Lesson 2/Civilization in Mesopotamia Flashcards by Jason Hafner

civilization

A centralized society with developed forms of religion, ways of governing and learning.

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technology

the skills and knowledge to make products or meet goals

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ziggurat

a huge, mud-brick temple built by the Sumerians

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government

an organized system that groups use to make laws and decisions

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city-state

includes a city and the farm-lands around it

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monarchy

one person that has complete authority to rule in peace time and lead soldiers in war time.

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authority

a right

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surplus

extra supply

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merchant

a person who buys and sells goods

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social class

groups with different levels of importance

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scribe

a person who writes things for others

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innovation

a new way of doing things

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What is a civilization (all 7 characteristics)

people living with shared:
social structure
stable food supply
religion
government
system of writing
culture 
technology

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How did dikes help the farmers of Sumer?

They held back flood rivers.

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How did canals help the farmers of Sumer?

They carried extra water back to the rivers.

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How did reservoirs help the farmers of Sumer?

They stored the remaining flood waters.

What were 2 inventions that helped the Sumerian people move things?

the wheel and sail boats.

How did the religion in Sumer reflect the importance of agriculture?

If they please the gods, they would get big harvests in return
If they displeased the gods, the would get floods and other natural disasters

Who was Enil?

the Sumer god of wind, storm and rain

Who was Ea?

the Sumer god of water and wisdom

What were 2 reasons city-states waged war with each other?

To enlarge their farm land

To get rights to use the water supply

Why did the city-states of Sumer need to provided stronger leadership?

They needed to have ONE government.

What kind of government did Sumerian city-states form to provide stronger leadership?

They created the Monarchy

Who was Gilgamesh and when did he rule?

He was a Sumerian king in 2700-2750BC. He ruled Uruk. Legends said he was 1/3 man and 2/3 god.

What effect did a food surplus have on life in Sumer?

Led to a division of labor. Some could farm and others could be metal workers, merchants, and managers.

Sumer merchants traded with merchants throughout what area?

the Fertile Crescent

What 3 things did Sumerians trade that they had in surplus

wheat copper tools barley

What 5 resources did the Sumerians get that they needed?

wood salt precious stone raw copper and tin

What were the 3 social classes in Sumer (and who were some of those people)

1. Kings priests and other important people 2. Middle class: Merchants, managers, carpenters, doctors, brick-layers, potters and scribes 3. Slaves

What kind of roles di Sumerian women fill

religious leaders and scribes. Also store owners, tavern keepers, bakers, brewers, midwives, textile manufacturers

Name 4 innovations developed by the Sumerians

1. Need to mark boundaries for farming led to a unit of land measurement called the IKU (now called the acre). 2. Need to measure wheat and barley led to the QUART as a unit of measurement 3. Need to carry trade goods up river led to people building CARGO BOATS WITH SAILS 4. Need to keep a record of ownership, trade and taxes led to CUNEIFORM

Describe cuneiform

wedge shaped symbols where each symbol stands for a different syllable and was based on spoken sound.

Definition of civilization

a centralized society with developed forms of religions, ways of governing and learning. It includes a stable food supply and a division of labor