Sumerian Civilization

by Cyrus Seyrafi

Overview of Sumerians● their land, “Sumer,” is sometimes considered the,

“cradle of civilization”● they called themselves, “the black-headed people”● they had a polytheistic religion - they believed in

many gods● they are credited with the creation of the world’s

first writing system● they had invented the following by 3600 B.C.

○ the wheel and axle○ irrigation○ concept of city

Sumerian King List

● cuneiform document● written during the Third Dynasty

of Ur● lists many of the kings of the region

(Sumer) and their accomplishments● created to legitimize the reign of

Utu-Hengal of Uruk● King Etana of Kish was the first

one recorded on the list○ he later became famous for superhero

feats and heroism

Ubaid Period ~ c. 5000-4100 B.C.● the first people in Sumer, before the Sumerians,

were the Ubaid● they were hunter-gatherers● the first evidence of their existence was discovered

at Al-Ubaid● at Al-Ubaid, archaeologists

have found…○ stone tools○ sickles○ bricks○ painted pottery○ figurines

Uruk Period ~ c. 4100-2900 B.C. ● cities began to emerge across Sumer● the first city, Uruk rises in prominence● cities begin to trade with foreign lands● write begins to evolve

○ first to pictograms○ then to cuneiform

● kingship began to rise○ cities were ruled by a priest-king called an

ensi○ the ensi was aided in decisions by a council of

elders○ the council of elders was made up of both

men and women

Early Dynastic Period ~ c. 2900-2334 B.C.

● the rule of the cities shifted from ensis to lugals (more like modern “kings”)○ “lugal” translates to “big man”

● the cities of Sumer fought one another for land and water rights

● In 2500 B.C...○ Lagash began to rise under king

Eannatum○ Lagash grew to an empire that contained

most of Sumer and parts of Elam

Akkadian Empire ~ c. 2334-2218 B.C.● King Sargon I

○ Sargon of Kish, killed the king of Kish after the he tried to have him killed

○ he became king of Kish○ with control of the Kish armies, he attacked Uruk, Ur, etc.

creating his own empire● first multi-national empire in the world● ruled over most of

Mesopotamia● Unified Sumerian

city-states

Gutian Period ~ c. 2218-2047 B.C.

● began when Gutians invaded Akkadia from the north and destroyed the major cities

● the Akkadian Empire collapsed

● the, “Dark Age,” of Sumerian history

● some Sumerian writers considered the Gutians punishments from the gods

Ur III Period ~ c. 2047-1940 B.C.● named for the Third Dynasty of Ur● sometimes called, “the Sumerian Renaissance”● there were many advances in Sumerian

culture○ Sumerian sexigesimal system

■ 60 seconds in a minute■ 60 minutes in an hour■ Night and Day - 12 hours

○ King Ur-Nammu made the first legal system○ King Shulgi was considered the greatest neo-

sumerian king■ he ran 100 miles between Nippur and Ur over and

over again to conduct festivals in both cities

King Shulgi

Fall of Sumerian Civilization ~c. 1940-1720 B.C.

● During King Shulgi’s reign, a wall was built to keep out barbarians from Elam (Amorites, etc.)

● In c. 1940 B.C. the Amorites breached the wall, marched on Ur, and carried off the king

● Sumer fell into famine, due to overuse of land and the settling Amorites

● In c. 1720 B.C. the forces of the Amorite city of Babylon marched on Sumer, and the last king of Sumer faced defeat.

● Sumer became part of the Babylonian empire

Works Cited

"The Decline and Fall of Sumer." Skwirk Online

Education. Red Apple Education Limited, n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.

Mark, Joshua J. "Sumer." Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited, 21 Apr. 2011. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.