What is the term for the way people live in a complex political, economic and social structure?
civilization
What is depicted in the cave painting of the Paleolithic period?
animals
What was the Neolithic Revolution?
when hunters and gatherers became farmers & herders
What are the 2 geographical areas where civilizations first arose in the Near East?
Mesopotamia & Egypt
What is the Fertile Crescent?
an arc of land containing some of the most arable soil in the Near East, heavily traveled trade routes, & most of the early centers of civilization
Who was known as the Babylonian lawgiver?
Hammurabi
What vocation dominated the economy of Mesopotamia?
agriculture
What bearing did flooding have on Mesopotamian religious beliefs?
flooding that was not regular caused people to think that gods were unpredictable
Characterize Mesopotamian views of the deities (gods).
the gods had created humans to serve them, Gods were in complete control, powerless mortals had no choice but to obey and worship these deities
The power of the gods over mortals is a prominent theme of what epic story?
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Who was the earliest known female literary figure?
Enheduanna
Briefly characterize the Babylonian law code?
justice, retaliation, “an eye for an eye”
What was the basic type of construction for buildings in Mesopotamia?
post-and-lintel construction
What is the name for the typical religious building in Mesopotamia? For what purpose?
Ziggurat; pyramid that served as the center of worship
Isolated by deserts, which early civilization was influenced very little by neighboring cultures?
Egypt
Which pharaoh brought about the Amarna revolution?
Akhenaten
What is the most famous work of ancient Egyptian literature?
The Story of Sinuhe
What Egyptian architectural form seemed to embody a constant and eternal order?
Pyramid
Describe the basic elements of classical Egyptian style of sculpture.
left leg slightly forward; hands clenched at sides; rigid pose; serene unemotional look
What was Egypt’s outstanding contribution in relief sculpture?
invention of cannon proportions for depicting human figure
