Rise of River Valley Civilizations - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the Rise of River Valley Civilizations chapter.

Neolithic Revolution

The transition around 10,000 years ago from hunting and gathering to farming and domestication of animals, leading to settled communities and food surpluses.

Agriculture

The practice of growing crops and raising animals for food.

Hunter-gatherers

Early humans who obtained food by hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants, using stone tools and developing fire.

Civilization

An advanced form of society with cities, complex institutions, writing, and technological progress.

River valley civilization

An early civilization that develops in fertile river valleys due to irrigation and abundant food, enabling growth and specialization.

Mesopotamia

Region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; cradle of early civilization known for inventions like the wheel, cuneiform, and Hammurabi's Code.

Nile River / Egypt

Civilization along the Nile in Northeast Africa; centralized pharaonic rule, hieroglyphics, pyramids, and embalmment.

Indus River Valley (Harrappans)

Civilization in the Indus Valley (Harrappa and Mohenjo-daro) known for urban planning, sewage systems, cotton, and undeciphered writing.

Huang He / China

Chinese river valley civilization along the Huang He (Yellow River); Shang dynasty; innovations in bronze, silk, and pictographic writing.

Sumerians

People of Mesopotamia who invented the wheel, sailboat, and cuneiform; built early city-states and ziggurats.

Cuneiform

Early writing system using wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay tablets.

Ziggurat

Step-like Mesopotamian temple pyramid, a prominent example of Mesopotamian architecture.

Hammurabi's Code

One of the world’s oldest written law codes from Babylon, detailing daily life laws and punishments.

Theocracy

A system of government in which religious leaders rule in the name of a deity.

Monarchy

A government ruled by a hereditary king or queen.

Hieroglyphics

Ancient Egyptian writing system using picture symbols on temples, tombs, and papyrus.

Papyrus

Early writing material made from the papyrus plant used by Egyptians.

Pharaoh

Ancient Egyptian king who ruled as an absolute ruler and was considered a god or representative of the gods.

Embalming

Preservation of the body after death to prepare for the afterlife, practiced by ancient Egyptians.

Mummies

Preserved bodies prepared for burial in ancient Egypt.

Pyramids

Massive monumental tombs built for pharaohs in ancient Egypt.

Judaism

Monotheistic religion of the ancient Hebrews, emphasizing one God and the Old Testament.

Monotheism

Belief in a single, all-powerful God.

Ten Commandments

Moral and religious laws given to the Israelites, foundational to Jewish and broader Western ethics.