nickname for the Middle East because it has been a

cultural blending ground due to the fact that it is in the

middle of three major continents (Africa, Europe and

Asia).

land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers where the

river civilization of Sumer and others were created.  Very

fertile because it is between two rivers.

name of one of the major the river civilizations between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

was the central building in the Mesopotamian (including Sumerian) cities which functioned as both a government and religious center.

one of the world’s first written set of laws created by King

Hammurabi in Babylonia (in Mesopotamia).  Main point

was “an eye for an eye” and it was considered to have

very harsh penalties but was an advance because laws

were consistent.

when the Greeks under Alexander the Great conquered

parts of Egypt and into Mesopotamia they created a blend

of cultures from the Middle East and Europe to create a

new culture called Hellenistic.

received the covenant with God which started Judaism,

one of the first monotheistic religions.  He is believed to be

the common thread between all three major monotheistic

religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam).

spreading out of a culture or ethnic group – often caused

because a group is being persecuted. Often used to speak

of the Jews.

monotheistic religion; followers of Jesus believe Jesus was

the Son of God. 

five main rules of Islam that include: Prayer five times a day, Almsgiving, Pilgrimage to Mecca, Profession of Faith, Fast during Ramadan.

Muhammad’s trusted advisor; became first caliph (successor to Muhammad) after Muhammad died.

supreme leader of Islam; literally means successor to Muhammad.

the main sect of Islam (80%); believed that the successor to Muhammad did not need to be a blood relative of the Prophet.