history
able to support the growth of
many plants; capable of
producing new life
fertile
small particles of rock, minerals,
and soil carried in water
silt
a wall or barrier built to
prevent flooding
levee
a self- governing city that
controls the land around it
city-state
the religious belief in many gods
polytheism
the system of how people
interact and live together in a
community
society
a Mesopotamian temple with a
pyramid shape and staircases
on the outside walls
ziggurat
a carriage with two or four
wheels, pulled by horses or
other animals
chariot
a tall, thin grass used to
draw on clay tablets
reed
an ancient form of writing
that used symbols carved
into wet clay tablets
cuneiform
a person whose job is copying
written information
scribe
a group of countries
or territories controlled
by a single leader
empire
a series of rulers who are all
from the same family
dynasty
payment of money or goods to
a ruler from conquered people
tribute
a long, complex tale that
tells the stories of a hero’s
adventures
epic
the religious belief in only
one God
monotheism
the collection of Jewish holy
writings; sometimes called the
Hebrew Bible
Tanakh
an extreme shortage of
food that results in
widespread hunger
famine
someone chosen by God to
bring a message to people
prophet
the story of the Israelites’
escape from ancient Egypt; a
departure of a large group of
people, especially migrants
Exodus
the state of being made to
live outside a place as a form
of punishment
exile
a shallow area of a river where
the water moves fast over rocks
or other obstacles
cataract
land created by silt deposits at
the mouth of a river
delta
a political and religious leader
of ancient Egypt
pharaoh
a tomb with
triangle-shaped sides
pyramid
a tall plant that ancient
Egyptians used to make paper;
the paper made from the plant
of the same name
papyrus
a system of writing based on
pictures rather than letters
hieroglyphics
an object used during a
past period in history
artifact