World Civ Essay exam 1

Mesopotamia:

Developed along the Tigris and Euphrates. First civilization in the fertile crescent. Included Sumeria “Land between the rivers” 

Tigris and Euphrates:

Part of the fertile crescent and provided transportation, milder climate, protection and food production for Mesopotamia.

Sumer, Sumerians:

Origin of the people and their language is unknown. Sedentary agriculture, specialization, introduced polytheism, Organized gov: theocracy. The wheel. Monumental construction:

Sexagesimal:

: System of counting. Mesopotamian system of counting by base 60

Akkadians:

First empire known to history. Ruled by Sargon the Great.

Lugal-zagesi:

Last Sumerian king. Sargon took control over Sumer during this time. Different legends about his origins. Some say he was a cup bearer, some say he had a similar origin to Moses.

Sargon (of Akkad):

Ruler of Akkad. Created the first empire in history. Conquered Sumer. 

Hammurabi-

Hammurabi’s code was the famous first ever written code of law. Improved irrigation, army and repaired Babylonian temples. The empire collapsed almost immediately after his death.

Hittites

Based in Asia Minor. Invaded Syria. Killed the last of Hammurabi’s successors. Heavily influenced by Mesopotamian culture. Borrowed heavily from Hammurabi’s code. Good at military (Long ranged bows and chariots) Used Iron weapons but wouldn’t tell anyone

Kassites:

Originated in the Zagros mountains. Moved to Babylon and united them to ensure their survival.

Mitanni:

Same thing as the Mittanians. Built a Hegemonic (politically dominant) empire. First overrun by the Hittites and then overrun by the Assyrians.

First Intermediate Period(Egypt):

: No flood. A drought. Famine. Civil wars against a weakened throne. Outside invaders, Ran out of money. Drained from making pyramids

Amun (Amon) (Amun-Ra):

Tut returned to the worship of this god after outruling Atun. God of invisibility that later was combined with Ra

Phoenicians:

Semitic people who settled in what is today Syria and Lebanon. Lived along the coast and became the Mediterranean’s greatest traders. City states were Byblos, Tyre and Ugarit. Never unified so they were overrun by the Chaldeans (Neo Babylons)

Phoenician alphabet(s):

Was later adopted by the Greeks and eventually turned into English. Origins of our alphabet

Tyre:

Creation of the colony of Carthage. Trading city. Purple snail shells.

Ugarit:

Adaption of cuneiform. Writing led to the development of the phonician alphabet. 

Israel and Judah:

Two separate tribes of Israel. Judah is first plundered by Egyptians and later overrun by the Chaldeans. Israel falls to Assyria.

David :

Important king of Israelites. United the tribes of Israel.  Solomon’s father was not allowed to build the temple to God because he had too many wives

Solomon:

After Solomon’s death Judah and Israel divide because of conflict over succession. BUILT THE FIRST TEMPLE TO GOD. Was very wise (cut the baby in half)

Shoshenq I:

From Egypt. Plundered the temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. Possible that this is when the Ark of the Covenant was taken. 

Assyrians:

Moved into Northern Mesopotamia. Dominant power in that area. Done through a series of strong kings and cultural advances.

Tukulti-Ninurta I:

Assyrian king. Defeated the Hittites and Kassites. Captured Babylon. Destroyed Babylon city and stole the statue of Marduk, their chief god. Captured temples which caused Mesopotamians to revolt. Was murdered by his son.

Tiglath-pileser I:

Established Assyria as a major power in the region. Expanded the empire into Syria and south into Babylon. Fear was power

Ashurnasirpal II:

Assyrian king. Ruled by terror and fear. Beheaded his enemies. Smaller kingdoms paid tribute to avoid war. Wealth= Kalhu (previously prosperous trade city) Buried in Ahur

Shalmaneser III:

Continued collecting tribute and fear. Failed revolt between 12 kings. He shut it down. Including JEHU of Israel.

Tiglath-pileser III (TIG-PIL-3):

Expansion of the empire by annexing nearby kingdoms. Siege warfare: sealing walls and impaling. Resettled conquered people in new areas to prevent uprising. (adopted by Nebuchadnezzar a Babylonian) Capture of Babylon at the end of his reign. Deported groups and separated captured people so that they could not rebel. DEPORTED MANY ISRAELITES.

Sargon II:

Assyrian king. Son of Tig-Pil-3. Defeats the Israelites. Puts down several Chaldean Revolts in Babylon. Celebrates by building a new capital called Dur-Sharrukin.

Dur-Sharrukin:

Built by Sargon II to celebrate. Was quickly abandoned after his death but was a very archaeological find since it was very much preserved.

Sennacherib:

Assyrian king. of Sargon II. Angry guy who liked punishing the Babylonians. Assyrian capital moved to Nineveh. Never completed his achievements. Attempted to defeat the Hebrews. DID NOT DEFEAT HEZEKIAH OF JUDAH.

Ashurbanipal:

Terror and fear. No more Elamites or Egyptian uprisings. “Living the good life” Had the largest library at the time with about 22,000 clay tablets. Let his brother act like a puppet king of Babylon. His brother rebelled against him. EFFECTIVE FINAL KING (fought Elamites and Babylonian uprising and won)

Nineveh:

Assyrian capital moves to Nineveh under the rule of Sennacherib. 

Nebuchadnezzar II:

Chaldaen ruler of Babylon. Most successful king after Babylon’s independence. Battle of Carchemish. Rebuilt the city of Babylon. Built the gate of Ishtar. Built a new ziggurat also called the tower of Bable. Borrowed from the Assyrians. (Babylonian captivity)

Persians:

Empire created by Cyrus. They were successful because they were lenient towards their people. Their main religion was Zoroastrianism. Used to be Vassals of the Medians. Became more prominent with the decline of Assyria and Elam. Cyrus rebels against the Medians and creates the empire.

Royal Road:

Connected the satrapies together in Persia and would allow messages to easily get through to people. Created a postal system.

Hominids:

Man Like creatures. First found in Africa

Australopithecus:

Robustus and Africanus. Plant and carnivorous.

Homo Habillis:

“Handy man” Used simple stone tools

Homo Erectus:

Upright man” Could use fire if found in nature. Made and used tools. 1st to leave Africa

Homo Sapiens  

“Thinking man” Man-like creatures with big brains.

Neanderthal Man:

Early form of Homo erectus. Lived in Europe and adjacent Asia and Africa. Lived in caves, created tools, wore clothes, practiced religion. Introducing burial practices. Worshipped mother earth and believed in rebirth

Cro-Magnon:  

Later man, replaced Neanderthal. Found in Europe and considered fore-runner to modern man. Left paintings on cave walls.