Ancient SumerAncient Sumer

DiscoveryDiscovery ‘‘Tells’ are found in the desert of IraqTells’ are found in the desert of Iraq

Even after their discovery, Sumer is still considered Even after their discovery, Sumer is still considered to be a legendary, not actual, place.to be a legendary, not actual, place.

1800s – Archaeology is still not very scientific: 1800s – Archaeology is still not very scientific: dig a hole in the ground and look for treasures.dig a hole in the ground and look for treasures. A lot of precious artefacts are likely thrown out in the A lot of precious artefacts are likely thrown out in the

dirtdirt 1900s – Archaeology becomes much more 1900s – Archaeology becomes much more

scientificscientific Sir Leonard Wooley becomes famous for his Sir Leonard Wooley becomes famous for his

excavations at Ur, an ancient Sumerian city-state.excavations at Ur, an ancient Sumerian city-state. Digging down into the depths of the tell, he hit a layer of silt Digging down into the depths of the tell, he hit a layer of silt

9 to 12 feet deep, indicating a major flood. 9 to 12 feet deep, indicating a major flood.

Sumerian City-StatesSumerian City-States

By 4000 BCE, populations were growing By 4000 BCE, populations were growing and villages became towns. By 3500 and villages became towns. By 3500 BCE, these towns had grown into cities.BCE, these towns had grown into cities. Such as Ur, Kish, Lagash, and Uruk (Erech)Such as Ur, Kish, Lagash, and Uruk (Erech)

Whenever open warfare broke out, a Whenever open warfare broke out, a city’s council of elders would elect a city’s council of elders would elect a “lugal” (meaning ‘great man’ or ‘big man’) “lugal” (meaning ‘great man’ or ‘big man’) who would have absolute power.who would have absolute power.

The first EmpireThe first Empire

Around 2340 BCE, Sargon, in legend a Around 2340 BCE, Sargon, in legend a gardener’s son, became the leader of Kish, gardener’s son, became the leader of Kish, and went on to conquer a number of other city-and went on to conquer a number of other city-states.states. This first empire was centered in the city of Akkad, This first empire was centered in the city of Akkad,

and the language of the empire was Akkadian.and the language of the empire was Akkadian. Later, his descendents were overthrown because of Later, his descendents were overthrown because of

discontent and the city-state of Ur in the South discontent and the city-state of Ur in the South became the most powerful city in the region.became the most powerful city in the region.

Religion and GovernmentReligion and Government These two components are inextricably tiedThese two components are inextricably tied

Kings were careful to link themselves to all facets of their Kings were careful to link themselves to all facets of their land’s religion and would turn to temple priests and councils of land’s religion and would turn to temple priests and councils of elders for advice.elders for advice.

Sumerians believed in as many as 3000 to 4000 gods Sumerians believed in as many as 3000 to 4000 gods (polytheism). (polytheism). Of those, 4 were superior to the others – the gods of heaven, Of those, 4 were superior to the others – the gods of heaven,

air, and water, and the goddess of earth.air, and water, and the goddess of earth. To honour these deities, the Sumerians built many To honour these deities, the Sumerians built many

temples and shrines. The grandest of these temples temples and shrines. The grandest of these temples were known as ziggurats (“mountain of god”)were known as ziggurats (“mountain of god”)

The Kings maintained their high status in society by The Kings maintained their high status in society by being the ones who are responsible for looking after being the ones who are responsible for looking after the temples.the temples. This is in addition to being the one primarily responsible for the This is in addition to being the one primarily responsible for the

city’s defense, maintenance of city walls, raising of an army, city’s defense, maintenance of city walls, raising of an army, and expansion of territory.and expansion of territory.

Society and the EconomySociety and the Economy The economy of Sumer is based in agriculture.The economy of Sumer is based in agriculture.

Wheat, barley, and sheep (for wool) are the most importantWheat, barley, and sheep (for wool) are the most important Society is broken into:Society is broken into:

(1) the ruling class which includes the most powerful families(1) the ruling class which includes the most powerful families From these we get the priests, officials, and advisorsFrom these we get the priests, officials, and advisors

(2) The commoners(2) The commoners Most of whom are farmers; others are workers, artisans (craft-Most of whom are farmers; others are workers, artisans (craft-

workers), traders, and lesser officialsworkers), traders, and lesser officials (3) Slaves(3) Slaves

These slaves did have rights – they could own land, marry free These slaves did have rights – they could own land, marry free people, work for money (if they had time), and buy their freedom.people, work for money (if they had time), and buy their freedom.

Trade is the second most important activity after farming Trade is the second most important activity after farming – it is trade that gives the cities in the region their wealth – it is trade that gives the cities in the region their wealth and influence.and influence. Grain, wool, and manufactured articles are sold to neighboring Grain, wool, and manufactured articles are sold to neighboring

peoples for timber, ivory, and metals (all of which Sumer lacked).peoples for timber, ivory, and metals (all of which Sumer lacked).

WritingWriting

Sometime between 3500 and 3000 BCE, Sometime between 3500 and 3000 BCE, writing developed in Mesopotamia.writing developed in Mesopotamia. First, written matters were simple mattersFirst, written matters were simple matters

Property ownership, lists of goods, etc.Property ownership, lists of goods, etc.

Gradually, Sumerian writing evolved into a tool to Gradually, Sumerian writing evolved into a tool to communicate not only business contracts and tax or communicate not only business contracts and tax or military records, but also religious ideas, laws of military records, but also religious ideas, laws of astronomy, mathematics, and poetry.astronomy, mathematics, and poetry. Sumerian writing is known as cuneiform (Latin for “wedge Sumerian writing is known as cuneiform (Latin for “wedge

shaped”shaped”

Other Sumerian AchievementsOther Sumerian Achievements

Tools of farming – irrigation, the pickax and the plowTools of farming – irrigation, the pickax and the plow Tools for religion (tracking the celestial bodies) – Tools for religion (tracking the celestial bodies) –

phases of the moon, the equinoxes, and a 12 month phases of the moon, the equinoxes, and a 12 month calendarcalendar

Tools for math – their numerical system based on the Tools for math – their numerical system based on the number sixty (60) divided the circle into 360number sixty (60) divided the circle into 360°°

Tools for telling time – 60 is also how we, today, break Tools for telling time – 60 is also how we, today, break down our minutes and seconds.down our minutes and seconds.

The may have also devised the first wheel around 3500 The may have also devised the first wheel around 3500 BCE – what came first, the pottery wheel or the cart BCE – what came first, the pottery wheel or the cart wheel, we may never know. Both gave Sumerians a wheel, we may never know. Both gave Sumerians a strong trade advantage for some time.strong trade advantage for some time.