Sumer - The First Civilization Overview

The Sumerian civilization was formed in Mesopotamia around 3300 BC.

What was the primary function of a Ziggurat in Sumerian cities?

What were Sumerian houses typically built from?

Sumerian cities were surrounded by ______ walls for protection.

Match the following features of a Sumerian house with their descriptions:

What did Sumerian priests receive as payment for their services?

How did Sumerian cities grow gradually?

Sumer - The First Civilization

Sumer, a Mesopotamian civilization, emerged around 3300 BC.
City-states were similar to provinces, with a central city and surrounding smaller villages.
Trading, religious activities, and training were primarily centered in the main city.

City Life in Sumer

City development was gradual.
Roads were winding, not organized in 90-degree angles.
Protective walls encircled cities, featuring gates.
Homes were constructed from mud bricks.
Walls kept out the heat.
Doors consisted of horizontal beams supported by vertical posts, filled with mud.
Houses were built around a courtyard, where fires were commonly used.
Homes featured leaf roofs to allow smoke to escape.

Ziggurat - Temple/City Center

The Ziggurat, a temple in each Sumerian city, was the most impressive structure.
Ziggurats functioned as both temples and city halls.
Priests worked within the Ziggurats.
People sought advice from the priests regarding the gods.
Priests received offerings like grains and other supplies.
Priests gathered and controlled a large portion of the surplus supplies.
Priests gained significant power as a result.

Explore the fascinating aspects of Sumer, one of the world's earliest civilizations that emerged around 3300 BC. Learn about the structure of city-states, daily life in urban settings, and the significance of the Ziggurat as a center for worship and governance. This quiz will test your knowledge and understanding of Sumer's social, religious, and economic practices.