Download Mesopotamia Review and Summary

River Valley Civilizations.notebook
Name ___________________________
November 18, 2015
Date ___________________
Mesopotamia Review and Summary
(I) Geography
1. River Valleys--> source of fresh __________ and good land for __________________
2. Mesopotamia means ________________________________________
*Which rivers? ________________ and ____________________ Rivers
3. Mesopotamia is also known as the _______________--> it is the Middle East Region stretching from present-day Iran
to the edge of Egypt; a region shares common ____________ and ______________________
4. Natural boundaries protect the land, such as rivers, seas, gulfs, ________________________ and
_________________________
5. Due to mountains and the run-off river water, the people of this region learned to modify their environment by digging
______________ canals to avoid disastrous ______________________
6. The need for fresh _________________ and resources affects population patterns....people can only settle in areas
with plentiful __________________
7. Presently, the region is experiencing a ____________ crisis, which could severely impact the region's
__________________ as well as lands around the region in the near future
(II) Achievements
1. The Sumerians invented a wedge-shaped writing system called _____________________, one of the first writing
systems of the ancient world
2. One of the ways writing helped civilization is so city-states could create _____________ that were
________________ and posted for all to see
3. Another way writing was important was to record events and stories from the civilization. One such story is the
____________________________________________.
4. Architecture: The people of the Fertile Crescent used advanced methods of __________________ to build
_____________________. These were buildings to make ____________________ to the gods, store _____________
food, and celebrate religious ceremonies and rituals
5. Religion: The people of this settlement were ____________________--> they believed in and worshipped many gods
and goddesses
6. _____________________: the people learned to build walls along the river banks to help prevent
___________________; these walls could be opened at proper times to irrigate the fields
7. Social ____________________: Kings/Gov't. Officials, Religious Leaders, _____________, Artisans and
___________, Farmers, Enslaved People
8. Role of _____________: manage house, make clothing, take care of children, teach daughters to become good wives
and mothers
(III) Hammurabi's Code
1. A Code of Laws establishes proper behavior and ______________________ for actions
2. Hammurabi wanted to ensure the safety of the __________ from the _______________ and evil-doers
3. While it offered protection to all people, ___________________ did have an impact of the type of punishment
someone received
4. U.S. Bill of Rights vs. Hammurabi's Code
* Both want to ensure ____________ of it citizens
* Both have _____________ for actions
* The way they deal with ________________ and punishments are very different
*Hammurabi's code is __________________ and has no room for second chances; U.S. has _______________
and opportunities to make up for mistakes and crimes
1
River Valley Civilizations.notebook
November 18, 2015
Mesopotamia Review/Summary
(I) Geography
1. River Valleys--> source of fresh water and good land for farming
2. Mesopotamia means land between the rivers
*Which rivers? The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
3. Mesopotamia is also known as the Fertile Crescent--> it is the Middle East Region stretching
from present-day Iran to the edge of Egypt; a region shares common culture and geography
4. Natural boundaries protect the land, such as rivers, seas, gulfs, mountains, and deserts
5. Due to mountains and the run-off river water, the people of this region learned to modify
their environment by digging irrigation canals to avoid disastrous flooding
6. The need for fresh water and resources affects population patterns....people can only settle in
areas with plentiful resources
7. Presently, the region is experiencing a water crisis, which could severely impact the region's
population as well as lands around the region in the near future
2
River Valley Civilizations.notebook
November 18, 2015
(II) Achievements
1. The Sumerians invented a wedge-shaped writing system called cuneiform, one of the
first writing systems of the ancient world
2. One of the ways writing helped civilization is so city-states could create laws that were
visible and posted for all to see
3. Another way writing was important was to record events and stories from the
civilization. One such story is the Epic of Gilgamesh.
4. Architecture: The people of the Fertile Crescent used advanced methods of technology
to build ziggurats. These were buildings to make offerings to the gods, store surplus food,
and celebrate religious ceremonies and rituals
5. Religion: The people of this settlement were polytheistic--> they believed in and
worshipped many gods and goddesses
6. Levees: the people learned to build walls along the river banks to help prevent flooding;
these walls could be opened at proper times to irrigate the fields
7. Social Hierarchy: Kings/Gov't. Officials, Religious Leaders, Merchants, Artisans and
Scribes, Farmers, Enslaved People
8. Role of Women: manage house, make clothing, take care of children, teach daughters to
become good wives and mothers
3
River Valley Civilizations.notebook
November 18, 2015
(III) Hammurabi's Code
1. A Code of Laws establishes proper behavior and consequences for actions
2. Hammurabi wanted to ensure the safety of the weak from the strong and
evil-doers
3. While it offered protection to all people, social status did have an impact of
the type of punishment someone received
4. U.S. Bill of Rights vs. Hammurabi's Code
* Both want to ensure safety of it citizens
* Both have discipline for actions
* The way they deal with crimes and punishments are very different
*Hammurabi's code is unforgiving and has no room for second chances; U.S.
has trials and opportunities to make up for mistakes and crimes
4