Mesopotamia
What two rivers ran through Mesopotamia?
Tigris and Euphrates
What does the word "pharaoh" mean?
He who lives in the big house
What is specialization of labor?
As Egypt became more and more wealthy, unskilled laborers like farmers could spend their time on specialized fields like goldsmithing, stone masonry, carpentry, etc.
How did Egyptians explain events of nature?
They invented stories, myths, and legends to explain natural phenomena.
The sources of the Nile
What is Lake Victoria and the mountains in Ethiopia?
What was the name of the writing method developed by the Sumerians?
Cuneiform
Why did a bureaucracy of government develop in Egypt?
One man could not manage everything in Egyptian society. Each Pharaoh had to delegate some of his tasks out to close family members and important heads of other families. Eventually each city had its own had their own officials.
How accurate was the Egyptian Solar calendar?
It was mostly accurate, but it was 5 days short. Over time, those days added up and created a problem. They came up with legends to explain away the five "extra" days each year.
Why did Egyptians worship animals?
Priests wore masks of the animal god to whom they were appealing when performing religious ceremonies. Images painted of these ceremonies eventually became identified with animals themselves. Also, they believed deities lived in animals, and worshiped dangerous ones to keep them away and game to entice them to come near.
This caused the annual flooding of the Nile
What is heavy Spring rain and melting snow in Ethiopia?
What were some "nicknames" of Mesopotamia and what were their meanings?
The Fertile Crescent - Mesopotamia looked like a crescent shape, and it was well known for being very fertile land
The Cradle of Civilization - The birthplace of many of the first civilizations, where law, writing, and government began
Why was it considered sinful to disobey the Pharaoh?
Pharaoh was considered descended from the gods, so his commands were never questioned. his divine nature meant he could interpret the will of the gods.
Why did Egyptians spend so much time on the roofs of their houses?
The insides of their houses were hotter than the outside during the hot months.
Why did Egyptians believe in an afterlife? What legend explained the miracle of rebirth?
They observed the cycles of life and death around them and believed it would apply to them as well. They also feared death, and believing in an afterlife calmed those fears. The legend of Osiris and Seth.
How did the use of irrigation lead to the creation of a system of government?
They needed a system of organization to oversee the labor intensive act of building canals and to help inspect waterways for repairs. The neglect of one farmer could imperil the harvest of many families.
What laws did the Babylonians live by?
Hammurabi's code
What was the basic flaw in the design of the Bent Pyramid?
The angle of its sides was too steep. It would have resembled an upside down ice-cream cone!
What was the purpose of a cone of animal fat?
Guests were given the cone mixed with perfume to place atop their heads. Throughout the evening, the fat would melt and leave a sweet smell on the guest.
What was Ma'at?
The state of perfect harmony. Personified by a goddess of the same name.
What is a Shaduf?
A primitive water pump
What is the earliest story we have found in written form (versions found throughout Mesopotamia)?
The Epic of Gilgamesh
What were the Canopic Jars?
Jars dedicated to holding the internal organs.
What was the major form of transportation in Egypt?
Boats and rafts up and down the Nile
What did the Egyptians consider the center of human thought and emotion?
The Heart
Why is Upper Egypt located below Lower Egypt?
The Nile flowed from South to North, so Upper Egypt was located closer to the formation of the river