Unit 1 Test Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is the Fertile Crescent and why is it called that?
Named for its rich soils; Irrigation and agriculture developed here because of the fertile soil found near these rivers.
Name three disadvantages to Sumer’s natural environment?
1) the flooding of the rivers was unpredictable
2) it was a small region.
3) the natural resources were extremely limited.
What circumstances led to the beginning of organized government?
The need for order, structure, and unity through large areas of land led to the beginnings of organized government in Sumer.
Why did the Egyptians build pyramids?
The pyramids were built to protect the body of the Pharaoh for the afterlife. As many Egyptians believed, the body needed to be preserved and protected in the afterlife. These massive tombs ensured a higher level of protection than the ordinary citizen and allowed Pharaohs the luxury of bringing many of their valuable belongings and even servants with them to the afterlife.
Herodotus remarked that Egypt was the “gift of the nile.” What did he mean by this?
The Nile river had a unique annual inundation or flood pattern. Each year with the flood waters, that have their source high in the ancient volcanic ranges of the Ethiopian and Ugandan mountains. when the flood waters receded they left behind a few centimeters of black loam incredibly high in natural nutrients and minerals.
There is no doubt that without this renewable source of natural fertilization and flood plain irrigation that Egypt’s agrarian culture would have succumbed to salinity and irrigation problems making the land nonviable for continued agricultural production.
This would have made Egypt dependent on other civilizations for its sustainability.
It was exactly this problem that led to the early demise of Sumerian and Mesopotamian civilizations in the Tigris and Euphrates Valley.
So in these terms,the quote by Herodotus that “ Egypt is truly a gift of the Nile”, could not be more appropriate..
It is interesting to note that, since the construction of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser Egyptian farmers are having to use fertilizers on their crops for the first time in Egypt’s very long history of permanent agrarian culture and civilization.
What does the uniformity of Indus Valley cities tell us about their government?
The lay out of the city that was so much the same between all of the cities. This tells us they had a form of central government.
What evidence exists to show that Indus Valley civilizations traded with Sumer?
The layout of the cities along with the similarities in the cultures serve as evidence that the two cultures traded often.
What was the great advantage of the Chinese written language?
Could learn language even if spoken was very different. The Chinese written language helped unify a large and diverse land and made control much easier.
Explain the dynastic cycle in China
Chinese explanation for rebellion, civil war, and the rise of a new dynasty. Historians describe the pattern of rise, decline, and replacement of dynasties.
What are three reasons that historians give to explain why Indo-Europeans migrated?
Three reasons historians give to explain why Indo-Europeans migrated are:
- Overcrowding in their original homes
- Invasions by foreign powers
- Changing environments and unfavorable herding conditions
What are two technologies that helped the Hittites build their empire?
Two technologies that helped the Hittites build their empire include the Hittite war chariot and their technology of iron manipulation.
How were the Aryans different from the non-Aryans (dasas) that they encountered when migrating to India?
Aryans, unlike the urban and sedentary Dasas, were nomadic, counted wealth in terms of cattle, and spoke a different language than that of the Dasas. They were also physically different, being taller and lighter skinned.
In Hinduism, how are the ideas of karma, reincarnation, and moksha connected?
In Hinduism, souls will experience reincarnation over and over until the achieve moksha, the end goal of souls in Hinduism. Karma, whether good or bad, affects what class and what position a soul will reincarnate into, thus affecting its future prospects for achieving moksha.
Why were lower castes more likely to convert to Buddhism?
Lower castes were more likely to convert to Buddhism because, in Hinduism, they had to endure their rather miserable existences without complaint for the rest of their lives, while in Buddhism they were free from their caste bonds and had a opportunity to find out truth for themselves.
What did the Minoans export?
The Minoans primarily exported pottery, figurines, swords, and precious metals.
What is Phoenicia’s greatest legacy to the world?
Phoenicia’s greatest legacy to the world comes in the form of their system of writing, which would influence all future alphabets.
What is ethical monotheism and why is it important?
Ethical monotheism refers to the belief of ethical and right conduct along with the worship of one god. It is an important concept because it has influenced the beliefs and doctrines of the other two major Abrahamic religions, Islam and Christianity, and the societies that belief in them.
What were some of the achievements of David?
He led the Israel tribe to greatness, was Israel’s best kings, and he wrote all the Psalms.
What are two ways in which early Judaism differed from other religions of the time?
Two ways in which Judaism differed from earlier religions are that, one, Judaism was monotheistic and, two, God was more of a concept rather than a visible or conceivable entity and certainly was not embodied by a living man.
How did the Kushites treat Egyptian culture after they conquered Egypt?
The Kushites appreciated Egyptian culture and, even after they conquered Egypt, maintained and promulgated Egyptian culture.
When did Kush experience a golden age?
Kush experienced a golden age after the were pushed out of Egypt and moved to the city of Meroe.
How did Assyria acquire its empire?
The Assyrians acquired their empire through war and conquest.
What were the positive achievements of the Assyrian Empire?
Some positive achievements of the Assyrian empire can be seen in their magnificently constructed cities, their art depicting war and hunts, and their advanced and well-organized library at Nineveh.
What is Cyrus’s enduring legacy?
Cyrus’s most enduring legacy is of his kindness towards the conquered and his willing acceptance of different cultures and peoples into his empire.
