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What is irrigation?
A way to water crops using canals and basins
What was the world’s first writing system called?
Cuneiform
Where was Mesopotamia located?
The middle east
Society was—
hierarchical (ranked in levels).
The Code of Hammurabi had how many laws?
282
What does the word Mesopotamia mean?
Between the rivers
Mesopotamians were polytheistic, meaning they—
believed in many gods.
What was the Code of Hammurabi known for saying?
“an eye for an eye.”
Who were scribes?
Trained writers
Sargon built a new city called ______ and made himself its king.
Akkad
Which two rivers were most important to Mesopotamia?
Tigris and Euphrates
What were temples in Mesopotamia called?
Ziggurats
Mesopotamians developed early astronomy and a calendar based on—
the moon and sun
What happened when farmers produced extra food?
People could have different jobs
What was the main idea of the Code of Hammurabi?
Punishment should match the crime
What is silt?
Rich soil mixed with tiny rocks left by floods
What does “division of labor” mean?
Workers specialize in different jobs
Which crops did Mesopotamians grow?
Wheat and barley
Around what time did people begin settling in Mesopotamia?
5000 BCE
Before the Akkadians, Mesopotamia was ruled by the:
Sumerians
What does “exotic rivers” mean in Mesopotamia’s context?
Rivers that begin in humid areas and flow across dry land
What roles did cities play in Mesopotamian civilization?
Centers for trade, religion, government, and culture.
Mesopotamians created a number system based on—
60
What type of houses did most people live in?
Mud-brick houses
Sargon the Great rose to power around:
2300 BCE