The The SumeriansSumerians

MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Live in fertile Live in fertile valleysvalleys

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia means “between means “between the rivers”the rivers”

Tigris and Tigris and EuphratesEuphrates

Beginnings of SumerBeginnings of Sumer

Called “the black-headed people”Called “the black-headed people” Origins not entirely knownOrigins not entirely known Dominated Semitic-speaking Dominated Semitic-speaking

neighbors, leading to building of a neighbors, leading to building of a civilizationcivilization

City-StatesCity-States

World’s first civilizationWorld’s first civilization 3500 B.C.E – 2000 B.C.E3500 B.C.E – 2000 B.C.E 3000 B.C.E form large city-states 3000 B.C.E form large city-states

in southern Mesopotamiain southern Mesopotamia City-states: Kish, Nippur, Umma, City-states: Kish, Nippur, Umma,

Lagash, Uruk, and UrLagash, Uruk, and Ur

Sumerian ReligionSumerian Religion

PolytheisticPolytheistic Many gods controlled natural Many gods controlled natural

forcesforces Associated with astronomical Associated with astronomical

forcesforces

GodsGods

Gods suffered all ravages human Gods suffered all ravages human emotional and spiritual feelingsemotional and spiritual feelings

Believe that gods regret creation Believe that gods regret creation of human lifeof human life

A flood was sent to destroy A flood was sent to destroy creation (Noah’s Ark)creation (Noah’s Ark)

Gods Cont.Gods Cont.

Invented astrology to discover Invented astrology to discover what gods had in store for themwhat gods had in store for them

Examined organs of sacrificed Examined organs of sacrificed animals for secrets to the futureanimals for secrets to the future

Sumerian LawSumerian Law

Code of Hammurabi- reproduction Code of Hammurabi- reproduction of Sumerian lawof Sumerian law

Used law of lex talionisUsed law of lex talionis Had courts of lawHad courts of law Victim and/or victim’s family Victim and/or victim’s family

enforced the sentenceenforced the sentence Everyone wasn’t equal under the Everyone wasn’t equal under the

lawslaws

WritingWriting

First kept record First kept record using tokensusing tokens

Cuneiform invented Cuneiform invented in about 3000B.C.Ein about 3000B.C.E

Wrote with stylus on Wrote with stylus on clay tabletsclay tablets

550 wedged-shaped 550 wedged-shaped characterscharacters

Earliest known form Earliest known form of writingof writing

Math and ScienceMath and Science

Number system based on 60Number system based on 60 Developed basic algebra and Developed basic algebra and

geometrygeometry Invented calendars divided into Invented calendars divided into

12 months 12 months

City LayoutCity Layout

Cities were often Cities were often rectangular in rectangular in shapeshape

Surrounded by Surrounded by high, wide wallshigh, wide walls

Had broad Had broad avenuesavenues

Shop-lined Shop-lined streets that streets that made up bazaarmade up bazaar

BuildingsBuildings

Largest buildings Largest buildings were zigguratswere ziggurats

Each ziggurat had Each ziggurat had a shrine a shrine dedicated to a dedicated to a god or goddessgod or goddess

Rulers lived in Rulers lived in beautiful palacesbeautiful palaces

Common people Common people live in tiny houseslive in tiny houses

Economy and TradeEconomy and Trade

Traded by land Traded by land and boatand boat

Main exports Main exports included textilesincluded textiles

Sumerian Sumerian economy was economy was based on based on agricultureagriculture

Sumerian GovernmentSumerian Government

Developed one of Developed one of the world’s first the world’s first systems of systems of monarchymonarchy

First ruled by First ruled by priestspriests

Priests ruled Priests ruled through a series through a series of bureaucratsof bureaucrats

Sumerian ClassesSumerian Classes

Most people were Most people were farmersfarmers

Divided into 3 Divided into 3 classes: upper, classes: upper, middle, and lowermiddle, and lower

In Sumerian class In Sumerian class society, women society, women still had rights, still had rights, but were inferior but were inferior to mento men

The Fall of SumerThe Fall of Sumer

Sargon the Great led the Sargon the Great led the Akkadians and invaded and Akkadians and invaded and conquered Sumer in 2330 B.C.E.conquered Sumer in 2330 B.C.E.

Sumerians briefly regained Sumerians briefly regained controlcontrol

Amorites take over and Amorites take over and Hammurabi becomes the leader Hammurabi becomes the leader of Babylon in 1792 B.C.E.of Babylon in 1792 B.C.E.

Social InstitutionsSocial Institutions

City StatesCity States Social HierarchySocial Hierarchy Highest Classes: ruling family, Highest Classes: ruling family,

officials, high priestsofficials, high priests Middle Class- merchants, artisans, Middle Class- merchants, artisans,

lesser priests and scribeslesser priests and scribes

Social InstitutionsSocial Institutions

Lower Class- slaves Lower Class- slaves Peasant farmers made up Peasant farmers made up

majoritymajority Slaves- in debt citizens or Slaves- in debt citizens or

prisoners of warprisoners of war

Role of WomenRole of Women

In charge of householdIn charge of household

Legal rightsLegal rights

Borrowed and loaned moneyBorrowed and loaned money

Owned propertyOwned property

ReligionReligion

PolytheisticPolytheistic Believed it controlled natureBelieved it controlled nature Gods behaved like ordinary peopleGods behaved like ordinary people Highest role in society was to keep Highest role in society was to keep

gods happygods happy Made sacrificesMade sacrifices Celebrated holy daysCelebrated holy days Believed in afterlifeBelieved in afterlife

Cooperation and Cooperation and ConflictConflict Individual city states tried to dominate Individual city states tried to dominate

the regionthe region

The ages of empires beganThe ages of empires began

Sargon for Akkad created first empireSargon for Akkad created first empire

Sumer was the first known Sumer was the first known Mesopotamian SocietyMesopotamian Society

Individuals & HistoryIndividuals & History

Uruk Period Uruk Period Kings were mythological figures named Aluim and Kings were mythological figures named Aluim and

Dumizid. Dumizid. Kings ruled before the major flood. Kings ruled before the major flood.

Early Dynastic PeriodEarly Dynastic Period Includes legendary figures such as Enmerkar and Includes legendary figures such as Enmerkar and

Gilgamesh.Gilgamesh. Both figures ruled before the opening of historic Both figures ruled before the opening of historic

record in 2700 C.E. record in 2700 C.E. Earliest Dynastic king is Etana. Earliest Dynastic king is Etana. Etana was the 13Etana was the 13thth king of the first dynasty of Kish. king of the first dynasty of Kish. Etana was mentioned in the Etana was mentioned in the Gilgamesh epic. Gilgamesh epic.

Sumerian Decline Sumerian Decline

Major shift in southern Iraq towards the north. Major shift in southern Iraq towards the north. Agriculture was being compromised by Agriculture was being compromised by Soil Soil

salinity. salinity. Soil SalinitySoil Salinity- slat content in the soil. - slat content in the soil. Agricultural yields reduced severely. Agricultural yields reduced severely. Shifted from wheat to barley.Shifted from wheat to barley. Barley was not sufficient, population declined Barley was not sufficient, population declined

by 3/5ths.by 3/5ths. Balance of power was weakened. Balance of power was weakened. Sumer eventually only became a language.Sumer eventually only became a language.

City StatesCity States

Sumer was divided into 12 city-states. Sumer was divided into 12 city-states. Limits were defined by canals & boundary stones. Limits were defined by canals & boundary stones. Each city state was centered around a temple Each city state was centered around a temple

dedicated to a particular god or goddess. dedicated to a particular god or goddess. Ruled by a “priestly governor” (ensi) or a king Ruled by a “priestly governor” (ensi) or a king

(lugal) (lugal) First 5 City StatesFirst 5 City States 1. Eridu 1. Eridu 2. Bad-tibira 2. Bad-tibira 3. Larsa 3. Larsa 4. Sippar4. Sippar5. Shuruppak 5. Shuruppak

Cultural Development Cultural Development

Sumerians invented picture-Sumerians invented picture-hieroglyphs hieroglyphs

Later it developed into a new writing Later it developed into a new writing system called cuneiform.system called cuneiform.

Thousands of texts from the Sumerian Thousands of texts from the Sumerian language have survived-clay tablets.language have survived-clay tablets.

Cultural Development Cultural Development

Sumer was a Polytheistic society-believed in more Sumer was a Polytheistic society-believed in more than one God. than one God.

Sumerian temples were called ZigguratsSumerian temples were called Ziggurats

Ziggurats were used for sacrifice and praise.Ziggurats were used for sacrifice and praise.

Sumerian agriculture depended heavily on irrigation.Sumerian agriculture depended heavily on irrigation.

Some examples of their crops include: barely, lentils, Some examples of their crops include: barely, lentils, wheat, & lettuce.wheat, & lettuce.

They also raised cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats.They also raised cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats.

Technology & History Technology & History

• Invented many important inventions:Invented many important inventions:• The wheelThe wheel

• Cuneiform Cuneiform

• Arithmetic Arithmetic

• Geometry Geometry

• IrrigationIrrigation

• Important tools (ex. hammers, nails, hoes)Important tools (ex. hammers, nails, hoes)

• Sandals Sandals

• HarpoonsHarpoons

Technology & History Technology & History

Reasons inventions were important:Reasons inventions were important:– Created new methods for food creation Created new methods for food creation

and farming. and farming. – Helped in the process of capturing Helped in the process of capturing

animals and hunting. animals and hunting. – The lunisolar calendar helped predict The lunisolar calendar helped predict

droughts and floods. droughts and floods. Inventions created have impacted Inventions created have impacted

our world for centuries. our world for centuries.

Human Environment Human Environment InteractionsInteractions

They had to adapt to their They had to adapt to their surroundings surroundings

EX. Fertile land + Tigris and Euphrates EX. Fertile land + Tigris and Euphrates river led them to start farming and river led them to start farming and create an irrigation systemcreate an irrigation system

Impact of Ideas Impact of Ideas

Cuneiform Writing- Cuneiform Writing- involved over 550 involved over 550 wedge shaped symbolswedge shaped symbols

System of Numbers- System of Numbers- developed a number developed a number system based on the unit 60. divided the hour into 60 minutes system based on the unit 60. divided the hour into 60 minutes and the circle into 360 degreesand the circle into 360 degrees

Astronomy- Astronomy- accurate calendars, which accurate calendars, which are essential to a farming societyare essential to a farming society

Wheel- Wheel- used first on things such as used first on things such as plows plows

Irrigation- method used in farming still Irrigation- method used in farming still used todayused today

Government Government

For protection, people turned to courageous and For protection, people turned to courageous and resourceful war leaders. Over time, these war resourceful war leaders. Over time, these war leaders evolved into hereditary rulers.leaders evolved into hereditary rulers.

Each city-state, the ruler was responsible for Each city-state, the ruler was responsible for maintaining the city walls and the irrigation maintaining the city walls and the irrigation systems,leading armies in war, and enforcing the systems,leading armies in war, and enforcing the laws.laws.

As government grew more complex, he As government grew more complex, he employed scribes to carry out functions such as employed scribes to carry out functions such as collecting taxes and keeping records. collecting taxes and keeping records.

The ruler also had religious duties. He was seen The ruler also had religious duties. He was seen as the chief servant of the gods and led as the chief servant of the gods and led ceremonies designed to please them.ceremonies designed to please them.

Sumerian Fun FactsSumerian Fun Facts

Sumer was the first civilization on the Sumer was the first civilization on the Fertile Crescent.Fertile Crescent.

There is a very high chance that you There is a very high chance that you

will use a Sumerian invention every will use a Sumerian invention every day. day.

Sumerians called themselves Sumerians called themselves sag-gi-ga sag-gi-ga meaning “the black headed people” meaning “the black headed people”

Basic FactsBasic Facts Located in Located in

southern southern MesopotamiaMesopotamia

Civilization Civilization rose around rose around 3000 BCE3000 BCE

Population: Population: 100,000100,000

Kings ListKings List

List of rulers of Ancient SumerList of rulers of Ancient Sumer 16 copies16 copies Late third millenniumLate third millennium Identical to the Eridu GenesisIdentical to the Eridu Genesis Total of 11 royal citiesTotal of 11 royal cities 134 Kings134 Kings 28,876+N years, N months, and N 28,876+N years, N months, and N

days days

Kings ListKings List Some rulers includeSome rulers include

Alulim: ruled for 28,800 years Alulim: ruled for 28,800 years in Eriduin Eridu

Enmen-lu-ana: ruled for Enmen-lu-ana: ruled for 43,200 years in Bad-tioira43,200 years in Bad-tioira

En-sipad-zid-aa: ruled for En-sipad-zid-aa: ruled for 28,800 years in Larak28,800 years in Larak

Enmen-dur-ana: ruled for Enmen-dur-ana: ruled for 21,000 years in Sippar21,000 years in Sippar

Ubara-Tutu: ruled for 18,600 Ubara-Tutu: ruled for 18,600 years in Suruppak years in Suruppak

GodsGods

Nine GodsNine Gods Responsible for the unknownResponsible for the unknown Every city-state had their own Every city-state had their own

godgod Lived in ZigguratLived in Ziggurat

GodsGods

They wereThey were Nammu: goddess of the primeval seaNammu: goddess of the primeval sea An: god of heavensAn: god of heavens Ki: goddess of the earthKi: goddess of the earth Enlil: god of air and stormsEnlil: god of air and storms Utu: sun godUtu: sun god Ninhursag: mother earthNinhursag: mother earth Enki: god of water and wisdomEnki: god of water and wisdom Inanna: goddess of love and warInanna: goddess of love and war Ereshkigal: godess of darkness, gloom, and Ereshkigal: godess of darkness, gloom, and

deathdeath

BeliefsBeliefs

Called space the “great domed Called space the “great domed roof”roof”

Thought it contained the sky, Thought it contained the sky, stars, moon, and sunstars, moon, and sun

Sun lighted cities beneathSun lighted cities beneath

BeliefsBeliefs

Netherworld=Underworld Netherworld=Underworld Netherworld was underneath Netherworld was underneath

EarthEarth Were demons and the kingdom of Were demons and the kingdom of

deaddead

EconomyEconomy Relied on agriculture Relied on agriculture

and tradeand trade Sumer was irrigated Sumer was irrigated

by canals & dams, by canals & dams, which watered the which watered the fields to grow cropsfields to grow crops

Traded the crops Traded the crops and textiles they and textiles they made with other made with other peoplepeople– Mainly Asia-Minor and Mainly Asia-Minor and

IranIran

EconomyEconomy

When they traded, they received:When they traded, they received:– StoneStone– MetalMetal– TimbersTimbers

Brought back goods to SumerBrought back goods to Sumer– Used goods to make items of their Used goods to make items of their

own for tradeown for trade– Trade it with others groupsTrade it with others groups

CuneiformCuneiform Cuneiform: Latin for Cuneiform: Latin for

“wedged shaped”“wedged shaped” Earliest known Earliest known

invention of writinginvention of writing Stylus: triangle-Stylus: triangle-

shaped; made shaped; made imprints in clayimprints in clay

used:used:– Keep records of Keep records of

businesses, taxation, businesses, taxation, and production and production figuresfigures

– Epics, myths, essays, Epics, myths, essays, poetry, and poetry, and education textseducation texts

JobsJobs

Pottery makers, stone cutters, Pottery makers, stone cutters, bricklayers, metal smiths, bricklayers, metal smiths, farmers, fishers, shepherds, farmers, fishers, shepherds, weavers, leather workers, sailorsweavers, leather workers, sailors

InventionsInventions

WheelWheel IronIron EngravingEngraving Bleaching/dyingBleaching/dying

HomesHomes Huts from Huts from

bundles of bundles of reedsreeds

Built by sun-Built by sun-baked bricksbaked bricks

Had shortage Had shortage of stoneof stone

MathematicsMathematics

Had first known math system Had first known math system called “sexagesimal”called “sexagesimal”– 360 degree circle360 degree circle– 12-inch foot12-inch foot– A dozenA dozen– 12 month calender12 month calender

MetalMetal

Started the age of metalStarted the age of metal Learned to melt & mold itLearned to melt & mold it Used for weaponry and toolsUsed for weaponry and tools

MedicineMedicine

Started to use medicinesStarted to use medicines Had earliest surgeons & doctorsHad earliest surgeons & doctors

Symbols for Sumerian medicine

BoatsBoats

Made some of the first boatsMade some of the first boats– Skin boatsSkin boats– Sail boatsSail boats– Wooden oar boatsWooden oar boats

Used for easy transportationUsed for easy transportation– PeoplePeople– GoodsGoods– cattlecattle

ToolsTools sawssaws ChiselsChisels HammerHammer

ss BracesBraces BitsBits NailsNails RingsRings HoesHoes

• Axes• Knives• Arrows• Swords• Glue• Daggers• armors

• Water skins

• Bags• Harnesses• Harpoons• Quivers• scabbards

ConstellationsConstellations

Many were mapped by the Many were mapped by the SumeriansSumerians

Social ClassesSocial Classes

In Sumer there In Sumer there were three were three different social different social classes. classes.

The Upper class The Upper class consists of consists of nobles, priests, nobles, priests, and government and government officials.officials.

Merchants , Merchants , traders and traders and artisans made up artisans made up the middle class, the middle class, Freeman ClassFreeman Class

The Lowest class The Lowest class were slaves. were slaves.

EducationEducation

Sumerians studied Sumerians studied literacy , botany, literacy , botany, zoology, zoology, mathematics and mathematics and geologygeology

An education was An education was open to any one open to any one who could afford it, who could afford it, boys or girls. boys or girls.

Many students went Many students went through school to through school to become scribes, become scribes, record keepers. record keepers.

A scribe’s work

Architecture Architecture

Sumerians used Sumerians used adobe bricks for adobe bricks for the houses and the houses and buildings. buildings.

Ziggurats, Ziggurats, religious temples, religious temples, are some of the are some of the most famous most famous architecture in architecture in Sumer. Sumer.

ClothingClothing

Sumerians used Sumerians used wool and flax for wool and flax for clothingclothing

Men usually wore Men usually wore a skirt tied a skirt tied around their around their waist and women waist and women wore long gowns. wore long gowns.

Wealthy Wealthy Sumerians wore Sumerians wore bright colors and bright colors and expensive expensive materials. materials.

Both men and Both men and women wore women wore necklaces and necklaces and earrings during earrings during celebrations.celebrations.

BibliographyBibliography

Ancient Mesopotamia: Sumer Clothing. 11/12/08. Ancient Ancient Mesopotamia: Sumer Clothing. 11/12/08. Ancient Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia. www.shrewsbury-<ma.gov/schools/central/curriculum/ELEMENTARY/SOCIALSTUDIES/.../ancient -mesopotami.htm> >

Jones, Tom B. Sumerian Economy. Unknown. November Jones, Tom B. Sumerian Economy. Unknown. November 9, 2008. <9, 2008. <http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/middle_east/sumer_economy.html>>

Jones, Tom B. Sumerian Religion. Unknown. November 9, Jones, Tom B. Sumerian Religion. Unknown. November 9, 2008. <2008. <http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/middle_east/sumer_religion.html>>

Lendering, Jona. Sumerian King List. May 10, 2007. Lendering, Jona. Sumerian King List. May 10, 2007. November 13, 2008. November 13, 2008. http://www.livius.org/k/kingslist/sumerian.html

BibliographyBibliography

Sienkewicz, Thomas J. Sienkewicz, Thomas J. The Encyclopedia of the Ancient WorldThe Encyclopedia of the Ancient World. Pasedina, . Pasedina, California: Salem Press, Inc. 2002California: Salem Press, Inc. 2002

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Sumerian Science. 11/12/08. Crystalinks. <Sumerian Science. 11/12/08. Crystalinks. <http://www.crystalinks.com/sumerscience.html>>

Sumerian Social Classes. 11/12/08. Crystalinks. Sumerian Social Classes. 11/12/08. Crystalinks. <www.crystalinks.com/sumersocialsystem.html><www.crystalinks.com/sumersocialsystem.html>

Unknown. Sumerian Economy and Trade. Unknown. November 9, 2008. Unknown. Sumerian Economy and Trade. Unknown. November 9, 2008. <http://crystalinks.com/sumereconomy.html><http://crystalinks.com/sumereconomy.html>

Unknown. Sumerian Social Classes. June 5, 2008. November 12, 2008. Unknown. Sumerian Social Classes. June 5, 2008. November 12, 2008. http://frombaghdadtonewyork.com/thecradleofcivilization/sumeriansocialhttp://frombaghdadtonewyork.com/thecradleofcivilization/sumeriansocialclassesclasses

Unknown. The Sumerian Civilization Part 2. Unknown. November 13, 2008. Unknown. The Sumerian Civilization Part 2. Unknown. November 13, 2008. <http://www.strayreality.com/Lanis_Strayreality/sumerian_civilization<http://www.strayreality.com/Lanis_Strayreality/sumerian_civilization%202.htm>%202.htm>

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http://lexicorient.com/e.o/sumer.htmhttp://lexicorient.com/e.o/sumer.htm http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/http://www.wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/

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ancientCivilizations/ancientCivilizations/Middle_East_Civilizations/SumerianMiddle_East_Civilizations/Sumerian

Class notes by Mr. AldworthClass notes by Mr. Aldworth