Vocabulary
This word, meaning extra, is what allowed Mesopotamians to be able to trade with other civilizations because they had more food than their population needed.
What is surplus?
These two rivers were where the Mesopotamians built their civilization in-between.
What are the Tigris and Euphrates?
These people were at the lowest part of Mesopotamian society.
Who are slaves/laborers/criminals?
The ancient Mesopotamians were very fascinated by this number. They built a whole number system around it.
What is 60?
Mesopotamia is known as the "Cradle of __________"
What is civilization?
This wedge shaped writing system invented by the Mesopotamians is considered the first written language.
What is cuneiform?
The first person to unite all of Mesopotamia hailed from this city-state.
What is Akkad?
These people were at the top of Mesopotamian society.
Who are nobles, priests, kings, government officials?
If you were looking for a skilled worker to weave you some clothing, make some pottery, or fashion something out of metal, you would be looking for these people.
What is an artisan?
Mesopotamians wrote on to this material that would later dry to record transactions, laws, & stories.
What is clay/wet clay?
Mesopotamians used this term when they diverted water away from the flooded rivers of Mesopotamia to water their crops.
What is irrigation?
One of the 7 wonders of the ancient world was this palace built to ease a Mesopotamian king's homesick wife.
What is the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?
Mesopotamia first became united under this Akkadian king.
Who is Sargon I?
This legendary king of Babylon wrote one of the most famous legal codes of the ancient world that many legal systems look to for inspiration.
Who is Hammurabi?
The earliest, best place to grow crops in the ancient world was known by this nickname.
What is the Fertile Crescent?
The largest building in most Sumerian cities was this mud brick temple where Mesopotamians would pray to their gods.
What is a ziggurat?
Ancient Mesopotamia was mostly located in these modern day Middle Eastern countries.
What are Iraq, Syria, and Kuwait?
This legendary king of Uruk had a pretty epic tale written about him and his friend, Enkidu.
Who was Gilgamesh?
This word which is essentially a small, self-ruling kingdom was how Mesopotamia first got started before they were united.
What is a city-state?
The name Mesopotamia is a Greek word that means this.
What is "land between two rivers"?
This occupation of writing was performed by members of the upper class of ancient Mesopotamia.
What is a scribe?
This location in ancient Mesopotamia is arguably the most well known because of a certain king and his legal code being from there.
What is Babylon?
This Persian king brought about the end of the Mesopotamian empire.
Who was Cyrus the Great?
One of the most famous laws from ancient Mesopotamia was this one that basically summarized the purpose of the entire legal code.
What is eye for an eye?
The ancient Mesopotamians were this word which means to worship many gods.
What is polytheistic?