Mesopotamian Civilization Quiz

Mesopotamian Civilization

• Hammurabi: Established the first law code, focused on infrastructure, justice, and trade; desired a better life but was overthrown by weaker leaders.

• Gilgamesh: Oldest written story, Sumerian king (Uruk), provides lessons on kingship and mortality.

• Sargon of Akkad: Powerful king, considered a god, created the first empire, respected Sumerian culture but saw a decline in rebellion.

• Ashurbanipal: Ruthless ruler of Assyria, controlled a large empire, prioritized education but also used torture and war. His empire was eventually overthrown.

• Nebuchadnezzar II: King of the Neo-Babylonian empire, captured Jerusalem; strove for equality for women, and was a powerful builder in art and intellectual spheres. The empire eventually declined.

• Shamash: Sun god, god of laws and justice.

• Ur-Nammu: Ancient legislator, created the first law code in Sumerian; used "if-then" consequence statements

Mesopotamian Highlights

• Social Structure: Occupations held symbolic importance (e.g., kings, priests, scribes, farmers, merchants, craftsmen, soldiers, and slaves); kings were seen as messengers of the gods and women had an unequal status. Nationalities were present.

Cuneiform

• Considered the earliest written language.

• Used clay tablets and wedge-shaped symbols (wedges).

• Used for commerce, information storage, and religious purposes.

Ziggurats

• Religious temples built for priests and kings to connect with the gods.

• Only kings were permitted to reach the top of the ziggurats.

• Ordinary people prayed from below.

Religion and Mythology

• No single religion; influenced by fables and myths.

• Over 3,600+ gods with each city having its own patron god.

• Oldest known religion.

• The Me (possibly a set of codes of conduct for kings).

Military Tactics

• Chariots, axes, spears, barbarian invaders

Empire Highlights

• Babylonian Empire: Hammurabi established an empire focused on infrastructure, trade, justice. He united Mesopotamia and elevated Marduk to the highest god status.

• Assyrian Empire: A trading and political empire, drew from Sumerian and Babylonian cultures, and elevated their associated gods. Kings were considered representatives of the gods and temples were built specifically to honor them.

Legal System

• Trials were held in temples.

• No lawyers existed; oaths were taken on symbols of the local god.

• Decisions were recorded in writing, with scribes, priests, witnesses, and judges present.

• Trials by river were a final resort for cases. (guilty = death by river).

Test your knowledge about the key figures and events in Mesopotamian civilization. Explore the contributions of rulers like Hammurabi, Gilgamesh, and Nebuchadnezzar II, and learn about their impact on law, culture, and society. Challenge yourself with questions on ancient laws, empires, and mythology.