This arc of land extends from the Persian Gulf to the eastern Mediterranean coast and contains rich fertile farmland.
What is the Fertile Crescent?
100
This ruler from Akkad was the builder of the world's first empire.
Who is Sargon?
100
This civilization was conquered by the Assyrians but later rose again to overthrow their rulers and reestablish their empire.
Who are the Babylonians?
100
These pyramid temples built across Sumer were beacons for their many gods.
What is a ziggurat?
100
This word describes the agreement between God and the Hebrews and was established through the prophet Abraham.
What is a covenant?
200
This region, also known as Mesopotamia, was the birthplace of civilization and lies between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what is modern day Iraq
What is Sumer?
200
This King of Babylon brought much of Mesopotamia under his control and publicated a remarkable code of laws to help bring order to his empire.
Who is Hammurabi?
200
These fierce warriors ruled much of the Fertile Crescent at the height of their power and were the ones to conquer the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C.
Who were the Assyrians?
200
The unpredictable flooding of these two rivers caused Sumerians to develop gods that were cruel and vengeful.
What is the Tigris and Euphrates?
200
This record of events and prayers is a central text to Judaism.
What is the Torah?
300
This city-state was the birthplace of Hammurabi and was mentioned prominently in the bible.
What is Babylon?
300
This Assyrian king was feared conqueror but also built one of the world's first libraries.
Who is Assurbanipal?
300
Cyrus the Great led the armies of this civilization in conquering the largest empire ever seen up until that point in history.
Who were the Persians?
300
This policy instituted by the Persians helped ensure stability by allowing conquered peoples to continue their own religious and cultural practices.
What is tolerance?
300
Spiritual leaders such as this act as interpreters of God's will.
What is a prophet?
400
This kingdom was the traditional homeland of the Hebrews and means "struggle with God" in Hebrew.
What is Israel?
400
This aggressive and ruthless Babylonian king built the Hanging Gardens to please his homesick wife.
Who is Nebuchadnezzar?
400
These people made a convenant with Abraham upon reaching the "promised land" establishing themselves as God's chosen people.
Who were the Israelites?
400
This religion was established by a Persian thinker and taught that the universe was divided between the forces of good and evil.
What is Zoroastrianism?
400
Husbands and fathers hold great legal and moral authority in this type of society.
What is a patriarchal society?
500
This region was the center of the Hittite Empire and is now the site of modern-day Turkey.
What is Asia Minor?
500
The Persian emperor helped bring order and stability to his huge empire by setting up satraps to be ruled by governors and practicing tolerance of other cultures and religions.
Who is Darius?
500
These people were best known as merchants and traders and have been called "the carriers of civilization" by historians.
Who were the Phoenicians?
500
This monotheistic religion argued for social justice and believed all humans including kings were equal in the eyes of God.
What is Judaism?
500
This king of Israel tried to build up his cities but heavy taxation and forced labor caused the kingdom to break up soon after his death.