Geography
What does the word Mesopotamia mean?
“Land between the rivers.”
Were Mesopotamians polytheistic or monotheistic?
Polytheistic
What was the first writing system called?
Cuneiform
What was a city that ruled itself called?
a city state
What is it called when people trade goods?
Trade.
Which two rivers were most important to Mesopotamia?
The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
What was the name of the large temple in each city?
Ziggurat.
What was one of Mesopotamia’s important inventions?
The wheel.
What was the ruler of a city-state called?
An Ensi or king.
What jobs did people have besides farming?
Artisans, traders, and builders.
Why was the Fertile Crescent a good place to live?
It had rich soil and water for farming.
Who prayed and worked in the ziggurats?
Priests.
Why did they invent writing?
To keep records and share information.
Why did they build walls around their cities?
For protection from attacks.
What did traders use to travel long distances?
Caravans with donkeys or camels.
What farming method brought water to crops?
Irrigation.
What were Enlil and Enki gods of?
Enlil – air, Enki – water.
What number did they use to measure time?
60
How did religion and government work together?
Priests and kings shared power.
What did they trade for wood and metals?
Food, cloth, and pottery.
How did having a surplus of food change people’s lives?
It allowed job specialization.
What did people believe about their kings?
They were demigods (half-man, half-god).
Name one invention we still use today.
Wheel, writing, sailboat, or calendar.
What made Mesopotamia different from earlier societies?
They had cities, laws, records, and technology.
What new tool helped move goods more easily?
The wheeled cart.