Silt/Soil A fine material carried by running water and deposited as a sediment

Surplus An excess amount of something

Civilization A complex, highly organized social order (8 characteristics)

River Valley An elongated lowland between ranges of mountains, hills, or other uplands, with a river running along the bottom

Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East named for its rich soils and golden wheat fields.

Mesopotamia “between the rivers”; home to the 1st civilization in the world; located in the Fertile Crescent

Irrigation the artificial application of water to land to assist in the production of crops

Monarchy Hereditary title King/Queen (ruler)

Hierarchy system for ranking people

City-State Early political system Government controls the city and surrounding area

Polytheism Belief in many gods/goddesses

Hammurabi’s Code 1 st written code of laws “Eye for an Eye” Laws under Hammurabi of Babylon

Judaism 1 st monotheistic religion - “Jewish” Abraham- 1 st prophet Torah-holy book; 10 Commandments

Monotheism Belief in 1 god

Empire group of states or territories controlled by 1 ruler

Cultural Diffusion Spread of culture/beliefs via trade, migration, and/or war

Ethnocentric A belief that ones’ ethnicity is superior; you’re at the ‘center’ of everything

Feudalism Decentralized government; an exchange of land for services; lords rule land for the king

Dynastic Cycle Natural disasters/problems  new dynasties Pattern repeats

Mandate of Heaven The right (orders) to rule from god

Monsoons Seasonal winds/rain- common to India

Filial Piety Respect for your elders (Confucian principle)