Test Vocab Flashcards
irrigation
a system that supplies dry land with water through ditches, pipes, or streams
silt
fertile soil
surplus
an amount that is left over after a need has been met
city-state
a city that governs itself and its surrounding territory
polytheism
a belief in many gods
ziggurat
a pyramid-shaped structure with a temple at the top
cuneiform
a system of writing developed by the Sumerians that used wedge-shaped marks made in soft clay
scribe
a person who copies or writes out documents; often a record keeper
epic
a long poem that records the deeds of a legendary or real hero
empire
a large territory of group of many territories governed by one ruler
tribute
a payment made to a ruler or state as a sign of surrender
province
a territory governed as a political district of a country or empire
caravan
a group of merchants traveling together for safety, usually with a large number of camels
astronomer
a person who studies stars and planets
