Key Terms
What is a scribe?
A trained writer.
What two rivers were central to Mesopotamia?
The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
Which valuable resources were the Phoenicians known for?
Purple dye and cedar wood.
What was Hammurabi's Code?
A set of laws associated with the Babylonian king Hammurabi.
Which city became a center of trade throughout Mesopotamia
Babylon
What is a ziggurat?
A large temple or religious building built to honor the gods.
What was the Fertile Crescent?
A region of fertile land in Southwest Asia where early civilizations developed.
What important contribution did the Phoenicians make to communication?
The alphabet.
Why was Hammurabi's Code historically significant?
It was a famous early example of laws written down for people to follow.
What does the term civilization describe in this unit?
A complex society with organized communities and systems such as government, work, and culture.
What is surplus?
Extra goods or resources beyond what is needed.
How did river flooding help farmers?
Floods deposited nutrient-rich soil that helped crops grow.
How did the alphabet make reading and writing easier?
It made reading and writing easier to learn and use.
Why do societies create laws?
To set rules, resolve disputes, and maintain order and safety.
Put these events in order from earliest to latest: Ur destroyed (2006 BCE); Mesopotamia settled (5500 BCE); Sumer's cities growing (3500 BCE); Sumer fell to Babylon (1759 BCE).
5500 BCE Mesopotamia settled → 3500 BCE Sumer's cities growing → 2006 BCE Ur destroyed → 1759 BCE Sumer fell to Babylon.
What is polytheism?
A belief in many Gods
Name two ways the rivers and nearby environment provided useful resources.
Examples: water, fertile soil, fish, tall reeds for boats, and clay for building.
Why could a city at an important trade location become wealthy?
It could attract merchants, exchange goods, and gain wealth from trade.
What is one way a ruler could enforce a law?
Examples: appoint officials or judges, investigate violations, or apply stated punishments.
What is the central idea of the passage describing useful river resources?
The rivers and surrounding environment provided resources that supported life and farming in Mesopotamia.
What is famine, and how could it affect a civilization?
A severe shortage of food; it can cause hunger, suffering, and population loss.
Use evidence to explain why rivers could be both helpful and dangerous in Mesopotamia.
They supplied water and fertile soil, but unpredictable floods could destroy homes, crops, animals, and lives.
Explain how selling goods that many people wanted could help a region become prosperous.
Demand brought traders and customers, encouraged exchange, and could create wealth and jobs.
Imagine you rule a city-state. Give one law, explain why it is needed, and how it would be enforced.
Answers vary; response should include a clear law, reason, and enforcement method.
Use evidence to support or challenge the statement: 'Rivers have often been the source of civilization.'
A strong answer uses evidence such as fertile soil and water supporting farming and settlements, while noting floods could also be destructive.