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Questions and Answers
What is a city-state?
What is a city-state?
A state with political and economic control over the surrounding countryside.
Which city is considered the first true city in the world?
Which city is considered the first true city in the world?
The Sumerians practiced a monotheistic religion.
The Sumerians practiced a monotheistic religion.
False
The Sumerians made sacrifices to make the gods happy and built impressive ______ for them.
The Sumerians made sacrifices to make the gods happy and built impressive ______ for them.
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What was the economic activity of the Sumerians regarding traded goods?
What was the economic activity of the Sumerians regarding traded goods?
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What was one of the solutions the Sumerians developed to address environmental challenges?
What was one of the solutions the Sumerians developed to address environmental challenges?
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What system of writing did the Sumerians create?
What system of writing did the Sumerians create?
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What was the base of the Sumerian number system?
What was the base of the Sumerian number system?
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Sumerians developed a calendar based solely on the solar cycle.
Sumerians developed a calendar based solely on the solar cycle.
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Study Notes
Geography and Environmental Challenges
- Dominated by a desert climate, the region is known as the Fertile Crescent due to its curved shape and rich land.
- Environmental issues include unpredictable flooding and limited natural resources, compounded by periods of drought.
- The lack of natural barriers left the region exposed and vulnerable.
Sumerian City-States
- City-states are defined as political and economic entities controlling surrounding areas.
- Ur was a key trade center located at the junction of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flowing into the Persian Gulf.
- Uruk is recognized as the first true city in the world, showcasing early urban development.
Religion
- Sumerians practiced polytheism, worshipping anthropomorphic gods who influenced various aspects of life, from health to natural disasters.
- Unique gods existed for specific professions (e.g., fishermen, farmers).
- Ziggurats, stepped pyramids made from sun-baked bricks, were built as shrines for the gods, complete with sacrifices.
Governance and Society
- Early governance was centered around temple priests, who acted as intermediaries between the gods and the populace.
- Temples were hubs of economic and political activity, with rulers believed to be chosen and protected by the gods.
Sumerian Economy
- Economic activities included bartering wool, barley, dried fish, wheat, and metal goods.
- They imported essential materials, notably copper, tin, and timber, to support their economy.
Solutions to Environmental Challenges
- To manage water shortages, Sumerians constructed irrigation canals to divert river water to fields.
- Defensive measures like city walls were built using mud bricks, enhancing protection against invasions.
- Flood management involved dikes and dams to control river overflow and protect agricultural areas.
Innovations and Technologies
- Developed cuneiform writing, using a reed stylus to create wedge-shaped symbols on clay tablets.
- Invention of the wheel facilitated the transportation of goods via wheeled carts; also utilized a potter's wheel for ceramics.
- Advanced mathematics included multiplication and division tables, leading to a base-60 number system influential in timekeeping and geometry.
Astronomy and Calendar Systems
- Sumerians meticulously observed celestial bodies, tracking the positions of planets and lunar phases.
- Established a lunar calendar based on the moon's cycles, contributing to foundational astronomical knowledge.
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Description
Test your knowledge on map skills and geographical features of the world, including the significance of regions like the Fertile Crescent. Explore key concepts such as climate, natural resources, and environmental challenges faced by different areas. Perfect for those studying geography and society.
