Civilization Begins in Mesopotamia By: Laura Boehmer

Mesopotamia The land “between the rivers.” Was at the eastern end of the Fertile Crescent

Fertile Crescent Arc of land from Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf

Sumerians Creators of first Mesopotamian Civilization

Polytheistic Believing in many gods

City-states Basic units of Sumerian civilization

Uruk Independent city in Mesopotamia

Ziggurat Massive stepped tower

Theocracy Government by divine authority

Cuneiform Wedge-shaped system of writing

Gilgemesh Epic poem of legendary King

Scribe Served as copyists, teachers, and jurists

Akkadians North of Sumerian city-states

Sargon Leader of Akkadians

Empire Large political unit/state

Babylon City-state South of Akkad

Hammurabi Gained control of Sumer and Akkad

Patriarchal Men dominated society