Ancient Civilizations & Early Empires Flashcards
6 cards from real AP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Ancient Civilizations & Early Empires flashcards as text
Which ancient civilization developed cuneiform writing?
Answer: Sumerians
The Sumerians developed cuneiform, one of the earliest writing systems, around 3400 BCE in Mesopotamia.
What was the significance of the Nile River to ancient Egyptian civilization?
Answer: It provided fertile land for agriculture through annual flooding
The Nile's annual flooding deposited rich silt on farmland, enabling agriculture in an otherwise desert environment and supporting Egyptian civilization.
Which ancient civilization built the first known legal code?
Answer: Babylonians under Hammurabi
Hammurabi's Code, created around 1754 BCE in Babylon, is one of the earliest known written legal codes.
What was the Indus Valley Civilization known for?
Answer: Advanced urban planning with grid-pattern cities and sanitation systems
The Indus Valley Civilization featured remarkably advanced urban planning with grid-pattern streets, sophisticated drainage and sanitation systems.
What role did the Silk Road play in ancient civilizations?
Answer: It facilitated trade and cultural exchange between East and West
The Silk Road was a network of trade routes facilitating extensive commercial and cultural exchange between Eastern and Western civilizations.
Which technological innovation was critical to the rise of early civilizations?
Answer: Agriculture and the domestication of plants and animals
The development of agriculture allowed humans to settle in permanent communities, produce food surpluses, and develop complex societies.