Sumerian Civilization

Sumerian Civilization: The Basics

• Where: Middle East, modern-day Iraq• When: around 3300 BC• What: One of the River Valley civilizations• Famous for: being the first civilization, Epic of

Gilgamesh, cuneiform, ziggurats, and developing astronomy and mathematics

Mesopotamia

• Mesopotamia is part of a larger area called the Fertile Crescent

• “Mesopotamia” literally means “land between the rivers”

• Rivers: Tigris and Euphrates• These rivers made the land very rich and good

for farming

Controlling the Water

• The Tigris and Euphrates flooded regularly, which the people had to plan for and control for their survival

• During the dry season, irrigation systems had to be set up to bring water to the fields

• Officials organized projects to build ditches and dikes for the water

• The Epic of Gilgamesh told of a worldwide flood, so we know floods were part of their lives

Sumerian Cities

• Mesopotamia lacked natural resources like timber (wood) or stone to build with, so buildings were made of clay (bricks)

• Two great cities of Sumer were Ur and Uruk• Trade with other areas helped make Sumerian

cities rich– The rivers were used for trade– Sumerians used wheeled vehicles to travel across land– Some travelled as far away as Egypt and India!

City-States• 12 separate city-states made up Sumer• People were loyal to their city-state and fought

with other city-states for control of land and water• War leaders offered protection; hereditary role• Responsibilities of the Ruler of each City-State:– Maintain city walls and irrigation systems– Led armies in war– Enforce laws– Employed scribes to collect taxes and keep records– Chief servant of the gods and led religious ceremonies

Social Hierarchy in Sumer

Rulers, officials, & high priests

Lesser priests, scribes, merchants, & artisans

Peasant farmers & slaves

Religion• Polytheistic (worship many gods)• Believed gods…– controlled every aspect of life, especially the forces of nature

(like the floods)– had families, ate, partied, etc. like ordinary people– favored truth and justice– Could cause violence and suffering

• Built ziggurats (large buildings)– Dedicated them to gods and goddesses– Used them to celebrate holy days

• Believed in a depressing afterlife

Writing

• Earliest known writing was invented by Sumerians in 3200 BC

• Later called cuneiform, which means “wedge”• Used pictographs to represent goods brought to the

store and then later individual sounds (so that words and complex thoughts could be written)

• It was difficult to learn the writing, but it paid off… through money, status, and education

Cuneiform Alphabet

Lasting Legacy

• Conquering civilizations that came into Mesopotamia (Sumer replaced by 1900 BC) adopted and expanded upon many Sumerian ideas

• Cuneiform spread throughout the Middle East• Began telling the story The Epic of Gilgamesh• Developed astronomy: studied constellations and the

movements of planets and stars• Developed math: – established a number system based on 6 – divided the hour into 60 minutes– Divided the circle into 360 degrees