Definitions
Define an Artisan
A person who uses specialized skills to produce goods or services
How did specialization lead to trade?
Fewer people were needed to farm to survive, more Sumerians began to specialize in a single trade. Goods were traded between city-states
Why did Sumerians use a system of measurements?
To avoid confusion and because land was very valuable. To measure land accurately.
What was the world's first empire?
The Akkadians
What was the thing King Hammurabi is known for?
The code of Hammurabi
Government with a leader whose power is inherited through a royal bloodline
What was built that increased trade and made transporting goods much easier?
Wheeled carts, boats with sails.
What was the system of measurements based on?
Based on the number 60
What was the second empire?
Babylonia
What is the significance of the Code of Hammurabi?
It was the first written code of laws that people followed.
What is cuneiform?
Mesopotamia's first writing system
Each Sumerian city-state was ruled by what who had absolute control over all aspects of city life?
A king
What religious beliefs did Mesopotamians have?
They were polytheists
Who was the Akkadian King?
Sargon the Great
What basic principal did the code of Hammurabi state?
All people should be held accountable for their actions
What is the Epic of Gilgamesh?
The oldest written epic about a king from Mesopotamia
What did Mesopotamians use to write cuneiform on?
clay tablets
Why did Mesopotamians build Ziggurats?
To appease the gods because they thought happy gods would bring peace and plentiful crops
What is an empire?
Many different lands under the rule of one government
It was a harsh set of laws that people followed. It was an eye for an eye type of code. People under one government should be held to one set of laws.
Define a city-state
A city and the surrounding areas of farmland that is governed by its own leader
What is the Epic of Gilgamesh about?
Gilgamesh, a king of Uruk, gets challenged by the gods to become a brave and fearless leader.
Why would some people sell themselves into slavery to help build the Ziggurat?
To pay off their debts
Who was the king of Babylonia?
King Hammurabi
Mesopotamians created a calendar. How many days did they count in a year?
360