What is the meaning of the name "Mesopotamia"?
land between rivers
Mesopotamians were polytheistic. What does polytheistic mean?
Believes in many gods
What was the first system of writing called?
Cuneiform
What type of government did the city-states have?
Monarchies
Who made up the upper class?
Kings, queens, priests
Where is Mesopotamia located in the present day?
Iraq, Syria and Turkey
Who were the Great Gods?
An, Ea, and Enlil
What were 3 of their greatest inventions or creations?
Wheel, plow, and sail
What did governments help do?
Collect taxes, built infrastructure, conduct trade and provide security
Who made up the middle class?
merchants, artisans and skilled workers
Mesopotamia is bordered by which rivers?
Tigris and Euphrates
over 3,000
What is an mathematical and astronomy achievements do we still use today?
Number system based on 60 or lunar-solar calendar
What was one of the earliest written law codes called?
Code of Hammurabi
Who made up the lower class?
farmers and enslaved people
What was the climate like in Mesopotamia?
Hot and dry
What were the temples called that were homes for gods?
Ziggurat
What did they create in order to bring water in to their crops from the rivers?
Irrigation canals
What was the economy based on?
Agriculture, trade and manufacturing
The society was patriarchal, what does that mean?
Men held most of the power
Fertile Crescent
Performed religious rituals, sacrifices and built temples
What was an architectural achievement of Mesopotamia?
Ziggurat
What were the 3 main crops?
Wheat, barley and lentils
The social structure provided social mobility, what does this mean?