Week 4: Notes and Slides (6-7) 2 Flashcards
Why did warrior-kings, rather than priests, come to dominate Mesopotamian society?
As competition and warfare for resources grew, military leaders who could protect and expand territories gained more power than priests, who lacked military capabilities.
What is one reason Sargon of Akkad was a successful ruler?
a) He was a skilled farmer
b) He controlled religious rites
c) He trained a dedicated military class
d) He avoided warfare
c) He trained a dedicated military class
Why did the rise of trained warriors require further societal changes?
A professional military needed consistent food supplies and support for their families, leading to changes in resource allocation and societal organization.
True or False
Statement: Mesopotamian irrigation systems were designed to utilize the Tigris-Euphrates floods primarily for drinking water.
Answer: False
Reason: The irrigation systems were built to protect and manage crop growth, especially during the flood season.
How did Europe’s agricultural flood cycle differ from Mesopotamia’s?
Europe did not rely on the same predictable river flooding, as seen in the Nile and Tigris-Euphrates; instead, they had different seasonal patterns for water management.
What role did natural disasters and environmental limitations play in the stability of early agricultural societies?
Environmental challenges, like unpredictable floods or limited arable land, could lead to societal collapse or conflict as groups competed for survival and resources.
What is the significance of “hinterlands” in ancient agricultural societies?
Hinterlands are the surrounding areas of farmland that a city or society could effectively manage and use for resources. Limited hinterlands restricted the extent of usable land, impacting resource availability and productivity.
Why was predicting the timing of river floods important for Mesopotamian agricultural societies?
Predicting floods allowed Mesopotamian societies to prepare irrigation systems and protect crops, ensuring food security and preventing the loss of resources essential for survival.
Why did ancient agricultural societies develop complex governing hierarchies?
a) To promote religious diversity
b) To manage the growing needs of irrigation, food distribution, and defense
c) To reduce trade with neighboring societies
d) To encourage competition between villages
B
What does “Mesopotamia” mean?
“Land between rivers.”
What were the two main regions of Mesopotamia?
Sumer and Akkad.
When did the Tigris and Euphrates rivers typically flood?
Between March and May.
Why was the timing of the Tigris-Euphrates floods problematic for farmers?
The floods occurred when crops were already in the fields, so they needed protection from floodwaters.
When did the Nile Flood?
The Nile flooded between September and October.
What was a benefit of the Nile’s flood timing for Egyptian agriculture?
Crops were already off the fields, allowing the floodwaters to fertilize the soil for the next planting season.
