Unit 3 Study Guide

Mesopotamia

Land between the rivers

Present-day country of ancient Mesopotamia

Iraq

Importance of Tigris and Euphrates rivers

They created fertile soil through silt, allowing agriculture

First known civilization in Mesopotamia

Sumer

First Mesopotamian city

Uruk

What did each Mesopotamian city have in terms of government and religion?

Each city had its own government, laws, and gods

Resources lacking in Southern Mesopotamia

Stone, wood, and metal ores

Early trade method in Mesopotamia

By barter

Invention for long-distance travel inland

Wheel

Invention for longer travel along rivers

Sail

Number of social classes in Sumerian society

Three

Upper class in Sumerian society

Included rulers, priests, and wealthy merchants

Middle class in Sumerian society

Included farmers and skilled workers

Most powerful individuals in Sumerian society

Priests and government officials

Type of religion practiced by Sumerians

Polytheism

Role of priests in Sumerian society

They were the only ones believed to communicate with the gods and maintained records

Large temple structures in Sumer

Ziggurats

Uses of ziggurats

Storing goods and honoring the gods

First system of writing developed by Sumerians

Cuneiform

Original use of cuneiform

To record goods, trade, sales, taxes, and agreements

Epic of Gilgamesh

The first known story ever written, about King Gilgamesh of Uruk

First leaders of Sumerian city-states

Priests

Reason military leaders gained control of city-states

Priests appointed them during conflicts; eventually they kept control

Division of the hour by Sumerians

Into 60 minutes; minutes into 60 seconds

Metals mixed to create bronze

Copper and tin

Who established the first empire in Mesopotamia

Sargon

Empire ruled by Sargon

Akkadian Empire

Hammurabi's best-known contribution

Hammurabi's Code

Importance of Hammurabi's Code

It established laws for everyone, created unity, and reinforced the king's power

Empire known as a fierce, well-organized military state

Assyrian Empire

Weapons used by Assyrians stronger than bronze

Iron weapons

Location of Assyria

North of Babylon, along the Tigris River

Ashurbanipal's notable achievement

Building a library of cuneiform tablets

Nebuchadnezzar II's remembrance

Hanging Gardens of Babylon and building projects like walls and gates

Empire allowing conquered peoples to keep customs

Persian Empire

Year Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon

539 BCE

Darius the Great's organization of Persian Empire

Divided it into provinces called satrapies, appointed leaders, and allowed some local autonomy

Benefit of common currency in Persian Empire

It made trade easier across the empire

Zoroaster's teachings about Ahura Mazda

Ahura Mazda was a supreme god with an evil opponent; the universe is a struggle between good and evil; humans must work for good

Reliefs in Mesopotamian art

Carvings that stick out from a surface, often on steles or walls

Reason Mesopotamia is called the 'Fertile Crescent'

Because the rivers created fertile soil, allowing farming in a crescent-shaped area

Impact of the wheel on trade and travel

Made travel and transport faster and easier, allowing longer trade routes

Power of priests in Sumerian society

They were believed to communicate with the gods and controlled temple records and resources

Hammurabi's Code and unity in Babylon

By providing publicly known laws that everyone had to follow

Iron tools' effect on Assyrian army

Stronger and more effective for weapons and tools than bronze

Cyrus the Great's effective approach to conquered peoples

He respected local customs and religions, which reduced rebellion

Differences in governance between Sumerian city-states and Persian Empire

Sumer had independent city-states; Persia had a centralized empire with provinces and satraps

Importance of satrapies in Persian Empire

It allowed local leaders to govern efficiently and maintain control over a large empire

How trade spread Mesopotamian inventions

Merchants and travelers carried tools, writing, and other knowledge to new areas

Factors contributing to Persian Empire's size

Strong army, respect for conquered peoples, and an organized system of government