Mesopotamian Empires Quiz

How did the Akkadians change the Sumerian city-states?

• They banned the Sumerian religion.

• They destroyed the Sumerian irrigation systems.

• They conquered the independent city-states and united them into one empire.

Answer explanation

The city-states operated like small independent countries until Sargon and the Akkadians united them into the world's first empire.

What did the Akkadian and Sumerian cultures share?

• They spoke the same language.

• They worshipped the same gods.

• They both used cuneiform writing.

• They shared all 3 of these cultural elements.

Answer explanation

Although the Akkadians will ultimately develop their own language, Akkadians and Sumerians shared many cultural elements. These two cultures used the Sumerian language, used cuneiform writing, and even worshipped the same gods. Akkadians just changed the names of the traditional Sumerian gods.

How did all the Mesopotamian empires make sure there was plenty of food for their people?

• They insisted that all adult males become farmers.

• They forced conquered people to give up their food.

• They built and maintained complex irrigation systems to water crops of food.

Answer explanation

In the dry Mesopotamian climate, it is important that leaders have reliable irrigation systems in order to grow crops and provide their people with a stable supply of food.

Why was Hammurabi's Code an important achievement?

• It was the first set of laws to be written down.

• It was the first set laws that treated ALL people equally.

• It was the earliest form of a constitution.

Answer explanation

To the best of our knowledge, Hammurabi's Code is the oldest written laws to ever be discovered. Not only were the laws written down, they displayed publicly for everyone to see. The laws applied to everyone, but they did not necessarily treat ALL people equally.

What new weapon did the Assyrians develop for warfare?

• A crossbow

• A battering ram

• a catapult

Answer explanation

At this point in history, city walls were one of the best forms of protection. Battering rams could destroy city walls and allow soldiers to enter the city being attacked.

How did Hammurabi keep the Babylonians from questioning or changing his laws?

• He enforced a strict death penalty for those questioning the law.

• He claimed the laws came from the god Shamash and thus could not be questioned.

• Hammurabi actually encouraged debate and changed the laws all the time.

Answer explanation

Hammurabi claimed he received the laws from the gods. Specifically, the god Shamash. He also proclaimed that Marduk should be held supreme of the other gods.

After Nebuchadnezzar II conquered part of Canaan,

• He made the Hebrews citizens of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

• He built an inner wall and outer wall around Jerusalem to protect it.

• He took most of the Hebrews captive and brought them to Babylonia.

Answer explanation

This is the first time we have learned about the conquering and enslavement of the Hebrews. Unfortunately, it is not the last.

Which is the proper sequence of empires that ruled Mesopotamia?

• Neo-Babylonian, Babylonian, Akkadian, Assyrian

• Assyrian, Akkadian, Babylonian, Neo-Babylonian.

• Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, Neo-Babylonian

Answer explanation

Sing to yourself, "Sargon, Hammurabi, Ashurbanipal, and Gilgamesh." Then try to remember, Sargon is Akkadian, Hammurabi is Babylonian, and Ashurbanipal is Assyrian.

Each Mesopotamian empire got progressively bigger. Why did Mesopotamian emperors continually try to conquer and add more land to their territory?

• More land means access to more natural resources.

• Adding more land usually involves adding more people to your population.

• Adding more people means you can collect more taxes.

• All 3 of these options are correct.

Answer explanation

Natural resources, people, and taxes all equate to more power for the empire and the emperor.

Which of the following is both an artistic and military achievement of the Neo-Babylonians?

• The Ishtar Gates

• The sundial

• The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Answer explanation

The Ishtar Gates were both an artistic and military achievement. They protected the capital city of Babylon, but they also provided the citizens with a beautiful piece of art that surrounded their city.