Vocabulary
What is cuneiform?
The first writing system ever established. This was done on clay tablets
Where does the Fertile Crescent get its name?
It is shaped like a crescent moon and has fertile soil
What invention was used to record laws?
Cuneiform
What is a myth?
Story about gods that explain people’s beliefs
Who is the leader of a city-state?
King/Queen
What is irrigation?
The use of controlled water to hydrate soil for growing crops
In what modern day country was Mesopotamia?
Iraq
What was used to protect the cities from invasion?
Walls and military/soldiers
Why was Mesopotamia a great place for the first form of writing?
What is an artisan?
Someone who specializes in a certain skills or craft. Usually they produce a specific type of product like weapons or pottery
What is a city-state?
A city that is also a separate, independent state
What does the word "Mesopotamia" mean?
The land between two rivers
This was used to create order and structure amongst Sumer...
Government
Who was responsible for reading and writing in Sumer?
Scribes
Why were there less farmers in the Bronze Age?
New technology made it possible to farm with less manual labor. People could then take on other jobs besides farming
What is polytheism?
The belief in more than one god
What are the names of the two rivers that surround Mesopotamia?
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
What were the streets of Sumer like on a typical day?
There markets for buying and trading goods. Dancers, musicians and performers in the streets. Artisans and merchants created many unique products like clothes, weapons, pots, pans, baskets, jewelry and toys for children.
What is the oldest piece of writing in human history?
The Myth of Gilgamesh
What group of people made up the bottom of the social class order?
Slaves
What is a ziggurat?
The site of the temple to the main god or goddess of the city
What body of water south of Sumer flooded to provide water for crops?
Persian Gulf
What invention enabled Sumerians to lift very heavy things at ease?
The wheel
How did Gilgamesh change as a character in his myth?
He was selfish and cruel, but learned that friendship and kindness were important
Why did Sumer collapse?
Greed and corruption from the wealthy people caused cities to fight over water and other resources