Ancient Mesopotamia

the fertile cresent

an arc of rich farmland in southwest asia, between the persian gulf and mediterranean sea

mesopotamia

"land between two rivers"

silt

nutrient rich dirt that made the fertile cresent "fertile"

polytheism

belief in many gods

sumerians

early groups of people in the fertile cresent that invented cuneiform, and a number system in base 60

cuneiform writing. irrigation, wheel

3 biggest Sumerian inventions

epic of gilgamesh

long poem including some of the richest and entertaining accounts of Mesopotamian myths, yet based in truth, about an Assyrian king

sargon of akkad

conquerer that built the worlds first empire

hammurabi

king of babylonia from 1792 bc - 1750 bc

hammurabi's code

282 laws that Babylonian king wrote for his empire

mediterranean sea

sea west of the fertile cresent

hittites

first to yield iron weapon and pass technology on to the Assyrians

assyrians

great brutal empire around 700 bc , constructed libraries

chaldeans

Name the empire led by nebachapollasar, then by nebuchadnezzer

nebuchadnezzar

king of the Chaldeans, built the hanging gardens, son of nebachapollasar

Sargon

The ruler of the first Mesopotamian Empire

city-state

A village or city with rural area surrounding it. the region of Sumer was comprised of many of these.

ziggurat

This huge temple was made out of mud-bricks with sloped ramps and large terraces

Tigris River

This river was in the Fertile Crescent, only more to the north.

Euphrates River

This river was in the Fertile Crescent too, only more to the south.

social class

Groups with different levels of importance, usually based on wealth or power

Hammurabi

He was the ruler of the city/state of Babylon. He ruled between 1790 and 1750 B.C.

scribe

A person who writes things for others.

Mesopotamia

The area where present day Iraq is.

domesticate

To adopt an idea, to tame an animal, or to discover a plant for a human's own purpose

cuneiform

The system of writing developed in Mesopotamia.

polytheism

A person who believes in 2 or more gods.

Fertile Crescent

The partial moon shaped land that held the Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Chaldean empires in Mesopotamia.

Assyria

These people controlled Mesopotamia by threat of brutal conquests.

Sumer

The ancient region in southern Mesopotamia that contained a number of independent cities and city-states where the Tigris & Euphrates river meet

Babylon

Which empire had a capital city in Babylon and was known for its strict laws?

Mesopotamia

the cradle of civilization is a nickname for what area?

Euphrates

The ancient city of Babylon, capital of Babylonians & Chaldeans, was located on this river.

Tigris

The ancient city of Nineveh, capital of Assyrians, was located on this river.

irrigation

system that supplies dry land with water through pipes, ditches, and canals

surplus

an amount that is left over after a need has been met

Epic

style of long poem that records the deeds of a legendary or real hero

empire

large territory or group of many territories governed by one ruler

tribute

payment made to a ruler or state as a sign of surrender. hint think Hunger Games

province

a territory governed a politician of a county or empire. Assyrians popularized the use of these.

caravan

group of merchants traveling for safety, usually with a large number of camels

astronomer

a person who studies planets and stars

priest

only person allowed inside a Ziggarut

Akkadians, Babylonian, Assyrian, Chaldean

Name 4 major empires of Mesopotamia in chronological order

Ashurbanipal

Ruler of Assyrian empire

Assyrian empire

of the 4 empires, which was the largest in terms of conquered lands

Chaldean/New Babylon

of the 4 empires which was the smallest in terms of land under its control

irrigation

which invention lead to the success of the process of division of labor?
a. wheel
b. irrigation
c. surplus
d. bronze

high class

these people were members of which class?
priest, king, warriors

middle class

these people were members of which class?
farmers, artisans, merchants

low class

these people were members of which class?
prisoners of war, slaves, medically ill

position of planets and stars

Sumerians developed a 12 month calendar by recording the:
a. position of the stars
b. length of the seasons
c. amount of flooding
d. # of days with rainfall

false, code helped set boundaries and gave protection to those with little power

True or false
Hammurabi's code only protected the rich

Hammurabi's Code

what set of laws was later known as "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth"

D. They were tired of the brutal conditions and wanted a peaceful life like their parents

Why did the Chaldeans want to revolt against the Assyrians?
a. They were hungry for power & money
b. They were upset the capital was moved and wanted it back in Babylon
c. They were anxious to practice their battle skills
d. They were tired of the brutal conditions and wanted a peaceful life like their parents

The Sumerian system was based on 60, ours is based on 10

How was the Sumerian numeral system different than ours?
a. The Sumerian system was based on 60, ours is based on 10
b. The Sumerian system could not be written down, ours can
c. The Sumerian system contained negative numbers, ours does not
d. The Sumerian system could not be used to add & subtract, ours can

society with unique social, cultural and political systems

What is the best definition for civilization?
a. area with literate people and industrial/urban economy
b. A country whose people all speak the same language
c. A society based on hunting and gathering
d. A society with unique social, cultural and political systems

C. Iraq

What modern country was Sumer located in?
a. Syria
B. Egypt
C. Iraq
D. Turkey

D. Surplus

What does a society need to have before the division of labor occurs?
a. A writing system
B. common religious faith
c. wheeled vehicles
d. A food surplus

c. writing

Cuneiform is a form of ____________?
a. Irrigation
b. Empire
c. writing
d. religion

B. caravan

What did merchants travel together in?
a. Ziggurat
b. Caravan
c. cars
d. surpluses

A. Tigris & Euphrates

What were the 2 rivers in early Mesopotamia called?
a. Tigris & Euphrates
B. Euphrates & Nile
C. Euphrates & Persian Gulf
D. Tigris & Nile

Eye for an Eye

Summarize Hammurabi's Code:
A. do unto other's as you would have done unto you
B. Thou shalt not kill
C. Make new friends, but keep the old
D. Eye for an Eye

B. Ashurbanipal

Who was the most brutal leader?
a. Hammurabi
B. Ashurbanipal
C. Sargon
D. Mrs. Bruni

c. slaves

Who dug the channels for irrigation?
a. kings
b. farmers
c. slaves
d. merchants

d. Chaldeans

Who created the Hanging Gardens?
a. Babylons
b. Assyrians
c. Sumerians
d. Chaldeans