6th grade ancient history review

Mesopotamia

Included in the 2 questions for Egypt

• Mesopotamia means land between the two rivers (which provided water and transportation). It was a series of independent city-states (cities that ran themselves and had their own government, rulers, law, religion, etc. with no legal ties to other cities) lying between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.• The yearly flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers created rich soil allowing for good agriculture and early civilizations. However, the flood was unpredictable.

• New agricultural technique arose, such as irrigation through building dams, channels, walls, and ditches. These led to the rise of cities, religion, writing, science and math.• Mesopotamia built temples and held religious festivals to please the gods.• Hammurabi’s Code organized all laws, but was very harsh. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."• Mesopotamian's wrote using cuneiform. Cuneiform was first used to keep track of trade.• Main city-states included Sumer (considered the first civilization which included specialized workers, record keeping, religion, government) Babylon, and Assyria.• Sargon of Akkad had the first empire (a group of cities and people brought under one ruler).

Hammurabi’s Code of ancient Mesopotamian society was important because it

A listed the laws and the corresponding punishments. B explained how government officials were chosen. C established a single currency for use across the empire. D described how to perform formal religious ceremonies.

Cuneiform and hieroglyphics were important achievements in the development of

A written language.B religious beliefs.C agricultural production.D representative government.

Which civilization did not grow up in Mesopotamia?

A BabyloniaB AssyriaC KushD Sumer

What effect did the annual flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers have on Mesopotamia?

A People were forced to move from the rivers to the desert.B The flooding made the land useless for agriculture.C People were able to farm the land near the rivers.D The government put up walls to keep the water away from crops.

What was the most likely effect of advances such as the plow and improved irrigation on early civilizations?

A Population decreased.B Crop production increased.C Villages fought over new technology.D More farmers were needed to keep up the supply of food.