Vocab Terms
Which term means “belief in many gods”?
A. Patriarchy
B. Polytheism
C. Empire
D. Tribute
B. Polytheism
Who created the first empire in Mesopotamia? What empire did they establish?
Sargon of Akkad
Which two rivers helped Mesopotamian civilization grow?
A. Nile and Jordan
B. Tigris and Euphrates
C. Indus and Ganges
D. Amazon and Nile
B. Tigris and Euphrates
Which empire stretched furthest into Asia Minor?
The Assyrian Empire
What was the Phoenician economy mainly based on?
A. Farming
B. Mining
C. Trading
D. Hunting
E. Colonies
C. Trading & E. Colonies
Define “tribute.”
A forced payment made to a ruler or empire as a sign of submission.
Which Babylonian king became famous for creating a law code?
C. Hammurabi
What was the purpose of irrigation in Mesopotamia?
Irrigation brought water from rivers to crops to help farming.
Which empire ruled Mesopotamia after the Assyrians?
A. Akkadian Empire
B. Neo-Babylonian Empire
C. Phoenician Empire
D. Sumerian Empire
B. Neo-Babylonian Empire
What important contribution did the Phoenicians make to writing systems?
They developed the alphabet.
Which vocabulary term best matches this description: “a group of many territories ruled by one leader”?
A. Colony
B. Patriarchy
C. Empire
D. City-state
C. Empire
Describe one important achievement of Nebuchadnezzar II.
He strengthened and beautified Babylon during the Neo-Babylonian Empire through major building projects, among these were the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
How did a food surplus lead to job specialization?
Extra food meant not everyone had to farm, so people could develop other jobs and skills.
What was one major effect of constant wars among Sumerian city-states?
A. Trade stopped completely.
B. The Phoenicians conquered Mesopotamia.
C. Sargon conquered weakened city-states.
D. Irrigation systems disappeared.
C. Sargon conquered weakened city-states.
Why did the Phoenicians establish colonies around the Mediterranean Sea?
Colonies supported trade, provided safe ports, and expanded Phoenician influence.
Explain one major difference between cuneiform and the Phoenician alphabet.
Cuneiform used hundreds of wedge-shaped symbols while the Phoenician alphabet used letters representing sounds and was easier to learn.
How did Sargon build his empire?
A. By inventing irrigation
B. By conquering weakened Sumerian city-states
C. By trading with the Phoenicians
D. By uniting Egypt and Mesopotamia
B. By conquering weakened Sumerian city-states
Which statement correctly describes Sumerian society?
A. Farmers were part of the upper class.
B. Women held most government positions.
C. Kings and priests were part of the upper class.
D. Everyone belonged to one social class.
C. Kings and priests were part of the upper class.
List the major Mesopotamian empires in chronological order.
Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian
How did Phoenician trade influence other cultures?
A. It ended cultural exchange.
B. It spread ideas and writing systems.
C. It weakened Mediterranean cities.
D. It stopped sea travel.
B. It spread ideas and writing systems.
How did writing systems help civilizations in Mesopotamia grow more complex?
Writing systems helped civilizations keep records, conduct trade, preserve laws, communicate ideas, and organize governments.
Compare Hammurabi and Sargon by explaining how each expanded or strengthened their respective Mesopotamian civilization.
Sargon expanded Mesopotamia through military conquest and created the first empire. Hammurabi strengthened Babylon by uniting his empire and creating a written law code.
Explain how geography helped civilizations develop in the Fertile Crescent.
Rivers provided water, fertile soil, transportation, and trade routes, which supported farming, food surpluses, trade, and city growth.
How did later Mesopotamian empires build upon Sumerian achievements?
Later empires adopted Sumerian technologies like the wheel, sail, writing system, irrigation methods, mathematics, and architectural ideas like ziggurats.
Explain why the Phoenicians had a lasting impact on later civilizations.
Their alphabet influenced Greek and Roman writing systems and eventually modern alphabets, while their trade networks spread ideas and goods throughout the Mediterranean.