Sumerian Civilization Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following was NOT a responsibility of Sumerian priests?

  • Control irrigation
  • Lead military campaigns (correct)
  • Collect taxes in the form of goods
  • Make sacrifices to the gods

    • Sumerian homes were typically made of stone and had many windows.

    False

    What was the primary purpose of a ziggurat in Sumerian cities?

    A temple for the gods

    The Sumerians believed their purpose on Earth was to serve the __________.

    <p>gods</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following gods with their attributes:

    <p>Enki = God of water and knowledge Innana = Goddess of love and war Utu = God of the sun Ninurta = God of farming and hunting</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What social class was at the top of the Sumerian social pyramid?

    <p>Rulers and priests</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Sumerian streets were designed to accommodate large carts easily.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What special role did priests play in Sumerian society?

    <p>Intermediaries between humans and gods</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What writing system did the Sumerians develop from pictographs?

    <p>Cuneiform</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest known works of literature.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary purpose of the bullae in trade?

    <p>To store tokens of trade.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    King Sargon of Akkad is known as the first ruler to create a _____ in Mesopotamia.

    <p>empire</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following historical figures with their contributions:

    <p>Sargon of Akkad = Created the first empire Hammurabi = Developed a code of laws Gilgamesh = Mythical king in the first legend Enkidu = Wild man created by the gods</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant theme is explored in the Epic of Gilgamesh?

    <p>The search for immortality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hammurabi's Code included lenient and flexible laws.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What material was primarily used for writing cuneiform?

    <p>Clay tablets.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the principle behind Hammurabi's Code?

    <p>Eye for an eye</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hammurabi's Code was the first set of laws ever recorded.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many laws are etched on the stele of Hammurabi's Code?

    <p>282</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Hammurabi was the king of __________.

    <p>righteousness</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match Hammurabi's situations with their corresponding actions:

    <p>Carpenter building a house = Punishment fitting the consequence Wife belittling husband = Possible fines or retaliation Adopted son returning to birth parents = Legal discussion on rights Wild bull gore incident = Liability for damages</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which deity is depicted presenting Hammurabi with the law?

    <p>Shamash</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The stele containing Hammurabi's Code is currently located in the Louvre Museum.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was one of the consequences of the carpenter building a faulty house according to Hammurabi's Code?

    <p>The carpenter would face punishment for negligence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the punishment for a builder whose house collapses and causes the owner's death?

    <p>Death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A woman who neglects her duties and belittles her husband will be thrown into the water.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to a nun who enters a wine shop for a drink?

    <p>She shall be burned.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a son adopts a young boy and rears him, the birth-parents cannot bring a claim for that adopted ______.

    <p>son</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the actions to their consequences:

    <p>Builder's house collapses = Death of the builder Wife belittles husband = Thrown into water Son strikes father = Hand cut off Wine seller fails to act = Death of the wine seller</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can happen to a person who is in debt and unable to pay?

    <p>Sell family members</p> Signup and view all the answers

    If a son strikes his father, he faces a fine.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What determines the guilt of a man accused of a crime?

    <p>Jumping into the river.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is Mesopotamia often referred to due to its agricultural significance?

    <p>Fertile Crescent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers are predictable and do not flood unexpectedly.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major invention did the Sumerians develop to control water flow?

    <p>Irrigation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Mesopotamia is known as the '___ of Civilization' because of its historical significance.

    <p>Cradle</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which important invention contributed to the agricultural surplus in Sumer?

    <p>The plow</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their descriptions:

    <p>Irrigation = System for controlling water flow Ziggurats = Temple structures in city-states City-states = Independent political entities Sumerians = People who developed in Mesopotamia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    City-states in Mesopotamia operated under a single government.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What geographical features define Mesopotamia?

    <p>Tigris and Euphrates Rivers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Sumerian Civilization

    • Sumerian civilization flourished along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia.
    • Mesopotamia is known as the Fertile Crescent due to its crescent shape and fertile soil, ideal for planting.
    • It was also called the Cradle of Civilization.

    Mesopotamian Land Between Two Rivers

    • The land experienced unpredictable spring floods from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, depositing fertile silt.
    • Sumerians needed to control the rivers to ensure successful farming.

    Irrigation Systems

    • Sumerians developed irrigation systems to control water flow and direction.
    • Canals and irrigation ditches were built to redirect water to agricultural fields.
    • These advancements fostered crop growth and led to food surpluses.

    Development of Agriculture

    • Inventions like the plow, wheel/carts and improved irrigation systems aided successful farming in challenging climates.
    • Agricultural surpluses fueled trade systems.
    • Sumerian trade networks spanned wide distances.

    Mesopotamian City-States

    • Mesopotamia had multiple, independent city-states, each with its own gods, government, and leaders.
    • City-states frequently engaged in conflicts and wars.

    Ziggurats

    • Ziggurats were pyramid-shaped structures located in the center of city-states.
    • Ziggurats were temples used to worship the city's patron god or gods.
    • Only priests were allowed inside the ziggurats.

    Sumerian Homes

    • Homes, made from mud bricks, were usually windowless.
    • Flat roofs served as additional living spaces, used for cooking and sleeping.

    Sumerian City Layout

    • Sumerian houses faced away from busy streets toward courtyards where families lived and children played.
    • Streets were narrow, making it difficult to traverse them with carts.

    Social Classes and Division of Labor

    • Sumerian society had specialized roles (farmers, craftsmen, priests, merchants, soldiers, scribes, rulers and slaves).
    • Social standing was tied to wealth and education.
    • Rulers and priests held higher positions in the social hierarchy.

    Sumerian Schools

    • Priests primarily educated affluent boys to become scribes.
    • Scribes were valued for their administrative and record-keeping skills.
    • The education process involved rigorous schedules and strict discipline.

    Bullae

    • Bullae were clay containers used by merchants to safeguard and keep track of traded goods represented by tokens.
    • Marks were placed on the outside of the bulla depicting the goods inside.

    Sumerian Scribes

    • Pictographs, early forms of writing, were transformed into wedge-shaped cuneiform.
    • Writing on clay tablets allowed for recording of historical events, ideas, laws, treaties and myths.

    Cuneiform Writing

    • Writing started with pictographs that were rotated and changed into wedge shaped, symbolic forms known as cuneiform.
    • Cuneiform was used for recording different types of information in the region.

    Deciphering Cuneiform

    • Cuneiform was vital in comprehending and preserving Mesopotamian culture, history and traditions.

    Gilgamesh

    • The Epic of Gilgamesh, an ancient Mesopotamian story, served as the first written legend.
    • The epic involved a real king and a mythological tale of a search for immortality.
    • The story has flood elements akin to the Noah's Ark story.

    Later Mesopotamia

    • Constant wars between city-states resulted in temporary kings.
    • Priests and kings shared power.

    Sargon of Akkad

    • King Sargon, the ruler of Akkad, unified Mesopotamia and established the first empire.
    • Sargon was a harsh ruler. Subjugated city-states were forced into alliance.

    Hammurabi the Judge

    • King Hammurabi developed a comprehensive set of laws called the Code of Hammurabi.
    • Codes, strict in nature, governed many aspects of society.

    Hammurabi's Code

    • The Code of Hammurabi's laws were etched on stone pillars.
    • Laws ensured fairness to all citizens.

    Mesopotamian Contributions

    • Mesopotomia developed a 12 month calendar and irrigation systems, as well as legal systems, mathematics, metalworking, the sailboat and writing.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of Sumerian civilization, including its priests, architecture, literature, and social hierarchy. This quiz covers key aspects such as the ziggurats, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and important historical figures. Ideal for students studying ancient Mesopotamia.

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