Geography
This name means "land between rivers" and refers to the region between the Tigris and Euphrates.
Mesopotamia
What fine soil, carried by river floods, helped crops grow in Mesopotamia?
Silt
The area of a city plus its surrounding farmland governed by one leader is called a _____.
City-state
What was the name of the first writing system developed in Mesopotamia?
Cuneiform.
Which Akkadian ruler became the first emperor by conquering many city-states?
Sargon the Great
Name the two rivers that flooded each year, depositing silt that made the soil fertile.
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
What system did Sumerian farmers build to bring river water to fields when rainfall was inconsistent?
Irrigation canals
People who learned special skills (like weavers or potters) are called _____.
Artisans
Scribes wrote on what material because paper had not yet been invented?
Clay tablets
Around 2500 BCE, a group from the deserts settled in Akkad and adopted Sumerian culture. These people were called the _____.
Akkadians
What large body of water lies to the southeast of Mesopotamia and is connected to trade routes?
Persian Gulf
Farmers improved tools by making a stronger metal from copper and tin; what is that metal called?
Bronze
Why did specialization (people becoming artisans) increase after improvements in farming?
Because fewer people were needed to grow food, others could learn crafts and trades.
What tool did writers press into clay to make wedge-shaped symbols in cuneiform?
A sharp reed or stylus
The Assyrian Empire began near which city by the Tigris River and later expanded widely?
Ashur
Which mountain range to the northeast helped protect Mesopotamia from some invasions?
Zagros Mountains
Name two animals Sumerians domesticated that helped with farming or transport.
Sheep, cows, donkeys, pigs
What building did Sumerians raise to worship their gods, often located at a city's center?
Ziggurat
What is the name of the oldest written epic from Mesopotamia about a king of Uruk?
The Epic of Gilgamesh.
Name one reason why empires like Akkad or Assyria could expand across many lands.
Strong armies, better organization and leadership, control of trade routes and resources
Explain two major geographical factors that made the Fertile Crescent good for farming
River water for irrigation and fertile silt from floods
Describe how irrigation, bronze tools, and the invention of the wheel together helped cities grow.
Irrigation increased crop yield, bronze tools made farming more efficient, and the wheel improved transport
Explain how increased food production led to the development of city-states and trade networks.
More food allowed larger populations, which supported artisans, markets, and leaders.
Explain two ways writing (cuneiform) helped Sumerian city-states grow and keep order.
Writing recorded laws, trade transactions, seasonal records, and history; it allowed government administration, taxes, and training of scribes to preserve knowledge.
Compare how Mesopotamia was governed during Sumerian times (city-states) versus Akkadian rule (empire).
Sumerian times: many independent city-states each ruled by its own king.