2.1 - City-States in Mesopotamia
city-state
Egyptian god-kings were thought out to be almost as splendid and powerful as the gods of the heavens.
pharaohs
seasonal winds
monsoons
Animal bones and tortoise shells on which priests had scratched questions for the gods
oracle bones
a large landmass that forms a distinct part of a continent
subcontinent
empire
a government in which rule is based on religious authority
theocracy
How were the planned cities of the Indus Valley different from other early cities?
They were laid out on grids and had sewers.
a political system in which nobles, or lords are granted the use of lands that legally belong to the king
feudalism
A broad, marshy triangular area of land formed by deposits of silt at the mouth of the river
delta
List 3 environmental challenges for the Summerians and their solutions.
Problems: Unpredictable flooding, dry climates and few natural defences/ resources.
Solutions: Irrigation ditches, walled cities and trading with other groups.
Why was Narmer a legendary hero in ancient Egyptian History? What did he wear that was so special?
Unifying upper and lower Egypt.
He wore a white and red crown.
What reasons are suggested for the disappearance of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Tectonic plate shifts altered the course of the rivers which changed the agriculture and trade.
What did Shang cities have in common with those of Sumer?
City walls for protection
the pattern of rise, decline and replacement of a new dynasty
dynastic cycle
List areas that Hammurabi's code covered
Family relations, business conduct and crime
How many dynasties did the history of Egypt consist of and spanning over how many years?
32 dynasties over 2,600 years
How were the people of the Indus Valley connected to Mesopotamia?
They were linked through the Indian Ocean trade.
How did writing help unite China?
People whos spoken language was different could read the same written language.
a command or instruction from a higher authority
mandate
How does an empire differ from a city-state?
a city-state controls only a city and its surrounding territory, whereas an empire controls many peoples, nations or states.
What is the difference between the roles of a king in Mesopotamia and Egypt?
In Mesopotamia, kings were considered representatives of gods.
In Egypt, the kings were gods.
List 3 environmental challenges the Mesopotamians, Egyptians and Indus all faced
1. Yearly flooding
2. Rivers sometimes changed course
3. Cycle of wet/ dry seasons brough monsoon winds that made rain unpredictable.
According to Chinese beliefs, what role did the mandate of heaven play in the dynastic cycle?
The Mandate of Heaven helped explain the cycle of the rise, decline and replacement of the dynasties.
"Sacred Carving"
Writing System
First written on stone/ clay
Hieroglyphic