Vocab
fine particles of fertile soil
silt
a pyramid-shaped structure with a temple at the top
ziggurat
a payment made to a ruler or state as a sign of surrender
tribute
Describe the Code of Hammurabi
Eye for an Eye, Tooth for a tooth
Dealt with marriage, farming, business, etc...
Punishment matches severity of the crime
Influenced future codes of law
Who made up the lowest class in Mesopotamia?
Debtors
Criminals
Slaves
a system that supplies dry land with water through ditches, pipes, or streams
irrigation
a system of writing developed by the Sumerians that used wedge-shaped marks made in soft clay
cuneiform
a territory governed as a political district of a country or empire
province
Describe the city of Babylon
Richest city in the world Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Who made up the middle class in Mesopotamia?
Artisans
Fishers
Merchants
Farmers
an amount that is left over after a need has been met
surplus
a person who copies or writes out documents; often a record keeper
scribe
a group of merchants traveling together for safety, usually with a large number of camels
caravan
How did geography affect where people settled and how they lived?
Between Tigris and Euphrates
Fertile soil
Mild Climate
Who made up the highest class in Mesopotamia?
Kings
Warriors
Priests
Government Officials
Scribes
a city that governs itself and its surrounding territory
city-state
a long poem that records the deeds of legendary or real heroes
epic
a person who studies planets and stars
astronomer
What was the key to Assyrian success?
Iron weapons
How large was the Assyrian army?
50,000 soldiers
a belief in more than one god
polytheism
a large territory or group of territories governed by one ruler
empire
A farmer would create an ________ system to water their crops.
irrigation
How did bartering begin?
People were specialized in different jobs and traded goods and services since there was no currency (money) at the time
What two items did Assyrians trade from long distances for?
Wood and metal