Definitions
The oldest known writing system. It was created by the Sumerians.
What is Cuneiform?
The rivers on which civilizations settled in Mesopotamia.
What are the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers?
The river Egypt settles on. It flows South to North, and has a delta at the end of the river that provides very fertile land.
The river the earliest civilizations settled on in modern day India.
What is the Indus River?
The legal documents of Ancient Rome. They were created to ease tension between the upper and lower classes of Rome.
What are the Twelve Tables?
Another name for 'city-states' in the Greek Civilization.
What is a Polis?
Temples of ancient Sumeria. They were built tall enough so that Gods many reside in them.
What is a Ziggurat?
They are on top of the social pyramid in Egypt. They were believed to be descendants of the Gods and/or blessed by the Gods to have powers.
What is a Pharaoh?
The cities of the "Indus River Valley" civs. They seemed abandoned, and historians are not sure why. Name at least one (bonus points if you can name both).
What is Mohenjo-Daro and/or Harappa?
This philosopher taught Alexander the Great. He believed in building academies, and, like his teachers before him, was skeptical of democracy.
Who was Aristotle.
The widespread transition from hunting and gathering to farming and permanent settlements.
What is The Neolithic Revolution?
A leader who conquered the city-states of Sumeria, and created the first empire in the world.
Who was Sargon of Akkad?
A monument closely associated with Egypt. They were the tombs for the upper-class and Pharaohs.
The fixed social structure of Indian Civilization. It is tied to reincarnation and the idea of Dharma.
What is the Caste System?
The king of Macedonian who conquered Persia, India, and Egypt before the age of 32.
The idea that heaven has 'ordained' a emperor to rule. This right transfers from emperor to heir. This right can be 'revoked' by the heavens.
What is the Mandate of Heaven?
A fine material in rivers. When a river floods, it is left behind, causing the land to be fertile. Sumerians were able to settle in Mesopotamia thanks to this.
What is Silt?
A common practice after death. Egyptians believed it necessary to advance into the afterlife. This was a practice done exclusively by the upper-class for most of Egypt's history.
What is mummification?
This belief system that says that 'life is suffering.' This system says that you can escape the cycle of reincarnation and reach 'nirvana' by giving up possession and practicing meditation.
What is Buddhism?
He was the first official emperor of Rome. He took power after a civil war following the death of his adopted uncle.
Who is Octavian/Augustus Caesar?
A belief system of China in which the main tenant is to have harmony amongst people. Also teaches to respect authority in order to promote a better, more moral society.
What is Confucianism?
A legal text that calls for an 'eye for an eye' punishments. It was created to unify the Babylonian Empire.
What is Hammurabi's Code?
The first Pharaoh of Egypt. He united Upper and Lower Egypt.
Who is Menes?
A series of writings by the Indo-Aryans written in Sanskrit. These documents were ALSO the foundation of Hinduism.
What are the Vedas?
The predecessors to ancient Greece. Name at least one (bonus points if you can name BOTH).
What is the Minoan and/or Mycenean Civilization?