Ancient Civ: 40 flashcards
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1. What is a civilization?
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A complex society with cities, government, social classes, and advanced culture.
2. Name the four earliest river valley civilizations.
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Mesopotamia (Tigris-Euphrates), Egypt (Nile), Indus Valley (Indus), China (Yellow River).
3. What does 'Mesopotamia' mean?
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Land between the rivers (Tigris and Euphrates).
4. Which ancient civilization developed cuneiform?
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Sumer (Mesopotamia).
5. What was the purpose of ziggurats?
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Temples dedicated to gods, also served as administrative centers.
6. Who was Hammurabi and what is he known for?
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Babylonian king who created one of the first written law codes.
7. What is the significance of the Nile River to ancient Egypt?
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Provided fertile soil, water, transportation, and annual flooding for agriculture.
8. What were the pyramids used for?
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Tombs for pharaohs and evidence of advanced engineering.
9. What is hieroglyphics?
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Ancient Egyptian writing system using pictures and symbols.
10. Which artifact helped decipher hieroglyphics?
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The Rosetta Stone.
11. What were the major cities of the Indus Valley Civilization?
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Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.
12. What advanced features did Indus Valley cities have?
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Grid streets, drainage systems, standardized bricks, public baths.
13. What is the significance of the Yellow River in ancient China?
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Cradle of Chinese civilization; provided fertile soil but also destructive floods.
14. What were oracle bones used for in ancient China?
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Divination and recording of early Chinese writing.
15. What is the Mandate of Heaven?
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Chinese belief that rulers had divine approval but could lose it if unjust.
16. What was the Silk Road?
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Ancient trade network connecting China to the Mediterranean.
17. What is the significance of the Code of Hammurabi?
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One of the earliest written legal codes; established justice and penalties.
18. What were the social classes in ancient civilizations?
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Rulers/priests, nobles/warriors, merchants/artisans, peasants/slaves.
19. What is polytheism?
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Belief in many gods, common in ancient civilizations.
20. What role did priests play in ancient civilizations?
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Performed rituals, interpreted will of gods, held high status.
21. What is the significance of the invention of the wheel?
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Revolutionized transportation, trade, and pottery making.
22. What were the main achievements of ancient Egypt?
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Pyramids, hieroglyphics, medicine, mathematics, calendar.
23. What is the significance of the Great Bath in Mohenjo-daro?
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Evidence of advanced sanitation and possible ritual bathing.
24. What was the role of the pharaoh in ancient Egypt?
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Absolute ruler, considered a god on earth.
25. What is the Epic of Gilgamesh?
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One of the earliest known works of literature, from Mesopotamia.
26. What were the main features of ancient Chinese writing?
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Logographic characters, evolved from pictographs, used on oracle bones.
27. What is the significance of the Indus Valley seals?
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Used for trade and identification; contain undeciphered script.
28. What were the main crops grown in ancient civilizations?
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Wheat, barley, rice, millet, and others depending on region.
29. What is the significance of the development of metallurgy?
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Allowed for stronger tools and weapons (bronze, iron).
30. What was the role of slaves in ancient civilizations?
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Performed labor, often prisoners of war or debtors.
31. What is the significance of the calendar in ancient civilizations?
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Used for agriculture, religious festivals, and record-keeping.
32. What were the main architectural achievements of Mesopotamia?
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Ziggurats, city walls, and irrigation systems.
33. What is the significance of the Nile's annual flooding?
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Deposited fertile silt, enabling agriculture.
34. What was the purpose of mummification in ancient Egypt?
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Preserve the body for the afterlife.
35. What is the significance of the Rosetta Stone?
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Allowed decipherment of hieroglyphics by providing parallel texts.
36. What were the main features of the Indus Valley script?
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Undeciphered, pictographic, often found on seals.
37. What was the role of the Shang dynasty in ancient China?
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First recorded Chinese dynasty, known for bronze work and oracle bones.
38. What is the significance of the Great Wall of China?
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Built to protect against invasions; symbol of Chinese civilization.
39. What were the main trade goods of ancient civilizations?
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Spices, textiles, metals, grains, and luxury items.
40. What is the significance of the development of writing?
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Enabled record-keeping, laws, literature, and history.
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