The Ground You Are On
This is the meaning of the word "Mesopotamia" in Greek.
What is "the land between two rivers"?
Mesopotamians believed gods controlled nature and daily life, leading them to place great power in this social class.
A government ran by a king or queen is known by this name.
This group of people, who could read and write, were highly respected in Mesopotamian society.
Who are the scribes?
This invention was originally for making pottery, but soon led to a chariots, revolutionizing warfare.
What is the wheel?
These two rivers were essential to Mesopotamian civilization.
What are the Tigris and Euphrates?
Mesopotamians built these stepped pyramid-like structures as temples.
What are ziggurats?
This governmental system is headed by religious leaders.
What is a theocracy?
The vast majority of Mesopotamians had jobs related to this primary activity.
What is farming?
This leader helped develop the composite bow.
Who is Sargon of Akkad?
This region, which includes Mesopotamia and the Nile River Valley, is known for its excellent farm land and early civilizations.
What is the Fertile Crescent?
This famous legal code, created by a Babylonian king, is one of the oldest recorded law systems.
What is Hammurabi's Code?
These leaders eventually took control from the priests and ruled the city states across Mesopotamia.
Who are the kings?
Mesopotamians often traded goods in markets using this form of economic exchange.
What is barter?
City-states often went to war with other cities when this valuable resource was used up, or became too salty.
What are fertile lands?
Mesopotamians developed this system of canals and levees to control the rivers and the flow of water.
What is irrigation?
Mesopotamians are credited with inventing this early form of writing.
What is cuniform?
These were collected by priests to fund the functions of the temples.
What are taxes?
This material was commonly used to make bricks for Mesopotamian buildings.
What is mud or clay?
Sargon of Akkad developed this group of professional soldiers who ate bread before him each day, doing away with the temporary use of farmers as soliders.
What is a standing army?
This fertile, mineral rich top soil was essential to Mesopotamian agriculture.
What is silt?
What is Kur?
Mesopotamian religion eventually collapsed and was replaced with this other religion in 450 CE.
What is Christianity?
Mesopotamians wore these sacred charms as protection.
What are amulets?
This essential metal made for powerful weaponry, chariots, and armor in ancient Mesopotamia.
What is bronze?