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Name__________________________________
Teacher_______________________
Honors World History- Chapter 3 Mesopotamia Study Guide
Test Date__________________
Vocabulary
You will be responsible for knowing the following terms:
Civilization
Empire
Division of Labor
City-state
Scribe
Code of Hammurabi
Agriculture
Canal
Irrigation
Surplus
Polytheism Silt
Social Hierarchy
River Valley Civilization
Fertile Crescent
Cuneiform
Short Answer Questions:
Directions: Answer the following questions with as much information as possible.
1. What was early writing used for?
Early writing was created to keep business records-trade, farming demands and supplies; government
officials and temples hired them to keep records. Later they wrote works on history, law, grammar and math
2. Mesopotamia did not receive much rain. Explain (in detail) how people were able to
grow crops there. (4 elements are needed)
When the Tigris and Euphrates flooded (due to high levels of rain in eastern Asia Minor where the two
rivers began) water levels got high and flooded the land-destroying crops, killing livestock and washing
away homes. When water levels were too low, crops dried. Farmers used irrigation to irrigate their land
(dug out large storage basins to hold water supplies) and dug canals, human made water ways, to connect
these basins to bring water to their fields. Plows were then invented to help break up the soil – this helped
for increased food production. Silt, or fertile soil mixed with tiny rocks, was deposited by the floods – this
helped to enrich the soil to ensure better crops.
3. Who is Sargon? Why is he remembered in history? What about Hammurabi?
Sargon was the Akkadian ruler who was the first ruler to have a permanent army. He used his
army to launch a series of wars against neighboring kingdoms. He defeated all city-states of
Sumer and brought them all into his empire (the world’s first empire). Ruler of his empire for 55
years and united Mesopotamia under one single ruler.
Hammurabi was a Babylonian emperor who came to power after Sargon and also created an
empire in Mesopotamia. He is remembered for his 282 “flawless” laws – of Hammurabi’s Code.
This is remembered as “eye for an eye” – though your punishment often depended upon your
social class. Women and children also had different rights (example: the father/husband could
sell his children/wife into slavery for a period of time to pay off debt.)
4. Describe the type of religion that they had in Ancient Sumer.
Mesopotamia was polytheistic-meaning they believed in more than one god. Each city had a main deity
which all the citizens were to please (in order to attain great crops or to avoid terrible disasters). They
believed that pleasing the gods were each citizens’ duty to ensure a great future.
5. List the 5 characteristics of a civilization. Out of the five characteristics of a civilization,
Give an example of each as it applies to Mesopotamia!
Characteristic
Define
Evidence/Examples
Stable Food Supply
Division of Labor
System of
Government
Social Hierarchy
Having a constant surplus,
Or more than is needed
Of food
*People specialize in
specific jobs
*way an area is ruled
And laws are made
The division of society
based on rank or class
*Silt & Irrigation allows for farming
*barley, wheat & other grains
*fish & livestock (sheep & goats)
*farmers *slaves
*religious leaders *labor workers
*government workers *crafts people
*scribes (write) -- this is
One way to move up in society
*monarchy – king (selected by the gods)
*organized city-states
king
Priests
Skilled workers & Scribes
Farmers/labor workers
slaves
Highly Developed
Culture
In Mesopotamia – based upon importance of jobNot based on $ like today
Culture is the characteristics and knowledge
*religion – polytheism (many gods)
of a particular
*writing – cuneiform (wedge symbols)
group of people: (language,
*building – ziggurat – religious building
religion, cuisine, music
and arts.)
6. Name a few Mesopotamian inventions and what they were used for.
Cuneiform-business records, history, history, grammar and math
The Wheel-transportation (carts and wagons), pottery wheel was created using the wheel
The plow-pulled by oxen, broke the hard clay of Sumer and increased farm production
7. Explain what a city-state is and an empire. Compare/contrast them with a graphic
organizer.
City-State were independently controlled parts of a civilization (each considered themselves independent
with their own deity and identity) --- a fried egg!
Empire: different areas of land under one leader’s control – many cultures – a cookie!
-Both are elements that comprise a civilization
-Empires would all be united to fight a common enemy, while city-states would fight their own battles