Questions and Answers
What does the term 'parallel' mean?
Moving or lying in the same direction and distance apart.
What is silt?
Fine particles of fertile soil.
What is irrigation?
A system that supplies dry land with water through ditches, pipes, or streams.
What does surplus mean?
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What is a city-state?
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What is polytheism?
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What is a ziggurat?
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What does it mean to 'consist'?
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What is cuneiform?
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What is a scribe?
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What is an epic?
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Why do you think Mesopotamia was a good location for the growth of civilization?
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How did floods sometimes help farmers?
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What water sources were available in Sumer?
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How were polytheism and ziggurats related in Sumerian civilization?
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Why do you think the Sumerians built cities with walls around them?
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Where is the Fertile Crescent? Where is Mesopotamia located?
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How were the social classes of Sumer organized?
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What was the most common role for women in Sumerian society?
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Why did the Sumerians invent a writing system?
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Why were scribes important in Sumerian society?
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What ideas and inventions did Sumerians pass on to other civilizations?
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Study Notes
Vocabulary Terms
- Parallel: Describes objects that move or lie in the same direction at an equal distance apart.
- Silt: Composed of fine particles of fertile soil that enrich agricultural land.
- Irrigation: A system that provides water to dry land using ditches, pipes, or streams to support farming.
- Surplus: The excess amount remaining after fulfilling a need, crucial for trade and storage.
- City-state: An independent city that governs itself and the surrounding territory, often functioning as a political unit.
- Polytheism: The religious belief in multiple gods, a characteristic of early civilizations.
- Ziggurat: A pyramid-shaped structure that serves as a temple, typically dedicated to a city's chief deity.
Writing and Record Keeping
- Consist: Refers to being made up of specific components, important in discussions about social structures and resources.
- Cuneiform: An ancient writing system created by the Sumerians, characterized by wedge-shaped marks inscribed on clay tablets.
- Scribe: An individual responsible for writing, copying documents, and maintaining records, critical to administrative functions.
- Epic: A lengthy narrative poem recounting the heroic deeds of significant figures, showcasing cultural values.
Geography and Agriculture
- Favorable Location: Mesopotamia's location along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers facilitated drinking water access and agriculture due to fertile floodplain soil.
- Flood Benefits: Floods deposited rich silt which bolstered crop growth, demonstrating a complex relationship between natural disasters and agricultural success.
- Water Sources in Sumer: The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, alongside rainwater and manmade canals, provided vital irrigation and drinking water.
Religious Structures and Social Organization
- Polytheism and Ziggurats: The Sumerians’ worship of various gods influenced the construction of ziggurats, which acted as temples for deities.
- City Security: Walls built around Sumerian cities provided protection from invasions, highlighting societal organization.
- Fertile Crescent: This region extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf, encompassing Mesopotamia, known for agricultural richness.
Social Hierarchy and Gender Roles
- Social Classes: Society in Sumer was stratified into an upper class (kings, priests, officials), a middle class (merchants, farmers), and a lower class (enslaved people).
- Women’s Roles: Primarily focused on managing households and child-rearing, reflecting societal expectations versus opportunities.
Importance of Writing and Scribes
- Writing System Purpose: Developed to document business dealings and significant historical events, crucial for administration and culture.
- Significance of Scribes: As few in number, scribes played a vital role in recording transactions and preserving Sumerian history and literary works.
Contributions to Civilization
- Sumerian Innovations: Influential inventions and ideas passed on include writing, the wheel, chariots, sailboats, plows, bronze metallurgy, mathematics, and astronomy, shaping future civilizations.
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Description
Test your knowledge with this set of flashcards focused on key terms from History Chapter 4 Lesson 1. Learn definitions such as 'parallel', 'silt', 'irrigation', 'surplus', and 'city-state' to enhance your understanding of historical concepts. Perfect for students looking to reinforce their vocabulary and history skills.