Mesopotamia Flashcards
What were the names of the two rivers which surrounded Mesopotamia?
Tigris and Euphrates
In what modern-day country did Mesopotamia begin?
Iraq
What two major environmental problems did farmers face in dealing with these rivers throughout the year?
flood, destroy crops
How did the Sumerians overcome these “natural” issues with the rivers?
They made canals to provide water
What did having extra food allow the Sumerians to do?
Store over the winter, people to do other work than farm.
Explain the concept of a barter economy. Why do you think this type of economy is barely used today?
a cashless economic system. un- fair trade
Describe a typical Mesopotamian city-state, and how each city-state interacted with one another.
it had a wall around it and a ziggurat Each city had its own royal family and its own military, they would trade
Explain the 3 social classes and who was included in each in this society.
Poor- Slaves / prinsors , middle class - shop people/ farmers, rich - kings and queens priest, army
Explain 2 reasons why the development of writing was so important?
communicate, and tracking history
List at least 4 major contributions/inventions of the Mesopotamians (Sumerians included).
the sailboat, the chariot, the wheel, the plow, maps, and metallurgy
Who was Hammurabi and what was his major contribution to society? Why was this contribution so important?
his set of laws written on twelve stones and displayed publicly for all to see
Describe the concept of an “eye for an eye.”
The principle of justice that requires punishment equal in kind to the offense
How is Hammurabi’s Code similar to the laws of the United States? How are they different? Provide two explanations for each.
Hammurabi’s Code, like modern law codes, had the same fundamental purpose: to maintain law and order, punish wrongdoing, and provide for justice.
Why do you think this area of Southwest Asia is nicknamed the “Cradle of Civilization?”
it’s where farming started
Silt
fine sand, clay, or other material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment, especially in a channel or harbor.
