History of the Ancient and Medieval World Ancient Middle East: Mesopotamia Walsingham Academy Mrs. McArthur Room 111

Reading to Learn : Start with the Main Idea(s)

What is its Nickname? Student Dormitory: Christ’s College, Cambridge

What do we call this form of Government? This image comes to us from a document called the Sumerian King List, which lists all the kings and their reigns from that society’s first king. Its opening words are: “Kingship came down from heaven.”

Name the King who… Defeated the Sumerian King of Uruk in 23 rd century B.C.E. and dragged him off in a dog collar (to bring him to heel you might say!) Said his parents were divine and that he was led by the gods towards greatness. Brought together and ruled first true empire.

Cuneiform writing was: A. Rediscovered by Persian scholars during the reign of Darius. B. Replaced by the Akkadian alphabet. C. Deciphered by a English officer who knew Persian. D. Difficult to learn and its materials hard to acquire. E. B, C and D are correct.

Test Yourself 1. The Fertile Crescent is the arc of land that: a.Lies between the Tigris and Euphrates b.Curves from the Persian Gulf to the eastern Mediterranean coast. c.Lies along the banks of the Nile d.Reaches down to the African kingdom of Nubia. 2. Sumer was made up of: a.Provinces. b.Independent city-states. c.Hieroglyphics d.Ziggurats and Cuneiforms.

Test Yourself 1. What was the significance of the Code of Hammurabi? a.It was the first set of laws all written by one person. b.It was the first major collection of laws in history. c.It was the first system of laws that allowed for unrestricted person vengeance. d.It was the first set of laws to deal exclusively with criminal behavior. 2. The Epic of Gilgamesh is important because: a.It introduces the creation story. b.It is the first work whose author is known to us. c.It gives us a glimpse of Sumerians’ attitude towards life. d.B and C are correct e.All of the above are correct.