Early Civilizations
Empires of Mesopotamia
Egypt
The Eastern Mediterranean
The Neolithic Revolution
100

Sumerian city-states developed near these two rivers.

Tigris and Euphrates

100

This Babylonian ruler conquered Akkad and Sumer and established his capital at Babylon. He proceeded to compile one of the earliest written code of laws. 

Hammurabi 
100

This river's predictable seasonal flooding helped make large-scale Egyptian civilization possible.

The Nile

100

This sea's name means "The Middle of the World"

Mediterranean 

100

A group of people that move around from place to place following the migration and growing patterns of their food.

Nomad

200

Because flooding in Mesopotamia was unpredictable, the Sumerians utilized this to manage their waters.

Irrigation/Canals
200

The Assyrians were able to conquer Babylon in part because they had this technological advantage over the Babylonians.

Iron Weapons

200

This writing system conveys meaning through pictures and symbols, and decorated important temples, tombs, and mummy sarcophagi.  

Hieroglyphics 

200

The religion practiced by the ancient Israelites, that according to scripture, was revealed to them by the Prophet Abraham.

Judaism 

200

The term for changing animals to be raised and used for human use, such as protection, eggs, meat, and labor. 

Domestication

300

Sumerian temples were built on top of these massive stepped structures.

Ziggurat 

300

The Babylonian Emperor helped build Babylon to its height, overseeing projects such as the Hanging Gardens.

Nebuchadnezzar II

300

Egyptians believed these people were gods and that following them helped maintain a stable world order.

Pharaoh 

300

This nomadic group eventually settled and spread their common language families far across Eurasia

Indo-Europeans

300

A village's farmers produce enough food that not everyone needs to spend their day getting food. This allows some villagers to become artisans, priests, or other specialized workers. What concept made this possible? 

Surplus

400

This Sumerian invention allowed goods to be transported more efficiently and helped make long-distance trade easier.

Wheels

400

Sargon kept Sumerian rulers as governors after conquering their cities. This kept people across a large area of land stay loyal to this empire.

Akkad

400

King Menes is remembered for doing this around 3,100 BCE.

Uniting Upper and Lower Egypt

400

This activity became the basis of Phoenician prosperity. and settlement across the Mediterranean. 

Trade

400

A community has farmers, potters, textile workers, and metalworkers. This division of jobs would have been difficult when everyone had to focus on obtaining food. What development made it possible?

Specialization 

500

Sumerian city-states were considered this type of government because their kings ruled with authority believed to come from the gods.

Theocracy

500

Sargon's grandson who claimed to be the "King of the Four Corners of the Universe."

Naram-Sim

500

This organization of officials and procedures allowed the pharaoh to administer Egypt's 42 provinces.

Bureaucracy 

500

The Phoenicians developed this linguistic system with 22 symbols representing 22 unique sounds. 

Alphabet 

500

A complex society with specialized jobs, a unique culture, permanent settlements, and advanced legal and political institutions.

Civilization 

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