Geography & Civilization
What two rivers surrounded Mesopotamia?
Tigris and Euphrates
What does polytheism mean?
Belief in many gods
What is a city-state?
A city and surrounding land with its own government
What was the writing system developed by the Sumerians?
Cuneiform
What is a famine?
An extreme shortage of food
What region was known for its fertile soil and early civilizations?
Fertile Crescent
What does monotheism mean?
Belief in one God
What is the difference between a city-state and an empire?
A city-state is a city with its own government. An empire is a group of territories controlled by one ruler.
What was a person trained to read and write cuneiform called?
Scribe
According to the Tanakh, who led the Israelites out of Egypt?
Moses
Along what major body of water did Canaan develop?
Mediterranean Sea
What collection of Jewish holy writings preserved Israelite stories and beliefs?
Tanakh
Which Babylonian ruler is known for his code of laws?
Hammurabi
What were ziggurats built to honor?
The gods
What is the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt called?
Exodus
Why is Mesopotamia called a cradle of civilization?
Fertile soil and reliable food supplies helped people settle and build civilizations
How were the Israelites' religious beliefs different from those of the Sumerians?
Israelites believed in one God; Sumerians believed in many gods
Who were the first three Israelite kings?
Saul, David, Solomon
Why was cuneiform important to Mesopotamian civilization?
It allowed people to record information and keep records.
What does exile mean?
Being forced to live outside one's homeland
Describe how the geography of Canaan helped the Phoenicians.
The Mediterranean Sea allowed them to use ships to trade with distant places.
What two later world religions were influenced by Israelite religious ideas?
Christianity and Islam
What happened to the Israelite kingdom after Solomon died?
The tribes argued, and the kingdom split into Israel and Judah.
What did King David achieve as ruler of the Israelites?
He united the tribes and made Jerusalem the center of the kingdom.
Describe one way a stable food supply changed life in Mesopotamia.
People could settle permanently, develop specialized jobs, and build larger communities.