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Mesopotamia
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Mesopotamia | "land between the rivers" region within the Fertile Crescent that lies between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers |
| Fertile Crescent | an area of rich farmland in Southwest Asia where the first civilizations began |
| cultural diffusion | The spread of ideas, customs, and technologies from one people to another |
| city-state | an early city that was like a small, independent country with its own laws and government |
| dynasty | a series of rulers from the same family |
| empire | a large territory in which several groups of people are ruled by a single leader or government |
| social class | a group of people with similar backgrounds, incomes, and ways of living |
| artisan | A skilled craftsperson |
| slave | a person who is owned by someone |
| polytheism | belief in many gods |
| monotheism | belief in one god |
| silt | A mixture of fertile soil and tiny rocks that can make land ideal for farming |
| ziggurat | a pyramid-shaped structure with a temple at the top |
| irrigation | a system that supplies dry land with water through ditches, canals, pipes, or streams |
| Hammurabi | Ruler of Babylon; created Hammurabi's code |
| Sargon | leader of the Akkadians who overran the Sumerian city-state and set up the first empire |
| Nebuchadnezzar | Rebuilt Babylon after the Assyrian destroyed it and built the Hanging Gardens |
| primary source | A document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. firsthand evidence of an event in history |
| secondary source | Information gathered by someone who did not take part in or witness an event a document or written work created after an event Provides information gathered from or based on other sources |
| scribe | a person who writes things down |
| cuneiform | A form of writing developed by the Sumerians using a wedge shaped stylus and clay tablets. |
| descendants | offspring |
| 10 Commandments | moral code of laws, written by god and given to Moses |
| Abraham | Founder of Judaism; made covenant with God |
| covenant | an agreement |
| patriarchy | A form of social organization in which men dominate or rule |
| Anno Domini (in the year of our Lord) | What A.D. stands for |
| Before Christ | What B.C. stands for |
| barter | trade |
| civilization | A society with cities, a central government, job specialization, and social classes |
| Gilgamesh | A legendary figure (king) in Sumerian literature |
| fertile | Able to produce good crops |