Early Empires
This ruler created the world’s first empire by conquering Sumer’s city-states around 2300 B.C.
Who is Sargon I?
Hammurabi is best known for creating this — a single, written set of laws for the empire.
What is Hammurabi’s Code?
This stepped temple tower stood at the center of Mesopotamian cities.
What is a ziggurat?
This wedge-shaped writing system was used on clay tablets.
What is cuneiform?
This Mesopotamian invention helped transportation and is a famous early technology.
What is the wheel?
This city became powerful under Hammurabi and was the center of his empire.
What is Babylon?
Under the Code, a person was considered this until proven guilty.
What is innocent until proven guilty?
Early leaders who controlled land for the city’s god and ran schools were these.
Who are priests?
Mesopotamia produced the oldest written records and the first written what?
What are laws? (or written laws)
This farming invention allowed more food to be grown with less effort.
What is the plow?
The region or people ruled by Sargon I — also the name of his capital kingdom.
What is Akkad?
Punishments in Hammurabi’s Code ranged from fines to what severe punishment?
What is death?
Mesopotamia’s famous epic that includes a flood story is named for this hero.
Who is Gilgamesh?
Their number system was based on this base.
What is 60 (sexagesimal)?
This technology used wind to help river travel and trade.
What is the sailboat?
After the death of this early empire founder, his empire eventually did this.
What is fell apart (or collapsed)?
Hammurabi appointed these officials to enforce and apply his laws.
Who are royal judges?
Mesopotamians were polytheistic; they thought humans had this role toward the gods.
What is to be servants of the gods (or to serve/please the gods)?
Using their math, they divided the circle into this many degrees.
What is 360?
Canals improved irrigation and were built or repaired under Hammurabi to help this activity
What is farming (or to help crops grow)?
The ~40‑year prosperous period during Hammurabi’s reign is called this.
What is the Golden Age of Babylon?
Dishonest judges or witnesses who lied could receive this fate according to the Code.
What is punishment?
Social classes were grouped as these three broad levels.
What are upper, middle, and lower classes?
They used this timekeeping device operated by controlled drops of water.
What is a water clock?
Babylonians exchanged surplus products and imported goods from places as far away as these two regions.
What is China and India?