2. River Valley Civilizations Flashcards
Why did early civilizations develop near rivers?
- Because yearly floods created fertile soil for farming
Mesopotamia
- A plain that’s between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
Mesopotamia is also know as…
Sumer
Earliest civilization
Mesopotamia
Fertile Crescent
- A desert region with a curved shape and rich land
Cuneiform
Used by Sumerians.
Wedge shaped tools pressed into clay to write
Ziggurat
Pyramid shaped Sumerian temple
Early wheel
- First used for pottery, and then for transportation by the Sumers
Hammurabi’s Code of Law
A single, uniform code of laws engraved into stone to help set punishments and unify his empire.
Theocracy
Rule based on religious authority
Why were pyramids important?
They were the resting place after death for pharoahs bc of ka: the life force was still present
Mummification
Used to preserve important bodies so they could safely reach the beautiful Other World
Egypt traded with and was later conquered by
Egypt traded with and was later conquered by the Kingdom of Kush in Nubia
Hieroglyphics
- Sacred carvings where a picture stood for an idea
Monsoons
Seasonal winds
In the Chinese method of writing, each character stands for…
1 syllable or unit of language
Dynasty
Rule by one family
China religious ancestor worship
The Chinese believed that the spirits of family ancestors had the power to bring good fortune/ disaster to living members of the family
How did the Chinese view their ancestors?
Instead of mighty gods, they were regarded as troublesome or helpful neighbors who demanded attention and respect
Civilization definition
A particularly well organized and developed complex society
Mandate of Heaven
Justifying Chinese rule with royal authority that came from heaven.
