Download Name: Date:______ Ancient Civilizations: Period: ______ Didyoung

Name:_________________________
Date:___________
Ancient Civilizations: Period: ______
Didyoung/Fauci/Hooker
Ancient Mesopotamia, Hebrews, and Judaism Study Guide
1. What does the name Mesopotamia mean?
It means the “land between two rivers” in Greek.
2. Why did they build canals in Mesopotamia?
They needed a way to control the river’s flow.
3. Why did city-states want farmland?
They wanted the farmland so they could grow more food.
4. Describe Sargon’s empire.
He was the first emperor. He created a permanent army. He also expanded his
empire by conquering Mesopotamia from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean
Sea.
5. Why were priests important?
People relied on priests to help gain god’s favor by performing religious
ceremonies. Also, they interpreted offerings.
6. Describe the ancient Sumerian writing system.
Cuneiform was the very first form of writing. It used pictograms (wedge-shaped
symbols) not the alphabet.
7. What is a ziggurat? What is its’ purpose?
Pyramid-shaped towers that were built tall so they could reach the gods.
8. What types of weapons were used by the Hittites and Assyrians in battle?
They used chariots and iron weapons in battle.
9. What are the Phoenicians known for?
They were known for their alphabet. Also trading indigo (purple dye), cedar trees,
silverwork, glass objects, ivory carvings, and slaves.
10. When did hunter-gatherers settle in Mesopotamia?
Around 12,000 years ago.
11. What is irrigation?
Irrigation is the artificial watering of farmland.
12. Define division of labor.
The type of arrangement in which each worker specializes in a particular task job.
13. Explain the social pyramid in Sumer.
Kings at the top; then priests below kings; then Craftspeople, merchants, and
traders; then famers and laborers; then slaves.
14. How did religion influence society in Sumer?
Religion was import. People wanted to stay on the gods’ good side. Polytheism
(worship of more than/many gods). Each city-state had one god as a protector.
Priests were important.
15. Who was Hammurabi? Why was he important?
He was the monarch of Babylon. He created Hammurabi’s Code – the fist written
law. 282 laws written on an 8ft tablet in the middle of Babylon for all to see.
16. Why did Abraham leave Mesopotamia?
God spoke to him and told him to lead his family on a journey out of Mesopotamia
to Canaan.
17. List the different groups who controlled the Israelites throughout history.
Assyrians, Chaldeans, Persians, and Roman Empire.
18. Why did the pharaoh decide to free the Hebrews in the 1200s BC?
The pharaoh was frightened by the plagues that affected Egypt.
19. What was the role of women in Hebrew society?
Men made most decisions and dominated society. A woman’s husband was
selected by her father and property was inherited by the oldest son. Women were
to be devoted to their families.
20. How did Judaism affect other cultures after the Diaspora?
Judaism greatly affected Western cultures in Europe and the Americas. Their laws
and rules of behavior have been shaped by Judaism.
21. Why did the Jews revolt against the Romans?
The Romans discriminated against the Jews and had no respect for their religion
or way of life.
22. Describe the High Holy Days.
They are the two most sacred of all Jewish holy days. Rosh Hashanah celebrates
the beginning of a new year. On Yom Kippur the Jews ask God to forgive their sins.
23. Why is Hanukkah celebrated?
It celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple.
24. What happened after the Zealots locked themselves inside the fortress of Masada?
The Romans sent 15,000 soldiers to capture the Zealots. After the revolt, the
Romans killed much of Jerusalem’s population and took the surviving Jews to
Rome as slaves.
25. Who was King David? When did he come to power?
He came to power after Saul. He was not liked by Saul but was well liked by his
people.
26. Define monotheistic.
The belief in only one God.
27. What is the Exodus? How do Jews remember it today?
During the Exodus Moses led his people out of slavery in Egypt. It is remembered
today during Passover.
28. Who is Moses?
Leader among the Israelites who led them out of Egypt during the Exodus.
29. What are the Ten Commandments? Who received them?
A code of moral laws received by Moses from God.
30. Who are rabbis?
They are religious teachers in the Jewish faith.
1. Study your Ancient Mesopotamia Test.
2. Go to Class Notes on my website for Ancient Mesopotamia and Hebrew and Judaism
Quizlet to practice your vocabulary.
3. Study your worksheets! NOTEBOOK CHECK IS DUE THUR. OCOTBER 29th!