“Land Between the Rivers”Answer Key

Question 1: How did the geography of Mesopotamia make this a likely area for civilization?

• A: Mesopotamia was between two rivers so it was a great place for growing crops. It had plenty of fresh water and fertile soil.

Question 2: What might be some advantages and disadvantages to living between two rivers?

• Advantages-

* Water for crops * Bathing

* Drinking water * Transportation * Trade * Food (fish/mammals)

Question 2 (cont’d):

Another advantage (today, but not in 3500 B.C…)

~Electricity~

Question 2 (cont’d):Disadvantages

* Flooding (crops, homes)

* Insects * Wild animals

Question 3: What does the word, “Mesopotamia” mean?

A: Mesopotamia is Greek for “…(land) between the rivers…”

Question 4: Look at the map on page 30. Name two features

that would discourage human settlement and explain why.

• Zagros Mountains• Syrian Desert• Arabian Desert--difficult to grow food

in deserts, mountains.

--lack of water in desert.

Question 5: How did the Fertile Crescent get its name?Name the body of water that borders the western edge of the

Fertile Crescent.

A: The region is somewhat crescent shaped, and extremely fertile due to rich soil from the two rivers.

Question 6: What is a “city-state”? What are three characteristics given for city-states?

• Have own god/goddess• Have their own government• Have their own king

city-state: an independent city separated from other cities by long distances—like a very small country with just one city in it.

Question 7: Sumerians were a “polytheistic” people. What does the word polytheism mean?

• A: Polytheism is the belief in more than one (multiple) gods. (The Greeks and Romans were polytheistic).