10 Questions
What was the most significant contribution of the Ancient Sumerian civilization?
Inventing the first writing system known as cuneiform
What geographical feature defined the location of Sumeria?
Being located between two rivers
Why was Mesopotamia referred to as the 'cradle of civilization'?
Because it was the first known civilization on Earth
What was the significance of Sumeria's mathematical concept of Base 60?
It formed the basis for the modern calendar system
Which technology allowed for faster cultivation of the land in Sumeria?
Hydraulic Engineering
How did the Sumerians impact future societies with their written language concept?
They developed a phonetic alphabet
What is one of the impacts of Sumeria on future societies mentioned in the text?
The development of a phonetic alphabet
What was the dominant presence of Sumer?
5000 BCE to 1750 BCE
What material was Sumerian architecture mainly formed from?
Mud-clay
What was the social hierarchy in Sumer characterized by?
A class system consisting of a king, priests, a council of elders, merchants, and slaves
Study Notes
- Sumer was the first civilization in the world, located in Mesopotamia in the area of present-day Iraq.
- Sumerians built great cities and invented tools and technologies still used today, with a dominant presence from 5000 BCE to 1750 BCE.
- City-states developed due to farming surpluses and the need to control farmland.
- Sumerians spread their culture throughout Mesopotamia, influencing cities like Ur, Uruk, and Eridu.
- City-states weakened due to conflict, leading to the Akkadian conquest in 2334 BCE, creating the first true empire.
- Sumerian culture was rich and influential, with a unique language (Sumerian) and the first written language (cuneiform).
- Sumerian architecture was formed from mud-clay, creating structures like ziggurats for both governmental and religious purposes.
- The social hierarchy was established, with a class system consisting of a king, priests, a council of elders, merchants, and slaves.
- Sumerian religion was polytheistic, with various gods related to nature and the jobs of the people.
- Temples were located at the top of ziggurats, housing priests who made offerings to the gods.
- The epic of Gilgamesh is a classic Sumerian story, considered the first written story in history.
Test your knowledge about the ancient Sumerian civilization, the first great civilization on Earth, located in Mesopotamia near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Learn about its city-states, writing system, and other significant achievements.
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