Chapter Two: The Fertile Crescent

Parchment

Hammurabi: the king of Babylon from about 1792 to 1750n B.C; creator of the Babylonian Empire Cuneiform: groups of wedges and lines used to write several languages of the Fertile Crescent Alphabet: a set of symbols that represent the sounds of a language

Exile: to force someone to live in another country Covenant: a binding agreement

Myth: a traditional story; in some cultures, a legend that explains people's beliefs Empire: many territories and peoples controlled by one government Babylon: the capital of Babylonia; a city of great wealth and luxury Caravan: a group of travelers journeying together

Bazaar: a market selling different kinds of goods Zoroastrianism: A religion that developed in ancient Persia Code: organized list of laws and rules

Moses: an Israelite leader whom the Torah credits with leading the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan

Monotheism: the belief in one god Famine: a time when there is so little food that many people starve

Scribe: A professional writer Fertile Crescent: A region in Southwest Asia; site of the first civilizations City-State: a city that is also a separate, independent state Polytheism: the belief in many gods

Chapter Two: The Fertile Crescent

Prophet: a religious teacher who is regarded as someone who speaks for God or for a god Diaspora: the scattering of people who have a common background or beliefs