Religion
Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt were ______ societies
Polytheistic
What was the first form of writing called? Describe it.
The leader in Ancient Egypt is known as a ________
Pharoah
Who built the pyramids?
Traditionally it has been said that they were built by slaves, but today we know that they were built by skilled workers who lived in good conditions with food, medical assistance, and rest.
Name the river in Egypt and the two rivers in Mesopotamia
Egypt: Nile River
Mesopotamia: Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
What Mesopotamian structure was built to worship the gods? What was the upper part called?
Ziggurats, upper part "House of Gods"
What did Assyrians in Mesopotamia build to demonstrate their power?
Gigantic palaces with dramatic art and architecture
How were Mesopotamian and Ancient Egyptian societies structured?
Hierarchically and split into two groups: privileged and non-privileged
What was the purpose of the sculptures and paintings in Ancient Egyptian temples and paintings?
Religious worship and a reflection of the victories of the pharaoh
What is the name for city civilizations that were independent, but traded with each other
City States
What was the importance of the afterlife and tombs for Ancient Egyptians?
The afterlife was believed to be a new life after death without suffering. In order to enjoy the afterlife, Egyptians were buried in tombs in mummified form with their personal objects, such as clothes, jewelry, food, mummified animals, etc.
Who unified Upper and Lower Egypt around 3100 BC?
King Menes, the first pharaoh of all of Egypt
What was the first legal code in history? Where did it originate?
"Code of Hammurabi" - King Hammurabi of the Babylonian Empire
What symbols were used to represent the pharaoh in Egyptian reliefs and paintings?
The red crown symbolizing Lower Egypt, the red crown symbolizing Upper Egypt, the blue crown of war, the klaft or nemes (a cloth wreath decorated with stripes), and the whip and cane, symbols of power.
What are civilizations built around rivers called?
Fluvial Civilizations
Describe the mummification process, in order
1) The body is washed
2) Organs are removed and stored in canopic vessels. The heart is the only organ left in the body because it is where the soul is.
3) The body is covered with natron (a salt used to dry it and prevent it from rotting) for 35 days
4) After 35 days, the body is filled with natron.
5) The body is covered with resin and completely bandaged before being placed in a sarcophagus
What are two famous monuments from the Neo-Babylonian Empire?
The Ishtar Gate and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Who was in the privileged group in Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt?
The king or pharaoh, the nobility, army commanders, priests, and scribes.
What did Ancient Egyptian paintings usually depict?
Name eight important Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses.
Nut, Geb, Osiris, Set, Isis, Nephthys, Anubis, Horus.
What is the Ancient Egyptian "Book of the Dead"? Why was it necessary?
A long papyrus that served as an "instruction manual" for the deceased to reach the afterlife. Reaching the afterlife was not easy even with mummification, people had to pass a series of tests.
What are some achievements of the Assyrian Empire?
They discovered how to make iron tools, they built the first war machines, and they were fierce and ruthless warriors.
What are the five Mesopotamian Empires, in order?
1) Sumer
2) Akkadian Empire
3) Babylonian Empire
4) Assyrian Empire
5) Neo-Babylonian Empire
Hieratism: hardly any movement in the body or facial expression
Idealization: the gods and pharaohs are represented in an "ideal" and perfect form
Hierarchical Perspective: the most important figures are represented bigger and in positions of greater importance (at the top, in the center, etc.)
Their narration of conquests and terrible punishments to which they subjected their enemies as well as scenes of their king hunting lions with his own hand were dramatized and made them appear extra strong.