Name means "land between the rivers". Where the first civilization began. Present day Iraq & Syria.

The region in the Middle East which curves, like a quarter-moon shape. Known as the "Cradle of Civilization".

Polytheistic (or polytheism)

Means "rule by god".
Describes a government where the ruler is thought to be a God.
Ex: Anceint Egypt

1st writing system developed by the Sumerians.

1st written laws, given to people of Ancient Babylon by King Hammurabi. Very strict.

Patriachal

The longest river in the world.

Inundation

Rich, black mud left behind from the flooding of the Nile RIver.

The king who united Lower & Upper Egypt (around 3100 BC).

Dynasty

Name for Egyptian King.

The "life force". The part of the physical body that the Egyptians believed was stuck in after death.

The part of the soul that embarked on a journey to follow the gods.

Mummification

Containers used to hold the internal organs of the person being mummified.

Sarcophagus

Pharaoh responsible for the Great Pyramid at Giza.

The Great Pyramid

King Khufu's Boat

The Great Sphinx

Egyptian Picture Writing

A stone with writing on it in two languages (Egyptian and Greek), using three scripts (hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek).

Hyksos

Hatshepsut
(hat-SHEP-soot)

Akhenaten
(aka Amenhotep)

17 year old boy pharaoh whose tomb survived untouched by grave robbers. More than 3000 artifacts were found in his tomb.

Ramses II

Reed like plant that grows on the Nile River Ancient Egyptians used to write on.

Cultural Diffusion