Geography
What is favorable geography?
Natural features that support settlement, such as fertile land and access to water.
Name 2 inventions in Mesopotamia.
The wheel and cuneiform writing.
What does Polytheism mean?
The belief in multiple gods.
Which king is credited with restoring the city of Babylon, creating the Hanging Gardens, and conquering the city of Jerusalem?
King Nebuchadnezzar II.
What were the main economic activities in ancient Mesopotamia?
Trade and Farming
Why did early civilizations develop in Mesopotamia?
Due to fertile soil from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which allowed for successful agriculture.
What writing style was Hammurabi’s code written in?
Cuneiform.
Why did city-states in ancient Mesopotamia build Ziggurats?
To serve as temples for worship and to honor their gods.
What was another name for where the Assyrians lived?
Mesopotamia or Fertile Crescent
Why was the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers called the "Fertile Crescent"?
Because the land was very fertile and good for farming
Which rivers were central to Mesopotamian civilization?
The Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
What did the Mesopotamians develop to protect against unpredictable flooding?
Irrigation systems and levees.
What does Hammurabi’s code tell us about Mesopotamia’s society and its social classes?
It shows that society had distinct social classes and different laws for different classes, indicating social inequality.
Why was Hammurabi’s Code a major contribution to the development of civilization?
It established a written set of laws that governed society, promoting order and justice
What was a major crop grown by farmers in Mesopotamia?
Wheat
Can you identify where Mesopotamia is located on a map?
Mesopotamia is located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, primarily in present-day Iraq.
What farming invention, developed in Mesopotamia, significantly improved agricultural productivity by allowing farmers to till soil more efficiently?
The plow.
How did cuneiform help the Mesopotamian ruler Hammurabi in his role as a leader?
It allowed him to record laws, trade, and administrative decisions, facilitating governance.
What is the order of events that show how Mesopotamia was developed?
1. Agricultural settlements near rivers.
2. Formation of city-states.
3. Development of writing (cuneiform).
4. Establishment of laws (Hammurabi’s Code).
5. Expansion of trade and culture.
What type of work did most people in Mesopotamia do?
Many were farmers, but others were artisans or traders.
What natural barrier to the north helped protect Mesopotamia?
The Taurus Mountains
What device was invented in Mesopotamia to help with irrigation?
The shaduf.
What was the highest social class in Mesopotamian society?
The ruling class, including priests and kings.
Which ancient civilization is known for developing one of the earliest forms of writing?
The Sumerians.
Which empire was ruled by both Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar II
Babylon