Mesopotamia Flashcards
Who was Sargon?
Sargon was an Akkadian King who conquered the Sumerians in 2331 BC, and established the capital at Akkad.
Who was Hammurabi?
A Babylonian King who conquered Mesopotamia and made Babylon the capital.
What is Hammurabi most well known for?
Inscribing 282 laws on a stele around 1780 BC, known as the first written code of law. It was instrumental in establishing order and stability, and served as a model for later systems.
What are some similarities between the story of Noah’s Ark and the Mesopotamian flood story? [5]
- God(s) became annoyed by man’s arrogance and decided to send a flood and kill everything
- Someone warned a righteous man about it, and told him to build a boat with the hero, a few other humans, and all kinds of animals.
- After the flood covered everything, a bird was sent out each day to search for land, the first two birds returned, but the third didn’t as it apparently found dry land.
- Hero and family left the ark and ritually killed an animal as a sacrifice to god(s).
- God(s) smelled the roasted meat of sacrifice, blessed hero, and seemed to regret their actions.
What are some differences between the story of Noah’s Ark and the Mesopotamian flood story? [4]
- Noah received a warning from God himself, other guy was warned by a God who disobeyed the main god by telling them.
- The rain in the Bible lasted for 40 days, the Mesopotamian flood only lasted for 6.
- Noah released a raven once and a dove twice, the Mesopotamian guy released a dove, swallow, and raven.
- Noah was told to get two of each animal, the Mesopotamian guy all of living things.
What are some similarities between the story of Moses and the Sargon legend? [4]
- They were both born in secret
- Their mothers put them in a reed basket and set them afloat down a river.
- They were found by someone and adopted
- They both grew up to do great things.
What are some differences between the story of Moses and the Sargon legend? [3]
- Moses was hidden for fear of death, and Sargon’s mom wasn’t supposed to have kids, and he was illegitimate.
- Moses was set on the river for someone to find, Sargon was meant to be left to die.
- Moses stayed with his mother for three months before being left, and was given back to her to nurse, Sargon was left immediately.
What are some similarities between the creation myths of the Mesopotamians and the Bible?
-Man was made out of clay by some divine being.
What are some differences between the creation myth of the Mesopotamians and the Bible?
-In the Biblical version man was fashioned so he could rule over all animals, in the Mesopotamian version it was so he could serve the gods and do all the work.
What are some similarities between the story of the Garden of Eden and another Mesopotamian myth of Enki and Ninhursag? [3]
- If one eats a forbidden fruit they can obtain knowledge
- The owner of that fruit finds out and curses the person who ate it.
- A wife brings the downfall of her husband.
What are some differences between the story of the Garden of Eden and another Mesopotamian myth of Enki and Ninhursag? [5]
- Eve eats the fruit in the biblical version, and Enki in the Mesopotamian version.
- Enki comes up with the idea to eat the fruit of his own free will, Eve was persuaded by Satan.
- Eve persuades her husband to have some too, Enki was alone.
- Enki’s wife, Ninhursag, finds out and curses him to die in the Mesopotamian myth, and God finds out and casts them out of the garden in the biblical version.
- Ninhursag eventually forgives him and heals him, God doesn’t forgive Adam and Eve.
Who was responsible for cuneiform writing?
Sumerians
What was the significance of cuneiform writing? [5]
- Trade sanctions could be recorded
- Made advances in scientific knowledge
- Produced first written literature
- Created a vital mythology
- Preserved culture
What were six innovations of the Sumerians?
- Cuneiform writing
- System of mathematics
- Lunar calendar
- Irrigation system
- Wheel
- Pulleys
What was the significance of the wheel? [3]
- New form of transportation
- Chariot gave advantage in war
- Trade flourished
NAME: Statuettes from the Temple of Abu
LOCATION: Tell Asmar
TIME PERIOD: Sumerian (2,700 - 2,600 BC)
NAME: White Temple and Ziggurat
LOCATION: Uruk
TIME PERIOD: Sumerian (3,200 - 3,000 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
-Used for religious purposes, and as a center of the community
NAME: Standard of Ur
TIME PERIOD: Sumerian (2,200 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Read from bottom to top, left to right
- Shows the different aspects of Sumerian life, both in times of peace and war
NAME: Head of Akkadian Ruler
LOCATION: Tellah
TIME PERIOD: Akkadian (2,200 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Believed to be Sargon
- New concept of absolute ruler
NAME: Seated Statue of Gudea
LOCATION: Tellah
TIME PERIOD: Neo-Sumerian (2,100 BC)
NAME: Stele Hammurabi’s Code
TIME PERIOD: Babylonian (1,780 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Claimed to rule by divine right
- Depicts Shamash dictating Hammurabi laws, giving him sceptor and ring symbolizing power to rule
NAME: Lion Gate
TIME PERIOD: Hittite (1,400 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Meant to scare off invaders
- Used as a gateway to Boghazhoy citadel (Turkey)
NAME: Lamassu
TIME PERIOD: Assyrian (720 BC)
SIGNIFICANCE:
- Head probably represents Sargon
- Entranceway to ward off King’s enemies
- Mythical creatures meant to ward off evil
NAME: Restoration of Ishtar Gate
LOCATION: Babylon
TIME PERIOD: Neo-Babylonian (575 BC)
