Social Studies Chapter 3 Flashcards

Fertile Crescent

• A crescent-shaped region in the Middle East, stretching from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea.

Mesopotamia

• Part of the Fertile Crescent, located in present-day Iraq, known as "land between two rivers" (Tigris and Euphrates).

Irrigation

• Sumerians developed irrigation techniques by digging canals to supply water to crops, enhancing agricultural productivity during dry summers.

City-State

• An autonomous state consisting of a city and its surrounding territory, each with its own government, laws, and deity.

Barter System

• A direct trading method where goods are exchanged without monetary transactions.

Polytheism

• Sumerians practiced polytheism, believing in multiple gods who influenced various aspects of life, including agriculture and nature.

Ziggurat

• Pyramid-shaped brick towers in Sumerian cities, serving as temples; the largest reached seven stories and featured decorative artwork.

Cuneiform

• An early system of writing consisting of triangular-shaped symbols representing ideas and objects.

Geography's Impact on Sumerians

• Flooding from rivers posed a risk to crops, necessitating the development of irrigation and careful agricultural planning.

Sumerian Social Classes

• Three distinct social classes: upper class (rulers, priests, wealthy merchants), middle class (farmers, skilled workers), and lower class (mostly slaves).

Importance of Trade

• Trade was essential for Sumerian city-states to acquire resources not available locally, supporting economic growth.

Distinct

• Means separate or different, highlighting the unique roles within Sumerian society.

Priests' Power

• Priests were influential as they acted as intermediaries between the gods and the people, exclusively communicating divine will.

Cuneiform's Significance

• The creation of cuneiform marked the world's first writing system, facilitating record-keeping and communication.

Development of Writing

• Initially developed by priests, cuneiform evolved to enable greater communication and documentation.

Transition of Power

• Kings gained authority by claiming divine support, effectively replacing priests as rulers in Sumerian city-states.

Definition of Polytheism

• A belief system recognizing and worshiping multiple deities.

Definition of City-State

• An independent political unit comprising a city and its surrounding territory.

Cuneiform Symbols

• Utilized triangular-shaped symbols to convey various ideas and concepts.

Power Dynamics in Sumer

• Ultimately, priests and kings held the most power, influencing both religious and political spheres.

Mesopotamia's Geographical Context

• The area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is identified as Mesopotamia, foundational to early civilizations.

Advances Supporting Sumerian Civilization

• Key advances included development in technology and the implementation of cuneiform writing.

Support Between Priests and Kings

• Collaboration between priests and kings enabled the consolidation of power and stability within Sumerian society.

Impact of Irrigation

• Innovations in irrigation transformed agriculture, allowing for stable food production and population growth.

Empire Definition

• An entity comprising several territories or regions unified under a single government or authority.

Ally Definition

• An independent state cooperating with others for mutual military or political objectives.

Rule of Law

• Establishes that all members of society must adhere to laws, a foundational principle in modern democracies.

Cultural Trait

• A shared practice or belief within a culture, exemplified by similarities in religious practices and the use of cuneiform between Akkadians and Sumerians.