Geography
What two rivers were essential to Mesopotamian civilization?
The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
What was the purpose of ziggurats in Mesopotamian cities?
Ziggurats served as temples where priests performed rituals to honor the gods and as city halls.
Name one person who is at the top of the social hierarchy in Mesopotamia.
Priests, King, government officials
Name one Mesopotamian innovation
Wheel, cuneiform, pulleys, 12 Month Calendar, irrigation systems
What two crops were commonly grown by the Mesopotamians?
Barley and dates
True or False: Mesopotamia is often called the “Cradle of Civilization.”
True
What type of religion did the Mesopotamians practice?
Polytheism
Name one person who is at the bottom of the social hierarchy?
Slaves
What was the first writing system developed in Mesopotamia?
Cuneiform
What is the famous poem from Mesopotamia called?
The Epic of Gilgamesh
True or False: Mesopotamian farmers relied solely on rainfall for irrigation.
False
What does Polytheism mean?
the belief of more than one god
Name two people who are in the middle of the social hierarchy?
Farmers and artisans
What material did Mesopotamians commonly write on?
Clay tablets
What principle is Hammurabi’s Code famously based on?
An eye for an eye
What does the name “Mesopotamia” mean?
Land Between Two Rivers
What was the code of laws in Mesopotamia called?
Hammurabi's Code of Laws
Sargun created the worlds first _______.
empire
What tool did they commonly write with?
Reed stylus
What contributions did Mesopotamians make to mathematics?
They developed a base-60 number system, leading to the 60-minute hour and 360-degree circle.
What was the first known civilization in Mesopotamia called?
Sumer
What is a government ruled by priests or god called?
Theocracy
How many social classes were there? Name them.
3 - lower class, middle class, upper class
What was the purpose of Mesopotamian irrigation systems?
To control the flow of river water for farming and prevent flooding or drought
What is one modern-day country that is part of the Fertile Crescent?
Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Iran, and parts of Lebanon and Israel.