Questions and Answers
What was the name of the first empire formed by Sargon?
Hammurabi's Code was known for being lenient and forgiving.
False
What does the phrase 'an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth' refer to?
It refers to the principle of equal retaliation or retribution for wrongdoing.
The _______ River and the _______ River run into the Persian Gulf.
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Match the following cities with their descriptions:
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Which of the following statements describes the religious beliefs of the Sumerians?
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Women in Babylonian society had the same legal rights as men.
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What was the primary purpose of ziggurats in Sumerian society?
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What natural resources were scarce in the region of Mesopotamia?
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The Sumerians relied solely on trade to acquire resources like copper and tin.
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What system did the Sumerians create for writing?
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The Assyrian capital city was __________.
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Match the following Sumerian innovations with their uses:
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Which was an environmental challenge faced by the Sumerians?
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Who was the ruler credited with rebuilding Babylon?
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The Sumerians had a number system based on 10.
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Study Notes
Environmental Challenges
- Mesopotamia faced unpredictable flooding and periods of drought, leading to desert-like conditions.
- Agricultural challenges prompted innovations like irrigation to manage water supply.
Akkadian Empire
- Akkad, located in Northern Mesopotamia, was led by Sargon, who unified Sumer and Akkad.
- Considered the first empire, Sargon's rule lasted over 200 years.
- The Amorites, residing west of Mesopotamia, conquered the region and established Babylon as a central city.
- Hammurabi, king of Babylon, expanded his empire by subjugating Amorite city-states.
Babylonian Empire
- The Code of Hammurabi established a comprehensive set of laws, introducing the principle of “an eye for an eye.”
- Hammurabi's laws reflected social inequalities, with nobles receiving lighter punishments than commoners.
- Women had limited legal rights; however, some could own property and testify in court.
- Protections for wives were included, though debt-related slavery could occur.
City-States and Society
- City-states exerted political and economic control over surrounding areas, such as Ur, a key trade center, and Uruk, recognized as the first true city.
- Sumerians practiced polytheism, believing in numerous gods governing various life aspects.
- Deities were anthropomorphic, influencing areas like agriculture and fishing.
- Ziggurats, step-pyramids made of sun-dried bricks, served as religious shrines and offered sacrifices to appease gods.
Religion and Governance
- Trope of temple priests as early government leaders indicated a divine connection to ruling.
- Temples were central to economic and political life in cities, believed to be chosen by gods for protection.
Mesopotamian Economy
- Sumerians engaged in barter, trading goods like wool and barley while importing copper, tin, and timber.
- Surplus production was achieved through irrigation canals feeding agricultural fields.
Solutions to Environmental Challenges
- Farmers constructed dikes and dams for flood control, preventing field inundation.
- Canals ensured water delivery during drier periods, enhancing crop yield.
- Sumerians developed Cuneiform writing, marking a significant advancement in record-keeping.
Tools, Technologies, and Innovations
- The invention of the wheel facilitated easier transportation of goods via carts.
- The potter's wheel improved pottery production efficiency.
- Sumerians established multiplication and division tables, employing a base-60 number system for calculations.
- Astronomy and astrology flourished, with observations of celestial bodies informing a lunar calendar.
Assyrian Empire
- The Assyrians, known for military prowess, organized their empire into provinces connected by roads.
- Their capital, Nineveh, became a cultural and administrative hub under the rule of Ashurbanipal.
Chaldean Empire
- Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt Babylon, elevating it to become the largest and wealthiest city of its time.
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Description
Explore the significant environmental challenges faced by the Akkadian Empire, including unpredictable flooding and drought. Learn how these factors influenced the rise and fall of one of the world's first empires under Sargon. This quiz delves into the effects of geography on ancient civilizations.
