Geography and Agriculture
Name the two rivers of Mesopotamia
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
List three Mesopotamian inventions or achievements:
Answers vary but can include:
1. invented the wheel
2. plow
3. cuneiform writing
4. irrigation systems
Who held the most power in Mesopotamia?
Kings and priests
Where were the Phoenicians located?
Along the Mediterranean Sea
Who founded the Persian Empire and expanded it?
Cyrus the Great
What is the nickname sometimes given to the area between these rivers?
Mesopotamia
What was cuneiform used for?
To record trade, laws, stories, and daily life.
What were the main social classes in Mesopotamia? (be specific)
Priests and kings
Merchants and artisans
Farmers and laborers
Slaves
Why were the Phoenicians skilled sailors and traders?
How did the Persian Empire manage to rule such a large territory effectively?
By dividing the empires into provinces and appointing governors to rule them.
How did the rivers influence the development of cities?
Provided fresh water, fertile soil (silt), transportation, and access to food.
What is the purpose of ziggurats?
It was a temple built to honor the gods.
What was the Assyrian Empire known for?
Strong military
What types of goods did the Phoenicians trade?
Answers vary
Cedar wood, glass, purple dye, etc.
What was the purpose of the Royal Road?
Faster communication
What 2 major natural challenges did the Mesopotamians face?
overflooding and droughts
Why were priests important? (2 reasons)
Important because they communicated with the gods and performed rituals.
Which king enslaved the Israelites and built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?
Nebuchadnezzar II
What is the most long lasting achievement of the Phoenicians?
How did the Persian Empire treat conquered peoples?
Allowed them to keep their religion and local customs.
How did the Mesopotamians solve flooding problems?
Created irrigation systems (like canals, dikes, dams, levees & ditches)
Why was The Code of Hammurabi important for Mesopotamia?
It established rules and punishments for the society.
What did the Persians use satraps for?
To help rule different regions of the empire.
Why were Phoenician city-states independent rather than unified?
They were more focused on trade and competing for better trade opportunities.
Where did the Persian Empire expand to? (You must name all regions!)
The Persian Empire expanded across Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa.