Cradle of Civilization
Mesopotamia is often referred to as this because the world's first civilization occurred there.
Tigris and Euphrates
Rivers that begin in eastern Turkey, flow in a southeast direction, converge in southeast Iraq, and empty in the Persian Gulf. In ancient times, the land between the twin rivers was called Mesopotamia which was the site of the world's first civilization.
Sumer
The world's first civilization. It was located in the southern area of Mesopotamia where the twin rivers converged. The people who lived in this area were called Sumerians.
levees
In order to control the destructive seasonal flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, the ancient Sumerians constructed raised areas of earth called ________________ in order to hold back the floodwaters.
Ziggurat
A temple located in the center of each Sumerian city-state. It housed the city-state's patron god. The term ziggurat means "mountain of god" or "hill of heaven." Since the ziggurat was a sacred place, only priests could enter it.
cuneiform
The world's first writing system. It means "wedge-shaped." Sumerian writing is wedge-shaped because of the the type of instrument that was used to create it.
stylus
A wedge-shaped instrument made out of reed. The Sumerians wrote on wet clay tablets with this.
Edubba
A Sumerian school where young boys learned reading, writing, and arithmetic.
scribe
A writer
Priest-King
In early ancient Sumerian history, the powerful priests were also the kings of the city-states.
Gilgamesh
One of ancient Mesopotamia's most legendary historical figures. He was a heroical priest-king from the Sumerian city-state of Uruk.
empire
A collection of kingdoms under the power of one powerful ruler.
Hammurabi
The king of Babylon. He conquered the Akkadians and ruled all of Mesopotamia. His reign is often described as the "Golden Age of Babylon"because he established many new reforms.
Hammurabi's Code
282 laws written on a stone that brought about order and safety in the city. This ruler's laws have been remembered as the "eye for an eye" laws, as he emphasized punishment that fit the crime. He was extremely strict but managed the city well.
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
One of the "Seven Wonders of the World". Built by King Nebuchadnezzar II for his homesick bride. They were intended to mimic the mountains of her homeland, Persia. The King went to great trouble and expense to build a mountain for her, import huge trees a
Mesopotamia
the land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
Silt
the fine soil carried by the rivers and deposited by nearby land.
City-state
a political unit made up of a city and its surrounding lands.
cuneiform
the world's first system of writing, invented by the Sumerians.
epic
a long narrative poem telling of a hero's deeds.
number system
a system of using numbers for mathematical calculations based on the number 60
plow
a farm tool having one or more heavy blades to break the soil and make rows for planting
wheel
a circular frame or disk that can be solid or spoked, designed to turn on an axle.
polytheistic
believing in many gods
calendar
Mesopotamia developed a 12 month calendar
Ur
an ancient city of Sumer located on a former channel of the Euphrates River.
Fertile Crescent
a region stretching from Persian Gulf northwest up the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and west over to the Mediterranean Sea.