City-States in Mesopotamia Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is another name for Mesopotamia?

Fertile Crescent

What are two other things Mesopotamia is called?

The land between two rivers and the crossroads of the world

What were the two rivers framing Mesopotamia?

The Tigris and the Euphrates

Did Mesopotamia have any natural barriers?

False Signup and view all the answers

How were the flooding patterns of the Tigris and Euphrates different from the Nile?

The Tigris and Euphrates were unpredictable when it came to flooding Signup and view all the answers

Who were the political leaders in city-states?

Generals became political leaders Signup and view all the answers

What kind of government was Mesopotamia?

Self-contained; self-governed Signup and view all the answers

What was the first known Mesopotamian civilization?

Sumer Signup and view all the answers

How did the Mesopotamians provide water?

They dug irrigation ditches Signup and view all the answers

What did they use for defense?

They built city walls with mud bricks Signup and view all the answers

How did Sumerians stand out in society?

One of the first groups of people to form a civilization Signup and view all the answers

What are the five characteristics that set Sumer apart from earlier human societies?

Advanced cities, specialized workers, complex institutions, record keeping, and improved technology Signup and view all the answers

What were some Sumerian city-states?

Uruk, Kish, Lagash, Umma, and Ur Signup and view all the answers

How were city-states the same and different?

They shared the same culture, but developed their own governments Signup and view all the answers

What was the center of all Sumerian cities?

A ziggurat Signup and view all the answers

Who controlled Sumer's earliest governments?

The temple priests Signup and view all the answers

What did priests manage and demand?

They managed the irrigation systems and demanded a portion of every farmer's crop as taxes Signup and view all the answers

Who led the city in times of war?

A tough fighter chosen by the men of the city Signup and view all the answers

What is a dynasty?

Series of rulers from a single bloodline or family Signup and view all the answers

What did Sumerian city-states grow prosperous from?

Surplus food produced on their farms Signup and view all the answers

What is cultural diffusion?

The spreading of ideas or products from one culture to another Signup and view all the answers

What religion were the Sumerians?

Polytheistic Signup and view all the answers

Who was the most powerful god of storms and air?

Enlil Signup and view all the answers

Who protected the Sumerians from demons that caused disease, misfortune, and misery?

Ugallu Signup and view all the answers

How did the Sumerians see their gods?

Immortal and all-powerful; humans were nothing but their servants Signup and view all the answers

How did the Sumerians view the afterlife?

A dark, unwelcoming cave Signup and view all the answers

What was the role of Sumerian women?

They could be priests, hold property, and work as merchants, farmers, and artisans Signup and view all the answers

What were the government responsibilities in Sumer?

To create a sense of order and build proper structures to maintain defense Signup and view all the answers

What type of government was Sumer?

A theocracy Signup and view all the answers

Which social class was formed from writing?

The merchant class Signup and view all the answers

What was writing a statement of?

Sign of higher thought and importance Signup and view all the answers

What was their form of writing called?

Cuneiform Signup and view all the answers

What did they use to write?

A stylus Signup and view all the answers

What did they write on?

Papyrus Signup and view all the answers

What was their writing compiled of?

Pictograms and ideograms Signup and view all the answers

What are the Sumerian legacies?

Arches, pillars, wheel, sail, irrigation, ramp, architecture, bricks Signup and view all the answers

What did Sumer have during the empire age?

Many city-states Signup and view all the answers

Who were the Akkadians?

The first peoples to show interest in growth Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Mesopotamia Overview

Known as the Fertile Crescent, signifying its rich farmland.
Also referred to as "the land between two rivers" (Tigris and Euphrates) and "the crossroads of the world."
Lacks natural barriers, which influenced trade and conquest.

Rivers and Agriculture

The Tigris and Euphrates rivers were unpredictable in flooding compared to the Nile.
Mesopotamians developed irrigation ditches for effective water management.
Surplus food production from agriculture led to prosperity.

Political leaders emerged from military generals within city-states.
City-states governed themselves independently but shared cultural practices.
Early governments in Sumer were managed by temple priests, overseeing irrigation and taxing farmers.

Sumerian Civilization

Sumer is recognized as the first known civilization in Mesopotamia.
The Sumerians established advanced cities characterized by specialized workers, complex institutions, record keeping, and improved technology.
Prominent city-states included Uruk, Kish, Lagash, Umma, and Ur.

Religion and Beliefs

Sumerians practiced polytheism, worshipping numerous gods.
Enlil was the supreme deity associated with storms and air.
Ugallu was believed to protect against malevolent forces.
They viewed gods as immortal and powerful and the afterlife as a dark, unwelcoming realm.

Gender Roles and Society

Women in Sumer could become priests, own property, and engage in trade.
Upper-class women had opportunities to learn literacy, though societal roles remained largely traditional.

Writing and Cultural Innovations

Cuneiform was the Sumerian writing system, developed using a stylus on clay tablets.
Writing was seen as a reflection of higher thought and important for record-keeping.
The emergence of writing fostered the development of a merchant class.

Government and Legacy

Mesopotamian governance was predominantly a theocracy, maintaining order and security.
Cultural diffusion occurred, spreading ideas and technologies between civilizations.
Sumer made lasting contributions to architecture, agriculture, and technology, including the wheel, irrigation systems, and construction techniques.

Dynasties and Power

A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family lineage.
Sumerian city-states flourished during the empire age, with notable interactions with the Akkadians, who sought growth and expansion in the region.

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Description

Explore key terms and definitions related to Mesopotamia in this flashcard quiz. Learn about the Fertile Crescent, the significance of its geography, and the two major rivers that define the region. Perfect for students studying ancient civilizations.