Geography & Environment
What does the word Mesopotamia mean?
“Land between rivers”
Which was the earliest known civilisation in Mesopotamia?
Sumer
What shape were most Mesopotamian homes?
Rectangular and made of mud bricks
What kind of religion did the Mesopotamians have?
Polytheistic (many gods)
What writing system did the Sumerians invent?
Cuneiform
Which two rivers surrounded Mesopotamia?
The Tigris and Euphrates
Who founded the Akkadian Empire?
Sargon
What were the main social classes in Mesopotamia?
King/Nobility → Priests → Upper Class → Lower Class → Slaves
Name one important Mesopotamian god.
An/Anu (sky), Enlil (storms/agriculture), or Ea/Enki (wisdom)
What mathematical system did they develop?
Base-60 system (60 minutes/hour, 360° circle)
What modern-day country is mostly located where Mesopotamia once was?
Iraq
What was the capital of Babylonia?
Babylon
What kind of jobs did people have?
Farmers, bakers, carpenters, potters, weavers, soldiers, etc.
Who had religious authority in Mesopotamia?
Priests and kings
What did the Sumerians create to measure time?
The first calendar (12 lunar months)
Name two reasons why people settled in Mesopotamia.
Fertile soil, water for irrigation, fishing, and farming
What was King Hammurabi known for?
Creating Hammurabi’s Code, one of the first written law systems
Did women have rights in Mesopotamia?
Yes, some rights such as in marriage and property
What was Hammurabi’s Code carved on?
A stone stele
What were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and who built them?
A wonder of the ancient world, built by King Nebuchadnezzar II
What were the Mesopotamian Marshes important for?
They supported wildlife and farming
What was Assyria most famous for?
Its strong military and roads
What was a ziggurat?
A temple that connected heaven and earth and was the city’s center
What was the idea of “an eye for an eye” from?
Hammurabi’s Code – punishment must fit the crime
What caused the decline of Mesopotamia?
Dust storms, famine, wars, and continuous invasions