1. Mesopotamia
Land between the rivers

2. Sumer
The Sumerians are thought to have formed the first human civilization in world history.
They lived in southern Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers in the Middle East. 

3. Fertile Crescent Arch shaped region full of rich farmland
Mesopotamia is located in this region

4. Silt Fertile soil left behind after a flood
Mixture of tiny rocks and dirt
Floodwaters bring to the land

5. Irrigation Supply water to an area of land
Canals, dams, basins built by people to bring water from Tigris and Euphrates River to the inland regions

6. Canals
Man-made waterways

7. Surplus
Extra
More than needed

8. Division of Labor Doing jobs based on ability A way to meet more needs
Required for the advancement of society

9. Social Hierarchy Ranking of society by class or job. Rulers
Mrs. Young Ha!
Priests and Warriors

10. Caravans Traveling groups of merchants (buyers and sellers of goods)
Camels helped travel over desert
Merchants travel from city to city bringing goods like pottery, cloth, baskets, jewelry, etc.

11. Monarch Ruler, King, Pharaoh, etc Ruler of the government
Person with most power and wealth that makes decisions for the lower classes
Power is passed to other family members

12. Gilgamesh Legendary Sumerian King of the city of Uruk in Sumer
Most famous because of
the great epic (long story) told
about his heroism 
The Epic of Gilgamesh

13. Sargon the Great Also known as Sargon of Akkad
Created world’s first empire when conquered the people of Sumer
First permanent army

14. Hammurabi’s Code Hammurabi = Babylonian King
282 laws written by Hammurabi
Dealt with everyday issues back then
Harsh – eye for an eye!!!

15. Empire
Large area of land under the complete authority and rule of one person

16. Polytheism
Worship many gods and or goddesses

17. Cuneiform First writing system Wedge-shaped writing in clay tablets
Stylus to indent
Symbols or
pictographs into the
clay

18. Scribe Writer – usually boys/men from wealthy family
Years of training to read and write cuneiform
Keeps records of trade and government

19. Epics Long stories that tell of heroes
Epic of Gilgamesh – Great King of Sumer

20. Ziggurat Pyramid-shaped temple inside the city-states in Mesopotamia
Built to honor Mesopotamian gods
Very top = holy place, gods’ home

21. City-State A city that governs itself and its surrounding territory.
Villages grew into large cities and a government was needed to organize people
City-state = first government system
There were many city-states throughout Sumer. 
These city-states often fought each other.
They built walls around their cities for protection. Farmland was outside the walls, but people would retreat to the city when invaders came. 

22. Tribute Forced payment to the king from a conquered people
Food, animals,
tools, jewelry, etc.

23. King Nebuchadnezzar King of Chaldean Empire in Mesopotamia
Rebuilt Babylon
Built the
Hanging Gardens for
his wife (Don’t get this confused with the ziggurat!)