Download Name - WW-P Middle Schools

Name: ____________________________________ Date: ____________ Per: _______
Study Guide:
Neolithic Revolution and Mesopotamia
What You’ll Need to Study:
MESOPOTAMIA VOCABULARY SHEET
Know all 15 words and add Amelu, Mushkinu, and Wardu
INGREDIENTS FOR SETTLEMENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Water Source
Natural Resources
Natural Barriers
Good Climate
Food Supply
 Examples of a Natural Barrier/Natural Protection:
mountains, hills, rivers oceans, desert, forest, plateau
 Examples of a Natural Resources: (and know what they are used for)
Wood: used for shelters, boats, carts, to make fire and to cook
Fertile soil: helps to grow crops
Stones/ore/metals: used for tools, shelters, and parts of culture
CIVILIZATION WHEEL- ALL 8 PARTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Social Structure (hierarchy) – people at a higher level have a greater status
Writing System: cuneiform
Government- to direct people’s behavior to keep life orderly. Make and enforce laws collect taxes, army
Technology – practical tools and inventions
Specialized workers - merchants, crafters, metalworkers,
Culture and Arts: painting, architecture and music
Religion: set of beliefs, gods and goddesses, religious ceremonies
Advanced Citites
READING NOTES 4
 What was the problem that ancient Mesopotamians faced when they moved down to the rivers?
Biggest problem was uncontrolled water supply. The rivers flooded. Other times it was hot and dry
and the soil was dry and hard. They had either too much water or too little.
 How did they overcome/solve the problem near the rivers?
They developed irrigation systems with levees, canals, and dams to prevent flooding. When the land
was dry they would poke holes in the levees to flow into the fields.
Why did ancient Mesopotamians build walls and moats around their cities?
Walls and moats provided cities with protection from attacking neighboring communities.
SOCIAL STRUCTURE
How do people get placed in different social classes?
A person’s status in the society places them in different classes.
People at higher levels have greater status. The top or upper class were priests and land owners. In the
middle were was the common class which included merchants, crafters, fisherman, and farmers. A the
bottom were slaves
Name the 3 social classes in ancient Mesopotamia in order from highest to lowest:
1. Amelu - upper class: government officials, priests, and military
2. Mushkinu – middle class: merchants, traders, professionals, workers, farmers
3. Wardu – lower class: slaves
GOVERNMENT/HAMMURABI
Why do all civilizations have a system of government?
All civilizations have a system of government to direct people’s behavior to keep life orderly. Civilization
operates based on government’s laws and procedures. Includes taxes, military, etc.
Why were kings so powerful in Sumer?
Kings could speak to the gods and were the closest to the gods.
Why was Hammurabi’s Code of Laws an important achievement?
It was the first time laws were written down for everyone to see. The laws were very detailed and
applied to everyone.
HUNTING & GATHERING VS FARMING
Disadvantages
Advantages
Hunter-Gatherer

Healthier
 No cavities
 Diseases stay contained



Worked less hours
Diet more varied
No social classes or status because property
belongs to the tribe – not individuals






Unpredictable lifestyle
Dangerous
Constantly traveling
Did not develop advanced technology
No advanced construction or shelter
No surplus of food
Settled Farming







Food surplus
Leisure time
Job specialization
Woman had more children
Possessions and wealth
Advanced tools and architecture
Permanent structures to live in



Disease spread quickly
Cavities
Female death rate increased because of child
birth
Class divisions and gender inequalities
More conflict of land and water
Work long hours


