North Africa
What sea most influenced the culture and trade of North Africa?
The Mediterranean Sea
Which river made life possible in ancient Egypt?
The Nile River
What did Egyptians believe happened after death?
The soul traveled to the afterlife (the Duat) if the person had lived a good life
What does “Mesopotamia” mean?
“Between two rivers”
What type of temple tower did the Sumerians build to be closer to their gods?
A ziggurat
Who was the first ruler to unite Mesopotamia into an empire?
Sargon of Akkad
What ancient North African city rivaled Rome as a major power?
Carthage
What discovery allowed historians to translate Egyptian hieroglyphs?
The Rosetta Stone
What were “Books of the Dead” used for?
To guide the soul through the trials of the afterlife
Which two rivers surrounded Mesopotamia?
The Tigris and Euphrates
Why did Sumerians use mud brick instead of stone for their buildings?
Because stone was scarce in the region
What was Hammurabi’s Code, and why was it significant?
The first detailed written law code; it provided justice based on divine authority
Carthage began as a colony of what trading civilization?
The Phoenicians
Who translated the Rosetta Stone in 1822?
Jean-François Champollion
What were shabtis, and what was their purpose?
Small funerary statues meant to do work for the deceased in the afterlife
What early city is believed to be Abraham’s birthplace?
Ur
What are votive statues, and what do their large eyes represent?
Statues showing worshippers’ devotion; the large eyes symbolize awe and attentiveness to the gods
What creature is represented in the Lamassu sculptures? (gate guardians)
A winged bull or lion with a human head
Why did North African art, like that of Carthage, show influences from many other cultures?
Because Carthage was a major trade hub connected to Mediterranean civilizations
List the three main periods of Egyptian history.
Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom
What was the purpose of canopic jars in mummification?
To store and protect the organs of the dead
What invention made record-keeping and administration possible in Sumer?
Writing (cuneiform)
What does the Standard of Ur depict?
A military victory showing scenes of war and peace
What was Nebuchadnezzar II’s most famous architectural creation?
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon
When Rome conquered Carthage in 146 BC, what artistic tradition did they introduce?
Roman floor mosaics
Why were early Egyptian civilizations considered “river valley civilizations”?
They developed along river valleys that supported farming and settlement
Why did Egyptians include mummified animals in tombs?
They were offerings to gods or companions for the deceased in the afterlife
What was the world’s first epic poem, written in Mesopotamia?
The Epic of Gilgamesh
What valuable material decorated Puabi’s Lyre, showing long-distance trade?
Lapis lazuli
What decorated blue structure served as Babylon’s grand entrance?
The Ishtar Gate