Parallel
Moving or lying in the same direction and the same distance apart
Silt
fine particles of fertile soil
Cuneiform
a system of writing developed by the Sumerians that used wedge-shaped marks made in soft clay
What does Mesopotamia mean?
"The land between the rivers" in Greek
What were the cites surrounded by and what was the result from that?
It was surrounded by mudflats and patches of scorching desert which lead to isolation and no neighbors. They raised their own crops and made their own goods.
City-state
a city that governors itself and its surrounding territory
Ziggurat
a pyramid-shaped structure with a temple at the top
What are the two rivers, and how many more miles does it flow?
Tigris and Euphrates (1000 miles)
How were the people organized?
Jobs/Occupations
How many governments did each city-state have? What was the average population?
They each ONLY had ONE and they had 5,000 to 20,000 people.
Irrigation (what did they build)
a system that supplies dry land with water though ditches, pipes, or streams
(Canals)
Consisted
to be made up of
What is the negative impacted of floods?
It washed away crops, homes and livestock
When and who were the first settlers?
7000 b.c and herders and hunters
What was each Sumerian city-state protected?
Large city wall
Polytheism
a belief more than one god
Epic
a long poem that records the deeds of a legendary or real hero
What is the positive impact of floods?
It had Silt, or small partials of soils (which is good for the soil)
What did artisans and skilled workers specialize in?
Weaving cloth and making Pottery tools and weapons
What was short on supply?
Stone and wood
Surpluses
an amount that is left over after a need has been met
Scribe
a person who copies or writes or documents, often a record keeper
Were and when did the first civilizations developed?
3000 b.c in the river valleys of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and China
Who and what built the first cites in southwest Asia?
The sumers (Sumerians) Cites that were built are Ur, Uruk, and Eridu
What did they use to make for river for their main building material?
Mud with crushed reeds, framed bricks, and left them in the sun to dry