Ancient Mesopotamia Glossary

Question 1

Mesopotamia

Answer 1

A term used to describe the lands between and near the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. It is mostly located in present day Iraq and Syria.

Question 2

Akkadian

Answer 2

a language spoken by most of Mesopotamia. it replaced Sumerian and the primary language.

Question 3

Akkadian Empire

Answer 3

The Akkadian empire wast the world’s first empire. It formed when the Sargon the great conquered many of the Sumerian city states and united them under one leader.

Question 4

Aqueduct

Answer 4

A man made channel built to carry water from one location to another.

Question 5

Ashur or Assur

Answer 5

-Ashur was the original capital city of the Assyrian Empire. It was also the name of the primary god in the Assyrian religion.

Question 6

Assyrian Empire

Answer 6

An empire known for their fierce warriors, the Assyrian Empire rose and fell several times to rule over much of Mesopotamia and the Middle East.

Question 7

Babylonian Empire

Answer 7

The Babylonian Empire ruled much of Mesopotamia from the city of Babylon. The empire rose and fell over the course of ancient history.
Chariot

Question 8

Chariot

Answer 8

The chariot was a two wheeled vehicle pulled by horses. It was typically used for warfare and was one of the strengths of the Assyrian army.

Question 9

civilization

Answer 9

A civilization is an advanced state of human society. Typically a civilization is marked by advanced government, agriculture, science, and culture.
Code of Hammurabi

Question 10

Cuneiform

Answer 10

One of the earliest forms of writing invented by the Sumer. It uses wedge shaped marks to make picture symbols on clay tablets.

Question 11

Cylinder seal

Answer 11

An engraved stone cylinder used to create a seal or signature on clay tablets.

Question 12

Dynasty

Answer 12

When one family rules a kingdom or empire for a period of time, passing down the reign to the next generation.

Question 13

Empire

Answer 13

A large number of states or regions that are ruled by a single leader called the emperor or empress.

Question 14

Gilgamesh

Answer 14

A Sumerian King of the city-state of Uruk. He later became known in mythology as a demigod with superhuman strength.

Question 15

Irragtion

Answer 15

Watering crops through man-made efforts such as ditches and canals.

Question 16

Lyre

Answer 16

A stringed instrument shaped like a small harp.

Question 17

Marduk

Answer 17

The primary god of the Babylonians.

Question 18

Mina

Answer 18

A unit of weight equal to 60 shekels or around 1.25 pounds.

Question 19

Nebuchadnezzar

Answer 19

A famous king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt much of the city including the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Question 20

Persian Empire

Answer 20

The last major empire of Ancient Mesopotamia, the Persian Empire conquered much of the Middle East.

Question 21

Scribe

Answer 21

A person trained in writing cuneiform script. They were well-respected in Mesopotamian society.

Question 22

Shekel

Answer 22

A standard unit of weight first used in Mesopotamia.

Question 23

Siege weapons

Answer 23

Weapons used to capture cities and take down walls. The Assyrians were experts at using siege weapons such as battering rams and siege towers.

Question 24

Stylus

Answer 24

A writing tool made from a reed that scribes used to make wedge shaped symbols on clay tablets.

Question 25

Sumer

Answer 25

The first human civilization in world history, the Sumer began to form towns in 5000 BC.

Question 26

Ziggurat

Answer 26

Large temples usually located at the center of a Mesopotamian city. Ziggurats looked like pyramids with a flat top.

Question 27

Zoroastrianism -

Answer 27

The main religion of the Persian Empire, it followed the teachings of Zoroaster.

Question 28

city state

Answer 28

A city-state is an independently governed region that is centered around a single powerful city. The civilization of the Sumer was governed by many independent city-states.

Question 29

Code of Hammurabi

Answer 29

A written code of law from 1772 BC. It was put in place by Babylonian King Hammurabi. It is one of the oldest detailed recordings of a code of law in world history.

Question 30

Fertile Crescent

Answer 30

A large area of land in the Middle East that is shaped like a crescent on a map. It runs from the Persian Gulf, along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, over to the Mediterranean Sea, and down the Nile River Valley of Egypt.