Mesopotamia
The worship of many gods
Polytheism
A set of laws that governed life in the Babylonian empire
Hammurabi's code
Soldiers who fight while riding horses
Cavalry
Belief in a single god
Monotheism
A leader who could rally the Israelites to defend their land
Judge
Mesopotamian system of writing that uses triangular-shaped symbols to stand for ideas or things
Cuneiform
Idea that all members of a society - even the rich and powerful - must obey the law
Rule of law
Money that is used as a medium of exchange, usually bills or coins
currency
Beliefs about what is right and wrong
Ethics
Jewish communities outside the ancient Jewish homeland
Diaspora
Brick, pyramid-shaped Mesopotamian temples
Ziggurats
State containing several countries or territories
Empire
a permanent army of professional soldiers
standing army or Immortals
First five books of the Hebrew Bible
The Torah
Jewish house of worship
Synagogue
To supply water to
irrigate
Idea or way of doing things that is common in a certain culture
Cultural trait
Grand stone pillar
stele
Escape of Israelites from Slavery to Egypt
Exodus
Separation from one's homeland
Exile
A region with good conditions for growing crops that stretches from the Mediterranean coast east through Mesopotamia to the Persian Gulf. Known for its curved shape
Fertile Crescent
Independent state that works with other states to achieve a shared military or political goal
Ally
Spread of cultural traits from one culture to another
cultural diffusion
Weekly day of rest
Sabbath
A person believed to be chosen by God to bring truth to the people
Prophet