CLEP Western Civilization 1 Exam (2026-2027
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it 100% Correct Answers / Already Graded A+
The Fertile Crescent
An area of river valleys in the Near East where conditions are
optimum for crop production.
The Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)
The age in which humans lived as nomads in small communities,
hunting and gathering fruits for food and using fire and crude stone
implements.
The Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)
The age in which stone tools were refined, animals were
domesticated, and agriculture was developed as people
transitioned from a nomadic to a more settled way of life.
The Bronze Age
The age in which cities were developed, and tools were
increasingly made out of metal alloys rather than stone. Irrigation
and writing began to be developed during this time.
Sumer (Mesopotamia)
The area within the Tigris-Euphrates river valley.
Akkadians
A semi-nomadic people, who spoke a Semitic language. Migrated
from the deserts west of Mesopotamia and settled in the Tigris-
Euphrates valley during the 4th millennium B.C.E.
King Sargon
,An Akkadian king (2371-2316 B.C.E., approximate) who led the
Akkadians in conquering Sumerian city-states. Established an
empire that unified Mesopotamia and reached beyond it into the
Iranian plateau and as far west as Lebanon. His dynasty ruled
Akkad and Sumer for about 200 years.
The Third Dynasty of Ur
Around 2100 B.C.E., the Sumerian city of Ur rose up in revolt
against the Akkadian rule. The attained control of Mesopotamia and
ruled for about 100 years.
Amorites
Re-unified Mesopotamia, and established their capital at Babylon,
on the Euphrates. The Amorites (Old Babylonian Dynasty) ruled for
about 300 years, from around 1900-1600 B.C.E.
Hammurabi
(1792-1750 B.C.E., approximate) The greatest king of the Old
Babylonian Dynasty. Famous for his law code. Claimed to be a
representative of the gods.
Hammurabi's Code
A law code that attempted to stabilize the hierarchical society.
Presented like a pyramid: the slaves at the bottom, freemen such
as peasants and merchants next, warrior aristocracy and
priesthood, and the king at the top. Known for, "An eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth." Dealt with legislation regarding the family,
ownership of land, and commercial transactions.
Hittites
From Anatolia (Asia Minor). Attacked the Old Babylonian Empire
around 1600 B.C.E. and plundered them.
Kassites
From the region that is now Iran. Attacked the Old Babylonian
Empire around 1600 B.C.E. and established themselves as rulers
for 300 years.
Hurrians
Established the kingdom of Mitanni in the upper Tigris-Euphrates
valley around 1500 B.C.E. which lasted for 100 years, until they
were conquered by the Hittites.
Cuneiform
, The earliest form of writing, made by wedge-shaped marks
impressed on clay tables using a stylus. Initially pictographs
(representing objects), but later included ideograms (representing
ideas). Began around 3000 B.C.E.
Ziggurats
Multi-level, pyramid-like constructions by the people of
Mesopotamia. Demonstrate practical engineering skills.
Gilgamesh
A Sumerian epic poem inscribed around 2000 B.C.E. on twelve
cuneiform tablets. Describes the quest of the hero Gilgamesh, king
of Uruk, in search of immortality. Includes an account of a great
flood.
Enuma Elish
A Sumerian epic poem describing the story of creation.
The Egyptian Archaic Period
The first two dynasties of Egypt governed from about 3100-2700
B.C.E. Unified the Nile Valley. Under centralized government, the
economy was carefully planned and agriculture was efficient.
The Old Kingdom
The Old Kingdom in Egypt lasted from about 2700-2200 B.C.E.,
during the 3rd to the 6th dynasties, when the power of the
pharaohs was supreme. Pharaohs were viewed as gods. The
greatest pyramids were constructed at this time, particularly during
the 4th dynasty. The belief in an afterlife for the pharaohs led to the
practice of embalming, or mummification.
The First Intermediate Period
From about 2200-2050 B.C.E., the pharaohs in Egypt failed to assert
their power effectively, and in this way the nobles gained control of
the government. The decentralization of power led to civil wars
between the nobles, or "nomarchs," and to the lack of coordination
in agriculture which resulted in widespread famine.
The Middle Kingdom
From about 2050-1700 B.C.E., centralized government was restored
in Egypt under the 11th and 12th dynasties. However, the period of
stability ended when foreigners, known as the Hyksos, invaded the
Nile Delta and conquered the Egyptian army.
Most Recent Version) with Comprehensive
Questions and Well-Detailed Solutions / Get
it 100% Correct Answers / Already Graded A+
The Fertile Crescent
An area of river valleys in the Near East where conditions are
optimum for crop production.
The Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age)
The age in which humans lived as nomads in small communities,
hunting and gathering fruits for food and using fire and crude stone
implements.
The Neolithic Age (New Stone Age)
The age in which stone tools were refined, animals were
domesticated, and agriculture was developed as people
transitioned from a nomadic to a more settled way of life.
The Bronze Age
The age in which cities were developed, and tools were
increasingly made out of metal alloys rather than stone. Irrigation
and writing began to be developed during this time.
Sumer (Mesopotamia)
The area within the Tigris-Euphrates river valley.
Akkadians
A semi-nomadic people, who spoke a Semitic language. Migrated
from the deserts west of Mesopotamia and settled in the Tigris-
Euphrates valley during the 4th millennium B.C.E.
King Sargon
,An Akkadian king (2371-2316 B.C.E., approximate) who led the
Akkadians in conquering Sumerian city-states. Established an
empire that unified Mesopotamia and reached beyond it into the
Iranian plateau and as far west as Lebanon. His dynasty ruled
Akkad and Sumer for about 200 years.
The Third Dynasty of Ur
Around 2100 B.C.E., the Sumerian city of Ur rose up in revolt
against the Akkadian rule. The attained control of Mesopotamia and
ruled for about 100 years.
Amorites
Re-unified Mesopotamia, and established their capital at Babylon,
on the Euphrates. The Amorites (Old Babylonian Dynasty) ruled for
about 300 years, from around 1900-1600 B.C.E.
Hammurabi
(1792-1750 B.C.E., approximate) The greatest king of the Old
Babylonian Dynasty. Famous for his law code. Claimed to be a
representative of the gods.
Hammurabi's Code
A law code that attempted to stabilize the hierarchical society.
Presented like a pyramid: the slaves at the bottom, freemen such
as peasants and merchants next, warrior aristocracy and
priesthood, and the king at the top. Known for, "An eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth." Dealt with legislation regarding the family,
ownership of land, and commercial transactions.
Hittites
From Anatolia (Asia Minor). Attacked the Old Babylonian Empire
around 1600 B.C.E. and plundered them.
Kassites
From the region that is now Iran. Attacked the Old Babylonian
Empire around 1600 B.C.E. and established themselves as rulers
for 300 years.
Hurrians
Established the kingdom of Mitanni in the upper Tigris-Euphrates
valley around 1500 B.C.E. which lasted for 100 years, until they
were conquered by the Hittites.
Cuneiform
, The earliest form of writing, made by wedge-shaped marks
impressed on clay tables using a stylus. Initially pictographs
(representing objects), but later included ideograms (representing
ideas). Began around 3000 B.C.E.
Ziggurats
Multi-level, pyramid-like constructions by the people of
Mesopotamia. Demonstrate practical engineering skills.
Gilgamesh
A Sumerian epic poem inscribed around 2000 B.C.E. on twelve
cuneiform tablets. Describes the quest of the hero Gilgamesh, king
of Uruk, in search of immortality. Includes an account of a great
flood.
Enuma Elish
A Sumerian epic poem describing the story of creation.
The Egyptian Archaic Period
The first two dynasties of Egypt governed from about 3100-2700
B.C.E. Unified the Nile Valley. Under centralized government, the
economy was carefully planned and agriculture was efficient.
The Old Kingdom
The Old Kingdom in Egypt lasted from about 2700-2200 B.C.E.,
during the 3rd to the 6th dynasties, when the power of the
pharaohs was supreme. Pharaohs were viewed as gods. The
greatest pyramids were constructed at this time, particularly during
the 4th dynasty. The belief in an afterlife for the pharaohs led to the
practice of embalming, or mummification.
The First Intermediate Period
From about 2200-2050 B.C.E., the pharaohs in Egypt failed to assert
their power effectively, and in this way the nobles gained control of
the government. The decentralization of power led to civil wars
between the nobles, or "nomarchs," and to the lack of coordination
in agriculture which resulted in widespread famine.
The Middle Kingdom
From about 2050-1700 B.C.E., centralized government was restored
in Egypt under the 11th and 12th dynasties. However, the period of
stability ended when foreigners, known as the Hyksos, invaded the
Nile Delta and conquered the Egyptian army.
