Download Ch 2 Study Guide Answers

1. Where did the first civilizations pop up? What is this land called and what does the name mean?
The land is called Mesopotamia which means “the place between two rivers.”
2. The first Mesopotamians primarily had what type of job?
The first Mesopotamians were farmers.
3. Why did people settle in Southern Mesopotamia? What resource brought them there?
The people settled in Southern Mesopotamia because there was plenty of fresh water and fertile soil
from the rivers.
4. Farming was difficult for early Mesopotamians. What did they do to problem solve this issue?
The farmers built an irrigation system that brought water from the rivers to the plants.
5. Describe a snapshot of what you would see in the Sumerian civilization.
We would see walls surrounding their city-states, mud brick houses, and ziggurats. People would be
worshipping many gods.
6. What system of writing did the peoples of Mesopotamia create?
The Mesopotamians created cuneiform.
7. Why was cuneiform better than picture writing?
It was simpler to make wedge shape symbols than drawing a picture.
8. Who was the king of Babylonia and what document did he create?
The king was Hammurabi and he created a system of laws called the “Code of Hammurabi”
9. What was the purpose of the Code of Hammurabi?
The purpose was to protect the people of Babylonia.
10. How were the Babylonians and Assyrians different from each other?
The Assyrians placed a higher value on war and conquest.
11. Describe Nebuchadnezzar II.
He was a great and glorious leader because he expanded the empire and built many things.
12. What is monotheism? Who made the covenant to practice it?
Monotheism is the belief in one God. Abraham made this covenant with God.
13. Which kingdom did King David rule over?
King David ruled over Israel.
14. Why did Solomon build a temple?
Solomon wanted to protect the Torah.
15. How did the Phoenicians effect the world?
They were excellent sailors that spread goods and ideas.
16. What did the Lydians create?
The Lydians created coins.
*Essays: These are the short essay questions that will be on the test. We will go over the answers in
class. Use complete sentences.
17. Why was farming a challenge in Mesopotamia, and how did the people overcome it? Use your
Lesson 1 flappy notes!
Farming was a challenge because there was little rainfall. Water was not scare, however, and farmers
solved the problem by irrigating their crops with water from the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
ELABORATE!
18. What was the difference between the Ten Commandments and the Code of Hammurabi? Use your
lesson 3 notes!
The Ten Commandments provided guidance for worshipping God and set up rules for moral behavior.
The Code of Hammurabi focused on crimes and punishments.
ELABORATE!
19. How did the Sumerians link religion and government. Use your Lesson 2 flappy notes!
Sumerians believed that kings were chosen by the gods to carry out the gods’ wishes. The idea of divine
kingship, or the god-given right to rule, was invited by the Sumerians.
ELABORATE!