Vocabulary
What is social class?
an order based on power and wealth
What gave rise to civilization in Mesopotamia?
fertile soil for farming
What Mesopotamian invention had a lasting impact on mathematics?
the abacus
What is the geographical location of Mesopotamia?
Between the Tigris and Euphrates River
What did ancient Sumerians house in ziggurats?
religious shrines
What are artisans?
people who are skilled at making things by hand
How was the civilization of Sumer organized?
into separate city states
Why did Darius I have the 1,500 mile long Royal Road build?
to make communication across the empire easier
Which factors helped Sumerian agriculture flourish?
fertile soil, irrigation projects, ox-driven plows
Which ruler conquered Sumer to establish the powerful Akkadian empire?
Sargon the Great
What is polytheism?
a belief in many gods
What basic form of writing based on images of objects was first invented by Sumerians?
cuneiform
How did the Assyrians come to rule so many lands and peoples?
through superior iron weapons
Which Mesopotamian people were known for their seafaring skills and extensive trade?
Phoenicians
For what achievement was the New Babylonian Empire known?
the Hanging Gardens
What is an empire?
a group of different lands and people governed by one ruler
How did Sargon win loyalty within the Akkadian Empire?
by permitting people to keep local customs and rulers
What important aspect of their culture did the Phoenicians spread to trading partners?
their alphabet
What significant contribution did Hammurabi make to Mesopotamian civilization?
The codification of laws (Code of Laws)
What are raw materials?
substances from which other things are made
Why did Sargon's Akkadian Empire fall?
It grew too big to maintain order
How did Cyrus the Great treat conquered peoples?
He honored local customs and traditions
What result did agricultural surplus have?
growth in population
What did Assyrians use to conquer Mesopotamia?
bows and arrows