1. Define hieroglyphics.

- Hieroglyphics are the Egyptian writing system.

2. What is papyrus in the context of ancient Egypt?

- Papyrus refers to paper-like sheets used for writing.

3. Explain the role of simple pictographs in early Egyptian writing.

- Simple pictographs were the earliest form of writing in Egypt.

4. How did Egyptians improve their writing system from simple pictographs?

- Scribes developed a more flexible writing system known as hieroglyphics.

5. How were Sumerian and Egyptian writing systems similar?

- Both had pictures that stood for ideas in the earliest form of writing.

6. Why was a system of writing needed in ancient Egypt?

- A system of writing was needed to record and communicate information.

7. Why was the Rosetta Stone an important discovery?

- The Rosetta Stone provided the key to deciphering hieroglyphics.

8. What were the main achievements and inventions of the ancient Egyptians?

- Ancient Egyptian achievements include written numbers, hieroglyphics, geometry, pyramids, a

calendar, medicine, and more.

9. Where was the Harappan language found?

- The Harappan language was found on stamps and seals made of carved stone used for
trading.

10. What conclusion can you draw about our knowledge of the Harappan
Civilization?

- Our knowledge of the Harappan Civilization is limited, but artifacts provide insights into the
culture.

11. What area is known as the Indian subcontinent?

- India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

12. Why do historians know less about the Indus Valley civilization compared to
Mesopotamia and Egypt?

- Language of the Indus Valley culture has not been translated.

13. What geographical feature separates the Indian subcontinent from the rest of
Asia?

- Hindu Kush, Karakorum, and Himalayan ranges.

14. Describe the protection the Indus Valley had from invasion based on the map.

- Protected by Thar Desert, Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalayas.

15. What environmental challenges did the Indus Valley civilization face similar to
Mesopotamia and Egypt?

- Unpredictable floods, changing rivers, and unpredictable monsoons.

16. What evidence from satellite images revealed the fate of Indus Valley cities?

- Shifts in tectonic plates.

17. How did plate movement likely impact the Indus River?

- Caused earthquakes, floods, altered the river course.

18. What caused the decline of building quality in Indus Valley cities around 1750
BC?

- Decay

19. How did the production of surplus food impact early civilizations?

- It allowed for the development of trade by increasing the variety of goods.

20. How did the division of labor influence trade systems in early civilizations?

- It led to the growth of various professions and a more developed trade system.

21. What factors did civilizations' development depend on?

- Unique geographic, cultural, and economic influences.

22. What impact did building irrigation systems have on early societies?

- It enabled cultivation of more land and production of extra crops.

23. How did the division of labor lead to social changes in early civilizations?

- It contributed to the creation of social classes based on wealth, power, and labor.

24. Describe the religious evolution from the Old Stone Age to the New Stone
Age.

- Beliefs shifted from nature and animal spirits to worshiping gods associated with natural
forces.
25. What characterized the development of Sumerian civilization?

- Sumerian civilization first developed in cities and was defined as a complex culture.

26. What is the difference between the Old Stone Age and New Stone Age
religions?

- Old Stone Age religion focused on nature and spirits, while the New Stone Age involved
organized worship.

27. Define polytheism in the context of Sumerian religion.

- Belief in many gods; Sumerians feared powerful gods like Enlil, the god of storms.

28. How did the Sumerians view life after death?

- They believed in a dismal afterlife in the 'land of no return' with no joy.

29. What was the chief wealth of ancient Egypt according to the notes?

- The chief wealth came from the fertile floodplain of the Nile valley.

30. What was Egypt's sole transportation artery according to the notes?

- The Nile River.

31. What band separated the floodplain and hills in ancient Egypt's geography?

- A variable band of low desert supported a certain amount of game.

32. What was the route to the Red Sea in ancient Egypt's geography?

- The eastern desert between the Nile and the Red Sea.

33. According to the notes, what did the Isthmus of Suez offer as a route?

- It offered the principal route for contact with southwestern Asia.

34. What term is used in ancient Egypt for the god-kings and powerful rulers?

- Pharaohs.

35. What type of government is based on religious authority as mentioned in the

notes?

- A theocracy.

36. What was the striking difference in the role of kings between Egypt and
Mesopotamia?

- In Mesopotamia, kings were considered representatives of the gods, while in Egypt, kings
were gods.

37. What was the responsibility of the pharaoh in ancient Egypt?

- To promote truth, justice, and well-being of the kingdom.

38. What belief did ancient Egyptians hold about the pharaoh's role in nature
according to the notes?

- They believed the pharaoh caused the sun to rise, the Nile to flood, and the crops to grow.

39. What term is used to describe a government where rule is based on religious
authority?

- Theocracy.

40. What beliefs did ancient Sumerians hold about the afterlife according to the
notes?

- Gloomy afterlife in a dark underworld.

41. How did the burial practices in ancient Sumeria differ from ancient Egypt?

- Simple burials in Sumeria, mummification and grand tombs in Egypt.

42. What type of rulers were pharaohs in ancient Egypt according to the notes?

- Pharaohs were considered gods, divine representatives of gods.

43. What was the significance of monuments in ancient Sumeria compared to

ancient Egypt?

- Sumeria had no grand monuments, while Egypt had pyramids and grand tombs.

44. What environmental changes likely disrupted food production in the

Harappan civilization?

- Environmental changes like earthquakes, floods, and drying up of rivers.

45. How did the drying up of the Sarasvati River affect trade in the Indus Valley
cities?

- It made trade on the river impossible, leading to the decline of some cities.

46. What factors contributed to the decline of Harappan agriculture?

- Overuse of soil, which may have exhausted its fertility.

47. Why did people leave the cities in the Indus Valley civilization?

- Challenges like disrupted food production and environmental changes forced them to leave to
survive.

48. How did the Aryans influence the cultural trajectory of the Indus Valley
region?

- They entered around 1500 BC, impacting the development of Indian civilization.

49. Which environmental factors led to the decline of Indus Valley cities?

- Shifts in tectonic plates, earthquakes, and drying up of the Sarasvati River.

50. What caused the decline in the quality of buildings in the Indus Valley cities?
- Likely caused by environmental disasters and overuse of soil leading to decline in resources.

51. How did the arrival of the Aryans around 1500 BC influence the Indus Valley
region?

- Their migration and cultural interactions impacted the region's development.

52. What environmental disruptions may have affected agriculture, water supply,
and trade in the Indus Valley civilization?

- Shifts in tectonic plates, change in river paths, and drying up of the Sarasvati River.

53. What civilization was isolated from outside influences and was arising to the
east of the Indus Valley region?

- Another civilization was arising on the east, isolated from external influences.

54. Who defeated the city-states of Sumer around 2350 BC?

- Sargon of Akkad

55. What did Sargon create by taking control of both northern and southern
Mesopotamia?

- The world's first empire

56. What is an empire?

- An empire brings together several peoples, nations, or previously independent states under
the control of one ruler.

57. How far did the Akkadian Empire loosely control land at its height?

- From the Mediterranean Coast in the west to present-day Iran in the east.

58. How long did Sargon's dynasty last?

- Only about 200 years.

59. During what period did city-states at constant war exist from 3000 to 2000
BC?

- From 3000 to 2000 BC.

60. Who created the first empire by defeating the city-states of Sumer?

- Sargon of Akkad

61. What did Hammurabi create for the Babylonian Empire?

- A code of laws

62. How many laws were engraved in stone by Hammurabi?

- 282 laws on all aspects of life.

63. What was the goal of Hammurabi's government regarding justice?

- To take responsibility for order and justice.

64. Where did a great civilization flourish along the banks of the Nile River?

- Ancient Egypt in Africa.

65. What did the Egyptians develop to preserve their pharaohs for the afterlife?

- They mummified their pharaohs.

66. What complex system of writing did the Egyptians develop?

- Hieroglyphics

67. What social classes existed in Sumerian society?

- Slaves, landholders, priests, merchants, artisans, kings

68. How could Sumerian slaves gain their freedom?

- Debt slaves could hope to eventually buy their freedom.

69. What rights did Sumerian women have?

- Sumerian women could work as merchants, farmers, artisans, hold property, and join the
priesthood.

70. What types of gods did the Sumerians believe in?

- Sumerians believed in many different gods, practicing polytheism.

71. How were gods perceived by the Sumerians?

- Gods were thought to control forces of nature, behaving as humans with people as their
servants.

72. Which social classes were at the top and bottom of Sumerian society?

- Kings, landholders, and priests were at the top, while slaves were at the lowest levels.

73. What led to the civilization's triumph in the dry Sumerian environment?

- The Social Structure of the Sumerians reflected their civilization’s triumph over its dry and
harsh environment.

74. How did succeeding rulers adapt Sumerian culture?

- Succeeding sets of rulers adapted the basic ideas of Sumerian culture to meet their own
needs.

75. Which civilization did the social structure of the Sumerians reflect?

- The Social Structure of the Sumerians reflected their civilization’s triumph over its dry and
harsh environment.

76. What is suggested by the presence of animal images on artifacts in

Harappan culture?

- Animals were an important part of the culture.

77. How did the presence of few weapons of warfare in Harappan cities suggest
conflict?

- It suggests that conflict was limited.

78. What does the presence of seals probably used by Indus merchants in
Sumer suggest?

- Trade connections between Indus Valley and Mesopotamia.

79. What indicates that Harappans had advanced trade networks?

- Harappan Seals found in Sumer and trade via Persian Gulf.

80. What type of society did the artifacts in Harappan cities suggest?

- A prosperous society capable of producing nonessential goods.

81. What factors provided the Harappans with a means for trade with distant
peoples?

- Location along the Indus River and access to the sea.

82. What aspect of Harappan civilization do artifacts like pottery, tools, and
jewelry provide insights into?

- Daily life and economic practices.

83. What religious characteristic is associated with the rulers of the Harappan
civilization?

- Close ties to religion, indicating a theocracy.

84. What role did animals play in various forms of art in Harappan culture?

- They were portrayed on pottery, statues, toys, and trade seals.

85. What role did the Indus River play in enabling trade for the Harappans?
- Provided transportation for trade goods and access to distant peoples.