Mesopotamia Study GuideTEST: October 22nd, 2008

Name: ___________________________________

Vocabulary

Cuneiform: system of writing. Wedge-shaped

Civilization: group of people in complex, organized society

Irrigation: method of watering crops

Ziggurat: huge, pyramid-shaped structure formed from a series of stacked rectangular platforms. A temple used to worship the gods.

city-state: city that is an individual unit, compelte with its own form of government and traditions.

Polytheism: belief in many gods

Monotheism: belief in one god

society : formed by establishing rules and traditions in an organized community

fertile: rich soil, good for growing

barter: the exchange of goods and services

Know the following material:

4 Major gods/goddess-Enlil-Anu-Ninhursag-Enki

The two major rivers in Mesopotamia-Tigris and Euphrates

The first civilization-Mesopotamia

The area between the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf -Fertile Crescent

Important contributions made by Mesopotamia-Wheel-Writing system, cuneiform-Irrigation-Money-Mathematics

Why Mesopotamia built such huge religious temples-show the importance of religion to society

How Mesopotamia farmers solved the problem of low rainfall-irrigated their crops/fields

What allows people to control when and how much they water their crops-irrigation

How did the people of Mesopotamia get the things they lacked-Trading

What two things did Sumer and Akkad fight over-Water and Land

How were kings chosen in Mesopotamia?-Kings chosen by the gods

Who was abandoned on a river, raised by a farmer and soon became king-Sargon

“An Eye for and eye and tooth for a tooth” is part of what set of laws?-Code of Hammurabi

Polytheism -Belief in many gods

The essential element for human development-Fresh Water

Surplus and how it affected the rise of civilization-having more than you need. An extra supply. -Allowed Mesopotamia to grow and become powerful

The link between heaven and earth for Mesopotamia-Ziggurat

The Sumer class system1. Kings2. Wealthy Business people3. Farmers/artisans4. Slaves

Two Major city-states of Mesopotamia -Sumer and Akkad

The inventor of the modern alphabet-Phoenicians

The inventor of the first coins-Lydians

The group who placed a high value on war and conquest-Assyria

Who’s death caused the split into Israel and Judah?-SolomonBabylonia

-what was their advancement in math? Place Value

According to the Hebrew Bible, who was the first Jew?-Abraham

The Hebrew people moved from Canaan to where?-EgyptWhat is the Hebrew bible called?-Torah

Who united the Hebrews and united Israel?-King DavidMonotheism-Belief in one godWho was given the 10 Commandments? -MosesMesopotamia in Lego’s Video Section Parts 1 and 2: Know the answers to those questions. Make sure you have both of the sheets.

From Nomads to Farmers Video: Know the answers to those questions.

Development of Written Language Video: Know the answers to those questions.