Mesopotamian Kings
What significant contribution did Hammurabi make to Mesopotamian civilization?
A system of laws
Tigris and Euphrates
How did early Sumerian city-stats defend themselves from attacks?
They built great walls
What was another name for the lands known as the "Fertile Cresent"
What form of writing was used to record the earliest story ever told?
Cuneiform writing on clay tablets.
How did Darius I improve communications in the Persian Empire?
He built a great system of roads
What was the name of the desert located south of Mesopotamia?
Syrian Desert
What was a major achievement of the New Babylon Empire?
What was the result of agricultural surplus?
Growth in population
What was the name of the oldest story ever recorded?
Epic of Gilgamesh
Why did Nebuchadnezzar II build the Hanging Gardens?
To make the city beautiful
What was the name of the sea located west of Mesopotamia?
Mediterranean Sea
Which advancement in technology helped the Assyrians build an empire?
Bows & Arrows
What factors helped Sumerian agriculture flourish?
Fertile soil, irrigation projects, ox-driven plows
How did Mesopotamians control flood waters?
Constructed irrigation systems and canals
Which ruler conquered Sumer to establish the powerful Akkadian Empire?
Sargon the Great
What was the name of the body of water located to the Southeast of Mesopotamia?
Persian Gulf
How was Sumerian society organized?
By social classes
Define Polytheistic
Belief in many Gods
How did the Assyrians come to rule so many lands and peoples?
Superior iron weapons
Which empire ruled ancient Mesopotamia the longest?
Babylonian Empire
What were the two mountain ranges near Mesopotamia?
Taurus and Zagros Mountains
How did the Persian Empire maintain order across lands from India to Europe?
by organizing the empire into provinces ruled by satraps
How many different empires ruled the lands of ancient Mesopotamia?
Five
Name the five Mesopotamian Empires
Sumerians
Akkadians
Assyrians
Babylonians
Persians