social science

What is Mesopotamia often referred to as?

The cradle of civilization.

What is a civilization?

A complex society.

Define irrigation.

A system of moving water to help crops grow.

What does the term afterlife refer to?

The belief in life after death.

Who was a pharaoh?

The king of ancient Egypt.

What is a ziggurat?

A pyramid shaped temple built in Mesopotamian city states.

What writing system was used in ancient Egypt?

Hieroglyphics.

What is significant about the Nile River?

It is the river in Egypt that flooded regularly.

What is Hammurabi's Code?

A written set of laws created by King Hammurabi of Babylon (eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth).

What did laws ensure?

Protection and control

What is cuneiform?

One of the first writing systems developed in Mesopotamia using wedge-shaped marks.

Define a city-state.

An independent city.

Which civilization developed around the Nile River?

Ancient Egypt.

Where did the Indus Valley civilization develop?

Near the Indus River.

What river did Mesopotamia develop between?

The Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Which rivers did ancient China develop along?

The Yellow and Yangtze rivers.

Name the four ancient cultures of Mesopotamia.

Sumerians, Assyrians, Akkadians, Babylonians.

What were some features of Sumer?

Walls for protection, ziggurats at the center, rulers claiming power through the gods.

What is the significance of ziggurats in Sumerian culture?

They were built to be closer to the gods and symbolized power and belief.

What did the Sumerians invent that we still use today?

The wheel, cuneiform, and irrigation systems.

Why did Mesopotamians trade?

They didn’t have everything they needed.

What goods did Mesopotamians trade?

Grain, cloth, and pottery for metals, wood, and luxury goods.

How did trade influence Mesopotamian society?

It led to the spread of ideas and cultural practices.

What are the foundations of civilization?

Civilization requires organization and problem solving beyond farming.

How did cooperation and trust contribute to culture?

Writing, invention, and trade create culture.

How did kings use religion in governance?

Kings used religion to legitimize their rule.

Why are rivers important for early agriculture?

Rivers flooded regularly, providing fertile soil and fresh water for crops.

What did the Sumerians contribute to civilization?

They were the earliest known civilization in Mesopotamia, developing around 4000 BCE.

What did the Sargon of Akkad do?

He united the Sumerian and Akkadian city-states and founded the world's first empire.

What was Assyria known for?

Their military strength and advanced warfare.

What major contributions did the Babylonians make to society?

They are known for Hammurabi's code and architectural achievements like the hanging gardens.