The Fertile Crescent Flashcards
Why did civilization develop in the Fertile Crescent?
Rivers there created very rich farmland
What happened because the cities in Sumer were separated by long stretches of desert land?
They developed into separate city-states
Why did Babylon become an important center of trade?
It was located between cities to the south and north
Why was Hammurabi’s code significant?
- laws were written down
- everyone has some justice
What did the Phoenician Alphabet make easier to do?
Learn to read and write
What was one of the major events in the history of the Israelites?
The settlement of Canaan
What were the Israelites known for that made them unique among ancient peoples?
They worshiped one god
Why did Phoenicia become a thriving and wealthy religion?
Phoenicians sold valuable wood and dyed cloth to neighboring peoples
What were the two rivers that surrounded Mesopotamia?
- Tigris River
- Euphrates River
What of its own did each Mesopotamian city-state have?
A god or goddess
Why was Babylon a crossroad of trade?
Because of its location between cities to the south and north
What was the first written set of laws?
Hammurabi’s Code
Where did writing first develop?
Mesopotamia
What was a important advantage of the Phoenician alphabet?
It was simpler than cuneiform
How did the Phoenicians help spread civilization throughout the Mediterranean area?
They controlled the supply of a valuable purple dye
What did the Babylonians and Israelites have in common?
They both lived according to a code of laws
What are the five books of the Torah and what do they mean?
- Genesis - the beginning
- Exodus - the exit of the Israelites from Egypt
- Leviticus - the laws
- Numbers - the count of people
- Deuteronomy - the Book of Law
How did the word “Hebrew” come into existence?
The word Hebrew came into existence from the phrase “ha be ru” that is an insult and means dirty shepherd or tent dweller.
What does meso mean?
Between or middle
What is the land between the rivers?
Mesopotamia
What was the worlds first empire?
Sumer
What does Sargon mean?
True King
Who created the worlds first empire?
Sargon the Great
What are tributes?
Taxes
What is a building with the temple at the top?
Ziggurat
What does ism mean?
The belief on something
Who ruled Assyria?
King Sargon II
Was the Babylonian Empire before or after the Assyrian Empire?
Before
What did Babylonia and Assyria have in common?
- vicious in conquering land
- culture and learning were high in value
What are some characteristics about Hammurabi’s rule?
- steady rule
- system of roadways
- travel easier
- improve communication
- encourage trade
What things made Babylon rich?
- trade
- conquest
From what library do we know so much about the early life?
Niniva’s Library
Who were the new Babylonians?
Chaldeans
Who rebuilt Babylon after its first fall?
Nebuchadnezzar II
What are 8 things about New Babylon?
- 15 mile long walls
- 364’ high
- 87’ thick
- surrounded by moat
- Hanging Gardens - palace (for wife) - 350’ tall
- Euphrates ran through it
- had wide streets
- paved
- 3ft squared grid style
- trees along the streets
- buildings 150” tall
- had canals for irrigation
- had merchant ships that could sail from the Euphrates to moat
- drainage system that took sewage from the cities
- population 1.2 million
- great technology
- movable bridge
- underground tunnel
- large moat
- bee farmers
- 3-4 story homes
- sewer system
- fresh water system
- astronomers
What is the writing on the wall and what do the writings mean?
mene - god has numbered your days
mene - god has numbered your days
tekel - you have been weighed
parsin - you kingdom will be divided
How did Cyrus the Great conquer Babylon?
He dammed the river, went under the wall on the riverbank, and attacked New Babylon and took control of it.
What was the center of the Babylonian Empire?
Babylon
What two tools did scribes use?
- Stylus
- Wet Clay
What two cities were located in Phoenicia?
- Sidon
- Tyre
What two major things did Phoenicia sell?
- snails (purple dye)
- cedar forests (wood)
How many letters are in Phoenicia’s writing system?
22 letters
What are two other names for Jews?
Hebrews, Israelites
What were the first five books of the Jewish bible called?
Torah
What was the Jewish Bible called?
Tenanch
Where was Abraham from?
Ur
Why couldn’t David build the Holy Temple?
He had blood on his hands from killing people in battle.
Who built the Holy Temple since David couldn’t?
Solomon
How many laws are in the Torah?
612 laws
What does omnipresent mean?
Present everywhere
What does omnipotent mean?
All powerful
What does omniscient mean?
All knowing
What does diaspora mean?
The scattering of a group of people
What was the Diaspora?
The scattering of the Jewish people
