Sumer
What evidence suggests that early Sumerian city-states were in conflict with each other?
They built large mud-brick walls around their cities.
What was King Sargon I's most significant achievement in ancient Mesopotamia?
Establishing the world's first empire
What aspects of Sumerian culture did the Babylonians adopt?
Religion, inventions, and written language
What geographic advantage did Ashur have compared to southern Mesopotamian cities?
Regular rainfall and access to the Tigris River
Who founded the first Persian Empire, and what was its original name?
Cyrus the Great and is also called the Achaemenid Empire.
Which Sumerian invention helped people keep records of goods, trade, and laws?
Cuneiform writing system
What defined a city-state in ancient Mesopotamia?
A city surrounded by farmland with its own government.
What made Hammurabi a successful ruler of Babylon?
He strengthened city walls, built temples and canals, and created laws
What made the Assyrian army unique for its time?
They were a standing army with career soldiers
What was one of Cyrus the Great's significant achievements regarding conquered peoples?
He allowed conquered peoples to continue their customs and religions as long as they paid taxes and obeyed Persian rulers.
What was the purpose of a ziggurat in Sumerian city-states?
It was used as a religious temple
How long did the Akkadian Empire last?
142 years
Who established the Neo-Babylonian Empire?
Nabopolassar
What technological advantage did the Assyrians have in warfare?
They used iron weapons instead of copper or bronze
What system connected the Persian Empire and helped with communication?
The empire was connected by many roads and a postal system.
How did Sumerian writing evolve over time?
It started with pictures and changed to syllable-based symbols.
What was a characteristic of monarchy in ancient Mesopotamia?
Kings ruled with absolute power
What were the Babylonians known for studying?
Astronomy and astrology
What significant cultural achievement occurred in Nineveh under King Ashurbanipal?
The first world library
What religion did the Persians mainly follow?
Zoroastrianism
What was a characteristic of Sumerian city-states?
Each had its own leaders and laws
What development helped communication across the Akkadian Empire?
The creation of cuneiform
What significant structures were built during Nebuchadnezzar II's reign?
The Gate of Ishtar and the Hanging Gardens
What factor contributed to the eventual collapse of the Assyrian Empire?
The empire became too large to maintain effectively
Who conquered the Persian Empire, leading to its fall?
Alexander the Great