Homework 9 Crossword

2. A flat area of land next to a river that is prone to flooding. During periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt, rivers may overflow their banks and spread water, along with nutrient-rich silt, over the floodplain.
5. The belief in and worship of multiple gods and deities. Many ancient cultures, including those in Mesopotamia, practiced polytheism, attributing different aspects of life and nature to various gods.
6. Fine, fertile soil or sediment that is often carried by rivers and deposited along their banks or in floodplains. Silt is rich in nutrients, which makes it ideal for agriculture, helping crops grow well.
8. An ancient region located in the eastern Mediterranean, primarily in what is now Iraq and parts of Syria, Turkey, and Iran. Mesopotamia is often called the "Cradle of Civilization" because it is one of the earliest regions where urban centers and complex societies developed, thanks to the fertile land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
10. A male ruler who typically inherits the throne and has supreme authority over a territory or people. In ancient Mesopotamia, kings ruled city-states, directed armies, oversaw religious practices, and administered laws.
11. A complex society characterized by urban development, organized government, social structure, and cultural achievements like writing, art, and architecture. Civilizations often include organized religion, trade, and technological advancement.

1. Describing a climate or region that receives low to moderate rainfall, usually enough to support only sparse vegetation. Semiarid areas are often located between deserts and more humid regions, and they are prone to occasional droughts.
3. A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, which can lead to a shortage of water. Droughts can have serious effects on agriculture, water supplies, and ecosystems.
4. A massive, tiered structure built in ancient Mesopotamian cities as a temple complex dedicated to a god or goddess. Ziggurats were built in a step-like design with levels that rose upward, symbolizing a connection between earth and the divine.
6. An excess amount of something, particularly resources like food. In agriculture, a surplus occurs when the amount of food produced is greater than the amount needed by the population, allowing for storage, trade, and population growth.
7. An ancient civilization and region in southern Mesopotamia, often considered one of the world’s first civilizations. Sumerians developed some of the earliest forms of writing (cuneiform), built complex cities, and contributed significantly to mathematics, literature, and law.
9. An independent city that governs itself and its surrounding territory, functioning like a small, sovereign country. Each city-state has its own government and ruler and operates independently from other city-states.