river valley civilizations

City-State

A city and the land surrounding it that acts like an independent country.

Dynasty

A series of rulers from a single family.

Empire

A political unit where multiple peoples or countries are controlled by a single ruler.

Mandate of Heaven

The divine approval of a just ruler in Chinese history.

Loss of Mandate

A wicked or foolish king could lose the Mandate of Heaven, leading to the overthrow of a dynasty.

Fertile Crescent

An arc of rich farmland in Southwest Asia between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea.

Downfall of Indus Valley Civilization

Historians cite Aryan invasion, flooding, deforestation, resource exhaustion, and population increase.

Hammurabi's Code

A unified law code intended to unify diverse groups within the Babylonian Empire.

"Gift of the Nile"

Herodotus' remark indicating that the Nile's reliable rhythms created fertile land for agriculture in Egypt.

Hieroglyphics

An ancient Egyptian writing system using pictures to represent ideas, objects, and sounds.

Sargon of Akkad

The ruler who created the first empire by uniting northern and southern Mesopotamia.

Indus Valley

The location of an ancient river valley civilization in present-day Pakistan, known for cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro.

Monsoon

A seasonal wind that shifts direction at different times of the year.

Pharaoh

A king of ancient Egypt, regarded as both a god and a political/military leader.

Pictograph

A symbol or image representing an object or idea, such as hieroglyphics and cuneiform.

Polytheism

The belief in multiple gods.

Pyramids

Massive burial structures for pharaohs built during Egypt's Old Kingdom, showcasing advanced engineering.

Shang Dynasty

The first verifiable dynasty in Chinese history, known for bronze work and written records.

Theocracy

A government ruled by religious authority, exemplified by ancient Egypt.

Pyramids and Old Kingdom

They demonstrate the wealth, advanced skills, and strong central government of the Old Kingdom of Egypt.

Code of Hammurabi

Indicates that different social classes were treated differently in Babylonian civilization.

Role of Major Rivers

Provided fertile soil, facilitated trade and travel, and offered protection from invasions.

Chinese Writing Advantage

A writing system that could be read by people across China, regardless of spoken language.

Major Trading Partner of Indus Valley

Mesopotamia, evidenced by Harappan seals found in Mesopotamia and vice versa.

Hyksos

Chariot nomads from Asia who conquered Egypt due to their advanced weapons, including the chariot.

Indus River Valley Knowledge Gap

Limited understanding due to the undeciphered writing system, unlike other river valley civilizations.