Mesopotamia and the Fertile Crescent civilization

Mesopotamia

Greek origins meaning “between two rivers”

Irrigation

Using canals, ditches, pipes, and streams to deliver water to dry land

City-state

An independent city and farmland

that surrounds it

Empire

A nation and the other nations that it has conquered

Cuneiform

An ancient written language that has wedged-shaped characters. A reed stylus was used to write characters

Artisan

A skilled craftsman that makes things using their hands

Manual laborer

Physical work done “by hand” instead of machines or animals

Polytheism

A religion that believes in many gods

Monotheism

A religion that believes in one god

Ziggurat

Large temples built by the Sumerians that had ramps, stairs and several levels

Scribe

A professorial writer or record keeper