2.0 -River Valley Civilizations

Question 1

2.1 - River Valley =
Importance of River Valleys
(Major Civilizations)

Answer 1

River Valley = low-lying land formed by flowing water.
-Offers fresh water for drinking.
-Source of food.
-Fertile soil for farming.
-Easily defended location.
Stimulated agriculture – led to the first civilizations

Question 2

2.1 - What is the Fertile Crescent

Major Civilizations

Answer 2

= Arc of farmable land from Persian Gulf to Mediterranean Sea.
-Hebrews = between Mediterranean and Jordan River Valley.
-Phoenicians = Mediterranean Coast
Mesopotamia = Tigris and Euphrates River Valleys.
-Part of Fertile Crescent

Question 3

2.1 - Where are the civilizations located?

Major Civilizations

Answer 3

Egypt = Nile River Valley and Delta

India = Indus River Valley

China = Huang He (Yellow) River Valley

Question 4

2.1 - When did most of these civilizations exist?

Major Civilizations

Answer 4

Most of these early civilizations existed between 3500 BC and 500 BC.

Question 5

2.2 - Location

Mesopotamia

Answer 5

Between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

It is in modern day Iraq.

Question 6

2.2 - Who were the Sumerians?
(Government)
(Mesopotamia)

Answer 6

They were an ancient civilization that lived in independent city-states.

Question 7

2.2 - Who was Sargon of Akkad?
(Government)
(Mesopotamia)

Answer 7

Sargon of Akkad was the first ruler of united Mesopotamia.

Hammurabi of Babylon = Created first written law code.

Assyrians and Chaldeans - extended empires throughout all of Fertile Crescent and parts of Egypt

Question 8

2.2 - What is polytheism?
What are Ziggurats?
(Religion)
(Mesopotamia)

Answer 8

Poltheism = believed in many gods
-Believed it was their duty to keep gods happy
-Ceremonies, rituals, animal sacrifices
Ziggurats = temples built for the gods
-Most important building in city
-Homes of gods
-Only priests allowed inside - cared for gods

Question 9

2.2 - Contributions

Mesopotamia

Answer 9

Sumerians = first written language (Cuneiform)
-Based on symbols and pictograms
-Carved in to clay tablets with stylus
-Scribes learned to read and write
First to put wheels on carts
Math system based on 60
-Divided a circle into 360 degrees
-Divided a year into 12 months
Babylonians: first written law code (Code of Hammurabi)

Question 10

2.3 - Location

Phoenicians

Answer 10

Originated in Phoenicia

Established colonies around Mediterranean

Question 11

2.3 - Contributions

Phoenicians

Answer 11

Expert sailors and shipbuilders
Great trade network
-Ivory carvings, glass bottles and beads
-Purple dye
-Lumber
First letter alphabet – 22 letters
Spread culture and alphabet through trade

Question 12

2.4 - Who was Abraham?

The Hebrews

Answer 12

= FIrst leader of Hebrews

-“Father of Judaism”

Question 13

2.4 - Hebrews in Slavery

The Hebrews

Answer 13

The Hebrews migrated to Egypt to escape famine. They were then forced into slavery.

Question 14

2.4 - Moses

The Hebrews

Answer 14

Moses led the Hebrews on exodus from Egypt. They later settled in Canaan (Fertile Crescent).

Question 15

2.4 - What is the Capital?

Hebrew

Answer 15

The capital is Jerusalem.

Question 16

2.4 - What is Diaspora?

Judaism

Answer 16

Diaspora is the scattering of Jewish people from their homeland.

Question 17

2.4 - Major Beliefs of Judaism

Judaism

Answer 17

Monotheistic = believed in ONE god
Covenant = agreement between God and Hebrews
Holy book = Torah
Law Code = Ten Commandments
-Given to Moses by God
-Established high standard of morality

Question 18

2.4 - Major Beliefs of Judaism

Judaism

Answer 18

Language = Hebrew

Spread by exile and Diaspora

Question 19

2.5 - Location

Egypt

Answer 19

Nile River Valley and Delta

Delta = area of fertile land at the mouth of the river

Question 20

2.5 - Government

Egypt

Answer 20

Pharaoh = Egyptian ruler
-God-Kings (human forms of gods)
Pyramids = Tombs for pharaohs and their families

Question 21

2.5 - Religion

Egypt

Answer 21

Polytheistic = believed in many gods
-Closely tied to daily life
-Amon-Ra (God of the Sun) = most powerful god
Believed in afterlife – exactly like life on earth
-Mummified bodies to preserve for afterlife

Question 22

2.5 - Contributions

Egypt

Answer 22

Written language = Hieroglyphics
-Written on papyrus scrolls
Rosetta Stone helped us translate Egyptian writing
Obelisks = tall pointed pillars
-Carved with hieroglyphics and pictures
Math = system of weights and measurements (cubits)

Question 23

2.6 - Social Pattern

Characteristics of River Valley CIvilizations

Answer 23

Hereditary rulers (kings, pharaohs)
Rigid class structure
     -Slavery was accepted

Question 24

2.6 - Political Patterns

Characteristics of River Valley CIvilizations

Answer 24

First states (city-states, kingdoms, empires)
Centralized governments
     -Based on religious authority
Written law codes
     -Code of Hammurabi (Babylon)
     -Ten Commandments (Hebrews)

Question 25

2.6 - Economic Patterns

Characteristics of River Valley CIvilizations

Answer 25

Use of metal = better tools and weapons
-Led to an agricultural surplus
Increased trade led to development of cities and slavery

Question 26

2.6 - Religious Patterns

Characteristics of River Valley CIvilizations

Answer 26

Most early civilizations were polytheistic (many gods)

Hebrews = only monotheistic group (Judaism)

Question 27

2.6 - Language & Writing

Characteristics of River Valley CIvilizations

Answer 27

Pictograms = earliest written symbols
     -Pictures and symbols that represent words and sounds
Cuneiform (Sumer)
Hieroglyphics (Egypt)
Alphabet (Phoenicians)