Chapter 2 ~ Fertile Crescent Review and Assessment Questions

15. a. What was the Fertile Crescent? Answer: A region shaped like a crescent moon along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It is referred to as the cradle of civilization, because the early civilizations began there.   Explain the importance of the Tigris and the Euphrates rivers in the Fertile Crescent. Answer: The rivers provided water for irrigation, fish for food and reeds and clay for building. How did the geography of the Fertile Crescent help the Sumerians to prosper? Answer: They were able to grow crops, and trade goods with neighboring peoples.

a. Describe the Babylonian, Assyrian, New Babylonian, and Persian Empires.   Facts about the Sumerian Empire. Sumerian Empire ~ * Was the first empire ruled justly for 56 years by King Sargon * Sargon united 65 city-states that were previously independent * Ziggurats ~ for religious, economic, and social activities * Writing = cuneiform (was used in other empires, but started here)