Fertile Crescent Facts #1-20 Flashcards
Before the rise of civilization people were nomadic. What does this mean/
They traveled from place to place hunting and gathering food.
How was the behavior of nomadic people regulated?
Through unwritten customs
How did ancient people progress in their social organization?
Nomadic clans to villages to city-states to empires
The first civilizations developed near these two rivers.
The Tigris and Euphrates
Why did the first civilizations develop in river valleys?
Annual flooding left silt on the surrounding land which enriched the soil.
How did the first farmers cope with challenges posed by rivers?
They learned to control flooding AND use irrigation systems.
What was the name of the area that gave birth to the first civilizations?
Mesopotamia
What do all civilizations need to survive and grow?
Resources
What was the first civilization of the ancient world?
Sumer
What are the five key elements of civilization?
Government
Writing
Organized Religion
Art, Architecture & Public Works
Job Specialization & Social Classes
What does polytheistic mean?
Believed in many gods and goddesses
How did the Hebrews differ from other ancient people?
They were monotheistic, not polytheistic
What was the most important religious duty of ancient citizens?
to keep their gods happy
What were temples in the Fertile Crescent called?
Ziggurats
What stood at the top of each ziggurat?
A shrine to the chief god or goddess of the city
