Geography & Archaeology
Greek for between two rivers.
What does Mesopotamia mean?
An advanced state of human society, containing highly developed forms of government, culture, industry and common social norms.
What is civilisation?
The Akkadian leader, touted as the man who started the first empire, also known as Sharrukin whose origin story involved being cast into the river as a baby.
Who was Sargon the Great?
An Amorite Babylonian King who ruled between 1792 - 1750 BCE, he inherited Babylon under his father, and he expanded the empire to include all of Mesopotamia by 1755 BCE. He was most famous for creating a detailed code of laws that set standards for trading and outlined a range of fines and punishments to achieve justice for all citizens in the empire.
Who was Hammurabi?
The chief god who was represented by winged disc or shown standing on a snake dragon. He oversaw all aspects of the empire and encouraged the king in battle. His seal was used to sanction official documents.
Who was Ashur?
Tigris and Euphrates
Which two rivers run through Mesopotamia?
The domestication of certain plans and animals <b>and/or<b> Farming, including cultivation of the soil for the growing of crops and the rearing of animals to provide food and other products.
What is agriculture?
He was Sargon of Akkad's grand son, unlike Sargon he claimed to be descended from the gods, and the people of the Akkadian empire did not like him for this.
Who was Naram-Sim?
The upper class/free citizens, these were landowners and officials, they had the most freedom and legal protection. They could own property and made decisions under the law; they were born free.
Who were the awilum?
The 'capital' of the Assyrian empire under the Sargonid Kings.
What was the city of Ninevah?
Zagros Mountains
Which mountain range borders the North of Mesopotamia?
The term could suggest that all other people and cultures were uncivilised. It could also put certain cultures above or before others. We also don't know if the people recognised each other as all belonging together.
What are the problems with the term civilisation?
Sargon's daughter who was appointed chief priestess of the temple to moon god Sin.
Who was Enheduanna?
These people were known as 'freed men', they were free but had fewer rights than those of higher status. They could still work, own some property and participate in society but they were not treated equally under the law as those of higher status.
Who were the mushkenum?
Sargon II, Sennacherib, Esarhadoon, Assurbanipal.
Who were the Sargonid Kings?
A method of study that focuses on uncovering physical sources, extends back to the beginning of human history and uses physical artefacts to provide insight about all human activity and reveal the lives of all members of society.
What is archaeology?
Around 10,000 BCE - 5,000 BCE societies start to domesticate plants and animals.
When did agriculture begin?
A script where characters were formed using three types of vertical lines pressed into clay tablets with reed stylus.
What is cuneiform?
These people had the least freedom, they were treated as property rather than full members of society, they were slaves.
Who were the wardum?
This military campaign occurred in 701 BCE and was recorded in a range of sources from the time, in including Sennacherib's prism and The Book of Kings.
What was the Assyrian siege of Jerusalem?
Determines the chronology of archaeological finds in reference to one another, it is based on the principles of stratigraphy and typology.
What is relative dating?
Breaking ground, selective hunting, leading herds to water/land and guarding herds.
What were some early agricultural techniques?
The King of Umma, who conquered the cities of Lagash and Kish, followed by Ur and Uruk, uniting all of Sumer, some argue it was actually he, who was the first creator of an empire not Sargon. It was Sargon who defeated him after he reigned for 25 years.
Who was Lugalzagesi?
This son reigned after Hammurabi's death.
Who was Samsuiluna?
Overreach, decline in wealth, weakened military, discontent with large scale deportations and relocations of conquered people, distrusted courts, internal rivalries between Ashurbanipal and his brother, which then continued between his sons and Babylonian independence.
Why did the Assyrian empire collapse?