Section 1
Define- irrigation and surplus.
Irrigation- large basins that hold water
Surplus- too much (surplus of food!)
Who created the world's first advanced society?
The Sumerians
Why was the wheel initially invented?
To make pottery! (ugly pottery!)
What are chariots?
wheeled, horse drawn carriages used in battle
Why was Sumer called a city-state?
It became so big that it included both urban and rural areas of land.
What are the two main rivers in the Fertile Crescent?
Tigris and Euphrates
What is the difference between rural and urban area?
Urban areas are cities, and rural areas are more like the countryside or large lands for farming.
What is cuneiform and how is it related to a scribe?
Cuneiform is Sumer's first writing system, which was written in clay with sharp tools. The scribe is the person who was able to write in cuneiform.
After Hammurabi, Mesopotamia was invaded by 4 more people. Name these people in the order in which they invaded.
1. Hitittes, 2. Kassites, 3. Assyrians, 4. Chaldeans
How many laws are in Hammurabi's code? And, what would make your punishment worse?
282 laws- your punishment was worse if you committed a crime against someone who was high in the social order
Floods brought silt to the Fertile Crescent. What is silt? And, what is good or bad for the people?
Silt was good! Silt is rich minerals and soil, which helps farming.
Sargon was the emperor of the Akkadian empire. What is the definition of emperor and empire?
Emperor- leader of an empire (like a king)
Empire- multiple pieces of land with one ruler
What are three inventions created by the Sumerians?
The wheel, plow, first clock, sailboat, make-up/jewelry
What is the #1 achievement for Phoenicia? Describe it.
They created the first ever alphabet, but it was missing some letters, including the vowels.
The biggest city harbor for Phoenicia was where...?
The city of Tyre
How did the Fertile Crescent get its name?
Because of its rich soil, which was good for farming.
What religion did Sumerians believe in? Describe it.
Polytheism- the belief of many gods
The Sumerians were the first "doctors." Explain.
They treated symptoms with medicine and made remedies (using plants).
Who is Hammurabi and what is he famous for?
Hammurabi was the king of Babylon, who is most famous for "Hammurabi's Code" (set of laws).
When the Assyrians took control of Babylon- what happened?
They were scary and violent! It was a terrible time for the people of Babylon.
What is the "division of labor"? Why did it form?
There was no more need of farming because they made too much food! Division of labor are specializations in other fields or jobs for people, like religious and government leaders.
What is a social order? List the 5 main people in Sumerians social order.
Social order is the list of people based on their importance in society.
1. Kings
2. Priests
3. Merchants/Working Class
4. Farmers/Laborers
5. Slaves
The Sumerian arts included the ziggurat and the cylinder seal. Define both.
The ziggurat is a pyramid shaped temple, and the cylinder seal is a cylinder rock with pictures on it that can be imprinted in clay.
Who is Nebuchadnezzar? What is he famous for?
King Nebuchadnezzar was the Chaldean king. He helped restore Sumer after the Assyrians and made it beautiful again. He is famous for the the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
How is Mesopotamia related to the Fertile Crescent and to Sumer?
Mesopotamia is a region located withIN the Fertile Crescent. Sumer is a city withIN Mesopotamia.