Vocabulary
Watering fields using human-made systems.
Irrigation.
I was the king of Babylon and the founder of the first Babylonian Empire. I wrote a set of strict laws and was considered a fair and just leader. My empire weakened after my death because I did not say who should rule after me. Who am I?
Hammurabi
Why were scribes important in Sumerian government?
To write down the laws.
Why were the Mesopotamian communities called "city-states?"
Each of them had its own ruler, laws, way of life, etc.
An ancient wonder of the world built in Mesopotamia is the __________________
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Mesopotamians believed in many gods. This is called ____?
Polytheism
I have a famous story written after me and this is the oldest piece of literature. I ruled the city-state of Uruk and I am famous for building high walls around the city to protect it from attack. Who am I?
Gilgamesh.
What invention most affected the food supply in Sumer?
The plow
The name of Mesopotamia comes from its location, which was...
(Hint: Nickname)
The land between two rivers.
This civilization came after Sumer but before Babylonia and was the world's first empire.
Akkadian Empire
These people were similar to governors and they ruled over provinces (or administrative districts)
Satraps
I was the third ruler of the Persian Empire. I divided the empire into three large pieces called provinces. I created a standard currency/monetary system. Who am I?
Darius I
Which invention/achievement made it possible for Sumerian armies to use chariots?
The wheel.
This place was the world's first civilization in the Mesopotamian region. What was it?
Scribes had power in Mesopotamian society. What can you conclude (infer) from this statement?
People who could read and write had power and were part of a higher social class.
People who are skilled at making things by hand.
Artisans.
What Sumerian belief about the king helped strengthen the social order?
If you were in ancient Mesopotamia, you might have seen a levee or wall built. Why might this have been done?
To prevent floods from ruining crops and homes.
Mesopotamia is located next to which African country?
Egypt
DON'T LOOK AT YOUR NOTES!! In ancient Mesopotamia, who was at the top of the social class and who was at the bottom?
Top of the social class: Kings
Bottom of the social class: Farmers, less skilled workers, slaves
Why did a Ziggurat have a shrine at the top? What was it used for?
The shrine was a holy place to honor the gods they believed in. If they treated their gods right, good things would happen.
I am the FOUNDER of the Persian Empire. I was kind and allowed people to keep their religious beliefs and cultural traditions. Even though I died, my Empire lived on. Who am I?
Cyrus the Great
The calendar was created for what purpose?
To predict flooding for crops
Mesopotamia is often referred to as the ________ because of the shape of the area and its rich soil.
A brutal civilization that was very war like and would often conquer the civilizations around them.
Assyria.