1
Why is the land around the 2 rivers called the fertile crescent? 6X
Due to regular and unpredictable flooding, which brings rich soil (called silt) to the ground and it gets left over when the water recedes. This is good for growing crops.
What does the word Mesopotamia mean? 7X
It means "between the rivers"
Name 2 things that the Sumerians made AND 2 types of musical instruments that they made. 6X
Jewelry and sculptures. Flutes and strings.
What is irrigation? 5X
Irrigation is taking water from a source and distributing it to different areas.
What is a Ziggurat? Who was responsible for creating the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? 15X
A large pyramid-like temple in the center of a city. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were created by King Nebu(chadnezzar).
What was Hammurabi's Code? 5X
1st written code of laws. "An eye for an eye"
Explain what Cuneiform was? What was it "written" on? 9X
Pictograph writing system that used wedge shapes and symbols for pictures, ideas, and sounds. Written on clay tablets.
What were 2 ways that farmers controlled the flooding? 4X
They built dams and channels (trenches).
Who was most famous king of Babylon? What were the years that he was king? 6X
Hammurabi. 1792-1750 BCE
What is Polytheistic? What is Theocracy? 7X
Polytheistic is the belief in many gods.
Theocracy is having religious leaders be the head of government
What are the 2 famous Mesopotamian rivers? What body of water do they drain into? 6X
Tigris and Euphrates. Persian Gulf
List the 4 major Mesopotamian civilizations in order. What year did they begin? 10X
Sumer (4500 BCE), Akkadians, Assyrians, Babylonians.
What famous river is located west of the Red Sea? 8X
The Nile River.
What body of water does the Nile River drain into? 9X
Mediterranean Sea
What continent is Mesopotamia found in? 10X
Asia
What is a tribute?
A peasant giving a ruler something of value as a thank you on a certain day.
What did the Sumerians invent? What year was the first evidence of this found? 8X
The wheel. 3500 BCE
What was the largest empire (at this time) that the world had ever seen? Who founded it? 8X
The Persian Empire. Founded by Cyrus the Great.
Explain the social structure (pyramid) of the Sumerians. 7X
Tier 1 - Rulers and priests
Tier 2 - Merchants, Artists, Scribes
Tier 3 - Peasant Farmers
Tier 4 - Captured Slaves
What 3 piece(s) of technology from math did the Sumerians create that we STILL use today. Explain. 7X
The number 60 for math. 60 sec in a min. 60 min in an hour. 360 degrees in a circle.
What are the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? What were they built on? 9X
A series of tiered gardens resembling a mountain built on a Ziggurat.
Explain the Epic of Gilgamesh is and is about. 8X
First piece of recorded literature. A long poem about a king who travels the world, performs great deeds, and searches for a way to live forever.
What were the 4 items that they traded FOR? What was the MAIN thing they traded to others? 10X
Ivory, copper, jewelry, pearls
Clothing
What reason (other than fishing) did Sumerians use ships? What body of water did they travel on? 9X
Trading.
Persian Gulf
What are the jobs in Tier 2 of the social structure? 10X
Artists - create paintings and sculpture
Merchants - buy and sell things
Scribes - the writers