Vocabulary 1
What is a canal?
a waterway made by people, for the purpose of transportation or to carry/control water and irrigate farms
What is G and what does it relate to?
Geography- landscape, climate and agriculture
Why did people move to the fertile crescent?
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers provided water and fertile soil which made farming easier
How did geography improve the lives of people in ancient Mesopotamia?
People lived along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers which provided the fertile soil for easier farming and water for drinking and transportation.
What is polytheism?
the belief in more than one god
What is a ziggurat?
a massive temple building with rising layers
What is R and what does it relate to?
Religion- beliefs, traditions, and worship
Why was the Code of Hammurabi so important?
It was the first set of written down laws.
How did religion influence the lives of people in ancient Mesopotamia?
People had created statues to pray to in their place or worship. Religion influenced their laws and government. Priests were regarded as upper class and just as important as the king.
What is a scribe?
a person who works as a professional writer for the government or for a business
What is a city state?
A city-state is its own small country; it has its own king (or other style of government) and does not belong to any bigger nation.
What is A and what does it relate to?
Achievements- inventions, contributions, things to make their lives easier
Why were scribes important to the ancient world?
They were the only ones who were able to read and write, so they kept records.
How did achievements improve the lives of people in ancient Mesopotamia?
The achievements the people of Mesopotamia made were to make their lives easier. Things like the wheel, the calendar, the first set of written down laws, were created to make people's lives easier.
What is cuneiform?
the system of ancient writing invented in Sumer. The name comes from the wedge shape of the letters pressed into wet clay.
What is literature?
words of lasting value, either written or spoke that are generally considered to be a work of art
What is P and what does it relate to?
Politics- government, laws, power
Tell me the three things the Phoencians are best known for.
The Phoenicians are bets known for creating an easy to read alphabet, maritime trading, and purple dye from snails.
How did politics improve the lives of people in ancient Mesopotamia?
Having a set of laws that were written down allowed people to know the rules and control people and prevent chaos. The laws were connected to the religion of the city-state so that way people could ensure an after-life.
What is a stele?
an upright stone slab or pillar with an inscription or design
What is an empire?
a major political unit having a territory of great extent under one ruler
What is E and S and what do they relate to?
Economy- trade, resources, goods, money
Social Structure- classes, roles, responsibilities
Why was a ziggurat built with terraces?
They believed that the gods would use the terraces to come down to earth.
How was social structure important to people in ancient Mesopotamia?
Social structure was important because it allowed people to establish order, roles, and responsibilities within society, ensuring stability and organization.
What does conquer mean?
to overcome or take over another groups of people by force; usually done by a government