The Great Courses World History: Lesson 1 Civilizations of the Fertile Crescent

#1. What is the Fertile Crescent? Area of land with its eastern tip on the Persian Gulf and its western end lying along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea Area of land with its eastern tip on the Persian Gulf and its western end lying along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea Mesopotamia “the land between two rivers” – the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Mesopotamia “the land between two rivers” – the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers Area which is now modern day: Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel Area which is now modern day: Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel

#2. What is polytheism? Belief in many gods Belief in many gods Each city had its own gods Each city had its own gods As opposed to monotheism – belief in ONE God As opposed to monotheism – belief in ONE God Polytheism throughout Mesopotamia Polytheism throughout Mesopotamia

#3. What is a ziggurat? A three-tiered structure, usually built of mud-brick A three-tiered structure, usually built of mud-brick Served as a temple for religious ceremonies Served as a temple for religious ceremonies

#4. What is cuneiform? Type of writing used by the Sumerians (in Mesopotamia) Type of writing used by the Sumerians (in Mesopotamia) Wedge-shaped symbols on clay tablets representing objects, abstract ideas, sounds, & syllables Wedge-shaped symbols on clay tablets representing objects, abstract ideas, sounds, & syllables Cunei – Latin for “wedge” Cunei – Latin for “wedge” REGARDED AS THE WORLD’S 1 ST WRITTEN LANGUAGE REGARDED AS THE WORLD’S 1 ST WRITTEN LANGUAGE

#5. Who was Hammurabi? Ruler of Babylon between 1792 – 1750 B.C.E. (part of Mesopotamia)

#6. Why was Hammurabi’s code outstanding for its day? Was important because it marked the first time that laws had been written down, thus standardizing them throughout the kingdom (over 280 laws!!!) Was important because it marked the first time that laws had been written down, thus standardizing them throughout the kingdom (over 280 laws!!!) Textbook definition: Series of laws publicized at the order of King Hammurabi of Babylon ( c B.C.E.) Not actually a code but a series/ number of laws that proclaim the king’s commitment to social order Textbook definition: Series of laws publicized at the order of King Hammurabi of Babylon ( c B.C.E.) Not actually a code but a series/ number of laws that proclaim the king’s commitment to social order

#7. What contributions did Moses make to justice and government? Contributed to justice AND government by taking the Ten Commandments down from Mt. Sinai and delivering them to the Hebrews. Contributed to justice AND government by taking the Ten Commandments down from Mt. Sinai and delivering them to the Hebrews. These commandments established a moral and ethical code of conduct for the Hebrews to live by. These commandments established a moral and ethical code of conduct for the Hebrews to live by.

#8. List some of the civilizations that rose and fell in the Fertile Crescent. Sumer Sumer Babylon Babylon Assyria Assyria The Chaldean The Chaldean The Persian The Persian

#9. Who was Darius? Leader of the Persian Empire Leader of the Persian Empire Took control of the Persian Empire in 522 B.C.E. Took control of the Persian Empire in 522 B.C.E. Divided the empire into 20 provinces and assigned a royal governor ( satraps ) to oversee the region Divided the empire into 20 provinces and assigned a royal governor ( satraps ) to oversee the region Improved transportation Improved transportation Coinage – standardization for trade Coinage – standardization for trade

#10. Who was Zoroaster, and what did he teach? Lived c. 600 B.C.E. Lived c. 600 B.C.E. Taught that there were TWO spiritual armies that fought for control of a person’s soul Taught that there were TWO spiritual armies that fought for control of a person’s soul Taught that at the end of time, ALL souls would be judged by the side they chose Taught that at the end of time, ALL souls would be judged by the side they chose and that the good would be lifted into paradise and the evil would be cast into a fiery pit to suffer for eternity and that the good would be lifted into paradise and the evil would be cast into a fiery pit to suffer for eternity

1.Define the word civilization AND give an example… (think about the 7 shared characteristics Civilization: stage of human social development & organization that is considered most advanced Civilization: stage of human social development & organization that is considered most advanced Early civilizations (period 1: B.C.E.) had 7 characteristics Early civilizations (period 1: B.C.E.) had 7 characteristics Cities Cities Gov’t Gov’t Religion Religion Job Specialization Job Specialization Social Classes Social Classes Record Keeping / Writing Record Keeping / Writing Arts Arts

2. 2. Explain how Darius successfully controlled his empire. Divided the empire into 20 provinces. Divided the empire into 20 provinces. Appointed tax collectors, governors, and military officers to oversee the operations of each province Appointed tax collectors, governors, and military officers to oversee the operations of each province Standardized monetary measurement Standardized monetary measurement Built a royal road system Built a royal road system Was more tolerant of local customs and religions than previous emperors, who demanded that conquered countries adopt the religious and belief systems of the conquerors Was more tolerant of local customs and religions than previous emperors, who demanded that conquered countries adopt the religious and belief systems of the conquerors