective treatments for wounds and fevers.

What was the purpose of pyramids in ancient Egypt?

They served as immense structures for the resting place of kings after death.

What was the time period of the Shang Dynasty in China?

Around 1700 B.C. to 1027 B.C.

What was the significance of Anyang in ancient China?

It was built mainly of wood and was the first city to leave written records.

What did the Chinese refer to their country as?

The Middle Kingdom.

What was the chief loyalty of individuals in ancient China?

To the family.

What is the Mandate of Heaven?

The divine approval that justified a ruler's authority.

What does the dynastic cycle describe?

The pattern of rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties in China.

What was a challenge faced by early settlers in China due to geographic isolation?

They had to supply their own goods rather than trading with outside peoples.

What percentage of China's land is suitable for farming?

About 10 percent.

What was the belief regarding family ancestors in ancient Chinese culture?

The spirits of family ancestors were believed to have the power to bring good fortune or disaster to living family members.

Who was the supreme god worshiped by the Shang dynasty?

Shang Di.

What method did Shang kings use to consult the gods?

They used oracle bones, animal bones, and tortoise shells on which priests scratched questions.

What was the chief loyalty of individuals in ancient Chinese society?

A person's chief loyalty was to their family.

What was considered the most important virtue in ancient Chinese culture?

Respect for one's parents.

Who controlled the family property and made important decisions in ancient Chinese families?

Elder men in the family.

How were women treated in ancient Chinese society?

Women were treated as inferiors.

What class governed the Shang dynasty?

A ruling class of warrior-nobles headed by a king.

What was a significant feature of the Chinese writing system?

Each character generally stands for one syllable or unit of language.

What technological advancements were made in ancient China?

Roads and canals were built, coined money was introduced, and blast furnaces for cast iron were developed.

What materials were used to build the city of Anyang?

Mainly wood.

What was the size of the wall that encircled the archaeological remains of Anyang?

118 feet wide at its base and encircled an area of 1.2 square miles.

What was a notable feature of the city planning in Harappa?

The city was partially built on mud-brick platforms to protect it from flooding.

What surrounded the city of Harappa?

A thick brick wall about three and a half miles long.

What role did the citadel serve in Harappa?

It provided protection for the royal family and served as a temple.

What trade goods were transported via the Indus River?

Gold, silver, semi-precious stones, copper, lumber, and luxury goods.

What evidence suggests that the Indus Valley civilization was a theocracy?

Archaeologists think it was a theocracy, but no temple sites have been found.

What kind of social divisions existed in the Indus Valley society?

Very little inequality was suggested by housing and artifacts.

What was a significant engineering achievement of the Harappan civilization?

Sophisticated plumbing and sewage systems.

What is notable about the Harappan language?

It has been impossible to decipher due to the lack of bilingual inscriptions.

What was the layout of cities in the Indus Valley civilization?

Cities were laid out on a precise grid system with fortified areas called citadels.

What did the artifacts from the Indus Valley suggest about their society?

They suggest a relatively prosperous society that could produce non-essential goods.

What was the time period of the Indus Valley civilization?

2500-1700 BCE.