Flashcards on Ancient Civilizations

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City-state

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A self-governing city with its own government, laws, and surrounding territory.

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Empire

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A large territory or group of different lands ruled by a single ruler or government.

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Polytheism

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The belief in and worship of many gods.

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Monarchy

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A government ruled by a king or queen.

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Code of Law

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A written set of laws for everyone in a society to follow, such as the Code of Hammurabi.

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Hierarchy

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The organization of people into social classes, often with a king and priests at the top.

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Cuneiform

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The system of writing developed by the Sumerians, which used wedge-shaped marks pressed into clay tablets.

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Scribe

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A person, often a highly skilled worker, who specialized in reading and writing.

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Ziggurat

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A large, stepped pyramid-shaped temple tower, often found in the center of a city.

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Stylus

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A sharpened reed used to make marks in soft clay for writing.