Mesopotamia: Scrapbook Activity

Source: Haberman, Arthur. Civilizations: A Cultural Atlas
Vancouver: Gage Educational Publishing Company, 1994.

World View (p 12-13)

1. List the four territorial states that flourished in Mesopotamia (and timeframes).
2. What role did nature, climate and geography have on the influence of religion?
3. What was the most significant historical moment according to records in Mesopotamia? Why?
4. What were ziggurats?
5. Mesopotamia was considered the “cradle” of much of Western Civilization. Give five examples to justify this claim.
6. What was considered the greatest technology advancement in the history of civilization? Why?
7. What was the purpose of Mesopotamian art? What does the art reveal about Mesopotamian society?
8. Examine figure 2.3. How did Mesopotamian writing transform? Copy one example.

Community and Work (p. 14-15)

1. How was Mesopotamian society organized? What were some of the categories?
2. Who was the chief administrator? What other roles did he have?
3. What were the other two sectors of how society was organized?
4. What does the Map of Nippur reveal about the sophistication of society?
5. Describe the monument of the Code of Hammurabi.
6. What is the common theme that is evident in Hammurabi’s Code of Laws?
7. Describe women’s roles in Mesopotamia.
8. What rights did women have in property, economy, marriage and divorce?

People and Power p. 16-17)

1. How did people view laws in Mesopotamia? Why?
2. How does the evidence on page 16 illustrate the power and position of the king?
3. Which was the most impressive and influential imperial power of Mesopotamia? How big was its empire?
4. What role did religion play in imperialism?
5. Why might Ashurnasirpal II have been considered an ideal ruler?
6. How does the “Pronouncement of Nineveh”, offer a different opinion of Ashurnasirpal II? Why do you think this is so?

Scrapbook Activity
Critieria	Level 4	Level 3	Level 2	Level 1
Content of Answers (Knowledge /Understanding & Communication)	All answers are exceptionally detailed and thorough	Most answers are detailed and thorough	Answers are mostly simple but more details and content can be drawn	Answers are minimal and many key concepts are missing
Critical/Conclusion Analysis (Thinking / Inquiry & Application)	Exceptional and critical conclusions are drawn as well as analyzed	Most answers contain critical conclusions that are thoroughly discussed in detail	Adequate conclusions and critical analysis is demonstrated	Limited critical conclusions and analysis