Chapter 2 (Early River Valley Civilizations) Flashcards
What is the Fertile Crescent?
The and near the Mediterranean Sea. Perfect for starting civilizations, because of the two rivers that flow through it (Euphrates River and Tigris River).
The shape of the land is where it gets the word “crescent” from.
What does Mesopotamia mean?
“Land between the rivers”
What is silt?
Silt is land that is used by farmers to grow agriculture on. Its mix of water and soil makes it conducive for good growth.
What are three disadvantages those who lived in Mesopotamia faced?
- Unpredictable flooding + sometimes no rain
- No natural barriers for protection
- Limited natural resources in the area
What are three types of remedies those in Mesopotamia (Sumer) used to rid their disadvantages of
- Flooding
- Lack of defensive walls/mountains
- Lack of natural resources
- Create irrigation ditches in order to control water supply for farming and drinking.
- Create brick walls around the city for defense.
- Trade with civilizations nearby for natural resources that you cannot find in Mesopotamia (such as stone, wood and metal).
What is a city-state?
Cities within a larger civilization that each run with its own independent governments and rules. (“Country within a country”)
What were the roles of priests in Mesopotamia/Sumer?
They were the ones with the most power. The most important part of their lives was religion, and therefore the priests made most of the major decisions.
What are Ziggurats?
The main temples within Sumer society. Each city had a ziggurat in its city-center, and it was used not only as a temple, but as a meeting place for government officials to make major decisions.
When did military leaders take on the role as head of a city-state?
Usually priests were in charge, however military leaders would take over when there was a war.
Define Cultural diffusion.
Cultural diffusion, is the process in which a new idea or a product spreads from one culture to another.
As the various cities in the Sumeria became more prosperous trade increased, which would also increase cultural diffusion.
What is the word used to describe religions that believe in multiple gods.
Polytheism.
Describe Sumerian religion.
For the Sumerians the strongest god was Enil, the god of storms and air. There were demon gods that protected humans from other demons.
The Gods of the Sumeria was similar to the gods of the Romans and Greeks (Quarter 3), and had very manlike personalities, they would get involved with humans personal affairs, have children, fall in love and so on.
Humans were at complete disposal of the Gods, if they got angry with one strike they could kill many people.
Humans believed that sacrifices were necessary to keep the gods happy.
They believed that life after death was gloomy, that people were sent to a “land of no return”.
How did the class system work in Sumeria?
At the top were Kings and landholders and some priests.
Wealthy merchants ranked next, followed by the average Sumerian laborers.
At the bottom was slaves (most being captured soldiers).
What did the Sumerians invent?
They developed a numbers system 1-60.
They developed a writing system, called Cuneiform (which they wrote on clay tablets).
They invented the wheel.
Who was Sargon?
Him and his group of nomads conquered the Sumerians around 2350 B.C.
Sargon adopted most of Sumerian culture and created the worlds first empire.
An Empire, brings together several peoples, nations, or previously independent states under the control of one ruler.
Sargons Empire would last for around 200 years.
Who were the Babylonians?
Nomadic warriors take over of the region around 2000BC. They call Babylon, a city on the Euphrates the new capital.
During the Babylonian Empires rule, Hammurabi would be in charge of the empires peak (1792BC)
What was the Hammurabi Code?
One of the most prominent leaders of the Babylonian Empire, Hammurabi, is most well known for the set of laws that he created.
There were 282 laws total, engraved on stone and made public.
The punishments differed depending on ones social class and gender.
How would the phrase, “an eye for an eye” apply to the Hammurabi Code?
Hammurabi believed strongly in the concept of reciprocation.
That if person A broke person Bs arm, the punishment should be person B can break person As arm.
He believed in reciprocity so strongly, that some of his rules were in great detail.
For example, if Person As son is killed by Person B. Instead of punishing Person B, the law would state that Person A can take the life of the son of Person B.
What were the environmental challenges Egyptians faced?
Flooding from the Nile River destroying crops and property.
Describe Upper Egypt.
Mainly desert country with a low population.
Describe Lower Egypt.
Heavily populated with fertile soil.
Who was King Narmer, and what is the significance of the city of Memphis?
King Narmer Creates the Egyptian Dynasty when uniting Lower and Upper Egypt and making Memphis the first capital.
Who were the Pharaohs?
The Kings that ruled Egypt.
They were known as being “God-Kings”, controlling everything from religion, government to military.
Define theocracy.
A government based on religion.
Such as the Vatican City or Saudi Arabia today
Pharaohs were thought to have ruled even after death with an eternal life force known as ___.
Ka
