Mesopotamia: The Cradle of Civilization

Mesopotamia

Ancient region between Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Neolithic Revolution

Transition from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies.

Agriculture

Farming that transformed human lifestyles and societies.

Division of Labor

Specialization of tasks among individuals in society.

Fertile Crescent

Region known for early agricultural civilizations.

Natural Levees

Embarkments formed by sediment from flooding rivers.

Sumer

Southern Mesopotamia, home to early city-states.

Akkad

Northern Mesopotamia, unified under Sargon's rule.

Babylonia

Civilization formed by unifying Sumer and Akkad.

Assyria

Empire in northern Mesopotamia known for military might.

Ziggurats

Massive temples dedicated to gods in Mesopotamia.

Polytheism

Belief in multiple gods and deities.

Enlil

Supreme god of air in Mesopotamian religion.

Ishtar

Goddess of fertility and life in Mesopotamia.

An

God of heaven in Mesopotamian mythology.

Enki

God of water and the underworld.

Shamash

God of sun and law in Mesopotamian culture.

Trade

Exchange of goods that supported economic growth.

Writing

System of symbols for communication and record-keeping.

Mathematics

Developed for trade, astronomy, and agriculture.

Irrigation

Water management system for agriculture in arid regions.

Ziggurats

Large tiered temples dedicated to city gods.

Ziggurat of Ur

Famous ziggurat built around 2000 BCE.

Mud bricks

Construction material for ziggurats and temples.

Tower of Babel

Famous ziggurat over 100m tall.

Early democracy

Political structure based on citizen cooperation.

Warrior leaders

Emergence of leaders due to frequent conflicts.

Monarchial system

Political evolution from democratic structures.

Sumerians

First civilization with social and economic systems.

Irrigation

System for watering crops in Sumerian agriculture.

Cuneiform writing

First known writing system developed by Sumerians.

The wheel

Innovative invention by Sumerians for transport.

Bartering system

Trade method using goods instead of currency.

Akkadians

People unified by Sargon the Great in 2331 BCE.

Sargon the Great

Leader who conquered Sumerians and unified Mesopotamia.

Capital at Akkad

Political center established by Sargon the Great.

Babylonians

Civilization that reunited Mesopotamia in 1830 BCE.

Hammurabi

King known for creating a comprehensive law code.

Code of Hammurabi

Extensive legal code inscribed for public knowledge.

Mina

Currency unit equivalent to 60 shekels.

Shekel

Measurement of currency equal to 180 grains of barley.

Divinely inspired laws

Laws believed to be given by god Shamash.

Eye for an eye

Principle of proportional punishment in Hammurabi's code.

Assyrian Empire

First true empire in Mesopotamia, unified regions.

Hammurabi's Code

Ancient law code emphasizing justice and order.

Cuneiform

First form of writing, wedge-shaped symbols.

Pictograms

Pictures representing meanings or concepts.

Ideograms

Signs representing words or ideas.

Phonetics

Signs representing sounds, basis of writing systems.

Gilgamesh

Ancient epic poem, first known great literature.

Great Flood

Event mentioned in Gilgamesh and Nippur Tablet.

Nippur Tablet

Six-columned tablet detailing creation and flood stories.

Royal Tombs of Ur

Excavated graves revealing Sumerian culture and wealth.

Great Death Pit

Mass grave of guards and servants for afterlife.

Base-sixty system

Mathematical system used by Babylon, influenced time.

Mesopotamian Calendar

Lunar calendar based on moon cycles.

Ziggurats

Step pyramids serving as temples in Mesopotamia.

Bronze and Iron Weapons

Superior materials for warfare and daily life.

Permanent Army

Assyrian professional soldiers, estimated 200,000 men.

Taxation

Conquered lands paid taxes in goods and resources.

Scribes

Literacy elite serving as record keepers and priests.

Excavation Period

1922-1934, revealing Ur's ancient Sumerian treasures.

Cyrus the Great

Leader of the Persian Empire, conquered Mesopotamia.

Agricultural Innovations

Irrigation and farming techniques supporting large-scale agriculture.

Trade and Bartering

Economic system based on exchange of goods.

Mathematics Development

Innovations in mathematics, including units and calculations.