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Mesopotamia: The Questions
World View
1. List the four territorial states that flourished in Mesopotamia (and timeframes).
2. What role did nature, climate and geography have on the influence of religion?
3. What was the most significant historical moment according to records in
Mesopotamia? Why?
4. What were ziggurats?
5. Mesopotamia was considered the “cradle” of much of Western Civilization. Give
five examples to justify this claim.
6. What was considered the greatest technology advancement in the history of
civilization? Why?
7. What was the purpose of Mesopotamian art? What does the art reveal about
Mesopotamian society?
8. Examine figure 2.3. How did Mesopotamian writing transform? Copy one
example.
Community and Work
1. How was Mesopotamian society organized? What were some of the categories?
2. Who was the chief administrator? What other roles did he have?
3. What were the other two sectors of how society was organized?
4. What does the Map of Nippur reveal about the sophistication of society?
5. Describe the monument of the Code of Hammurabi.
6. What is the common theme that is evident in Hammurabi’s Code of Laws?
7. Describe women’s roles in Mesopotamia.
8. What rights did women have in property, economy, marriage and divorce?
People and Power
1. How did people view laws in Mesopotamia? Why?
2. How does the evidence on page 16 illustrate the power and position of the king?
3. Which was the most impressive and influential imperial power of Mesopotamia?
How big was its empire?
4. What role did religion play in imperialism?
5. Why might Ashurnasirpal II have been considered an ideal ruler?
6. How does the “Pronouncement of Nineveh”, offer a different opinion of
Ashurnasirpal II? Why do you think this is so?