Mesopotamia
What does the name "Mesopotamia" mean?
The Land Between the Rivers
What natural barriers protected ancient Egypt?
The Eastern and Western deserts
What natural barriers helped protect the Indus River Valley civilization?
The Himalayan and Hindu Kush mountains
What are the two major rivers in ancient China?
Yellow and Yangtze River
What is one of the earliest writing systems used in ancient Mesopotamia?
Cuneiform
Why is the region in and around Mesopotamia referred to as the Fertile Crescent?
It is extremely fertile farmland and has a crescent shape.
What role did the Nile River play in Egyptian civilization?
It provided predictable flooding that brought fertile soil
How did monsoons impact the Indian subcontinent?
They bring wet and dry seasons, affecting agriculture
What is feudalism?
An economic system where land is granted to subjects in exchange for labor
What materials were often used for writing in ancient civilizations?
Clay tablets and papyrus
What environmental challenges did the Sumerians face?
Desert, mountains, and irregular flooding
How did the Pharaoh's role make Egypt a theocracy?
The Pharaoh was both a political and religious figure, ruling as a god
What is the most remarkable achievement of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Well-planned cities laid out in a grid pattern with advanced plumbing
Who were the Shang?
An early ruling dynasty that created much of Chinese culture
How did writing systems help support trade in ancient civilizations?
They allowed for record-keeping and communication
What is a city-state and how did it function?
A city-state is a political unit that includes a city and its surrounding territory, functioning like its own independent kingdom
Why was mummification important for Pharaohs?
It preserved their bodies for the afterlife, allowing them to continue their rule
What evidence suggests the Indus Valley people had a strong central government?
The organized layout of cities indicates order and governance
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
The belief that kings ruled with the approval of the gods
They were used for religious texts and official inscriptions
How did Sargon of Akkad create the world's first empire?
He conquered both upper and lower Mesopotamia and ruled them as one kingdom
What did the pyramids reveal about the Old Kingdom Dynasties?
They showed a strong central government and the importance of the Pharaoh
What group of invaders swept into India around 1500 BC?
The Aryans from the Central Asian steppes
What was the dynastic cycle?
A pattern of rise and fall of dynasties, justified by the Mandate of Heaven
Why is the deciphering of the Indus Valley writing system significant?
It could provide insights into the culture and governance of the Indus Valley civilization