River Valley Civilization: Mesopotamia

Question 1

Mesopotamia

Answer 1

• river valley civilization
• developed in fertile crescent (part of modern day Israel, Syria, Iraq, Iran)
• Tigris and Euphrates river
• developed differently because of its geography
• silt from flooding allowed fertile crops to be grown (but flooding was unpredictable) (many nomadic people came through since area was open)
• believed Gods were angry because life was difficult
• different city-state (no government)
• formation of writing, cuneiform (clay and stylus)
• polytheistic (believing in many gods)
• main job of government was to protect higher class people
• city states decentralized
• social stratification

Question 2

ziggurats

Answer 2

• house the gods of their particular city-state

Question 3

epic of Gilgamesh

Answer 3

• from Mesopotamia

- earliest surviving great work of literature

Question 4

3500 B.C.E.

Answer 4

• first wheeled vehicles
• calendar
• number system (based off 60)
• men had political power

Question 5

Babylonians

Answer 5

• eventually conquered the Sumerians

- King Hammurabi (made law codes) (Code of Hammurabi)