ESSENTIAL VOCABULARY UNIT 9

ADOBE

Sun-dried brick of clay and Straw.

BC

Meaning “Before Christ”, is an indication that a date is before the birth of Christ.

CUNEIFORM

A type of writing that appeared in Mesopotamia, consisting of signs written on clay tablets.

FERTILE CRESCENT

The  region between the Nile in Egypt and the mouths of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers where early civilisations.

HIEROGLYPH

A symbol or picture used as a form of writing in Ancient Egypt.

MESOPOTAMIA

The area along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers where several important civilisation grew. Mesopotamia means “land between the rivers”.

MUMMY

The preserved outer part of a dead body, which the ancient Egyptians believed prepared the dead person for the afterlife.

PHARAOP

A King of Ancient Egypt, who held absolute political, military and religious authority, and was believed to be a god.

POLYTHEISM

The belief in many gods, goddesses and natural forces, which was held in Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome.

PYRAMID

Huge constructions built of Stone, in Ancient Egypt, that served as tombs for the pharaohs.

RIVER-VALLEY CIVILISATION

One o the ancient societies, that developed in an area where the flooding of a great river fertilised the land. They were highly advanced societies, usually rule by a King.

SETTLEMENT

A place where people lived together over a long period of time.

SLAVE

A person whit no rights, who was the property of somebody else.

SLAVE ECONOMY

An economy in which slaves were the labour force in agricultura, mining, public buildingds and domestic service.

TEMPLE

A religious building, where gods and goddesses were worshipped and where prayers and offerings were made.

THEOCRACY

A society where the ruler was both a religious and political authority.

TOMB

A funeral chamber

ZIGGURAT

A pyramid-shaped tower with several levels, which was part of a temple in Mesopotamia.