Unit 2: River
Civilizations
Part 1 - Sumer
Study
Guide
Use this guide with the “Chapter 2, Sumer” reading.
Read Packets over first to get a general idea of the information
Go back and reread to fill out the Who and What
Go back and reread to fill out the TMD in the How and Why section
Follow instructions for the map and timeline for the When and Where
section.
Study and review in class and at home to prepare for unit test.
Who and What
You will be expected to know what the following terms are in your final unit test. Identify
what each word is and why it is significant. Feel free to use a separate sheet of paper or note
cards if you need.
Mesopotamia
Fertile Crescent
The Ubiad
Irrigation
Semetic
Division of Labor/ Job Specialization
City-State
Ziggurat
Ensi/ Priest King
Polytheistic
Cuneiform
Scribe
Gilgamesh/ Epic of
Theocracy
Monarchy
Dynasty
Akkadians
Sargon I
Empire
Centralized Government
Amorites
Babylon
Hanging Gardens
Hammurabi
Code of Hammurabi
Kassites
Words we will go over in Class:
Retribution
Restitution
Reform
Codify
Civil Law
Criminal Law
How and Why
OK, so you are getting the idea now. You will want to create your own Topic and Main Idea and Detail outline for
the following reading sections. You can do it on this page or a separate piece of paper.
Mesopotamia (Just a main idea for this section is fine)
Where to Find Mesopotamia
Sumer (3500-2000)
An explosion of knowledge
Ziggurats
Cuneiform
The Early Dynastic Period
The Akkadian Empire
Renewal in Ur
Babylonia
Hammurabi’s Reign
Mathematics, Science and Religion
A Series of Invasions
When
6000bc
5000bc
4000bc
3000bc
Be able to locate the following events on the timeline above:

The Ubaid settle in the Mesopotamian river valleys

Sumerians develop first cities and inventions

Early Sumerian Dynastic Period

Akkadian Empire

2nd Sumerian Dynastic Period

Amorites invade and rule Mesopotamia

Rule of Hammurabi

Kassites and Hittites destroy Amorite Empire.
2000bc
1000bc
0bc
Where
Use the internet or old textbooks in class to locate the following areas




Fertile Crescent, Mesopotamia, Sumeria, Akkadia, Akkadian Empire, Amorite Empire, Egyptian Kingdom,
City of Babyon, City of Ur, City of Uruk,
Modern Countries of: Iraq, Iran, Kuwait, Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia
Tigris River, Euphrates River, Nile River, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean