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City-States of Ancient Sumer

City-States of Ancient Sumer. Fertile Crescent & the Tigris & Euphrates . Many early civilizations began in the Fertile Crescent- a region of the Middle East with good soil Mesopotamia- “between 2 rivers”; Tigris and Euphrates Sumer , World’s 1 st civilization developed in the southeast.

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City-States of Ancient Sumer

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  1. City-States of Ancient Sumer

  2. Fertile Crescent & the Tigris & Euphrates

  3. Many early civilizations began in the Fertile Crescent- a region of the Middle East with good soil • Mesopotamia- “between 2 rivers”; Tigris and Euphrates • Sumer, World’s 1st civilization developed in the southeast

  4. The Tigris and Euphrates Rivers often flood • Villagers living along the rivers worked together on projects to control the flood waters • Few natural resources were available • clay and water were used to build homes • Traded for other goods; invented the wheel

  5. Sumerian Social Structure • Based on a hierarchy-system of rating groups • Ruling family & high priests • Lesser priests & merchants • Peasant farmers(largest group) • Women had no legal rights, but some were educated • Religion • Polytheistic; gods controlled every part of life. • #1 duty was to keep gods happy • Built ziggurats with a temple on top dedicated to the main god(s) • Believed in an afterlife much like “hell” for everyday

  6. Ziggurat

  7. Cuneiform

  8. Writing • By 3200 B.C. Sumerians created cuneiform- a system of wedge shaped writing • Lasting Legacy • 2500 B.C. Sumer began to be conquered • Invaders adopted some of the Sumerian innovations such as astronomy and mathematics • Set the hour into 60 minutes, circle into 360 degrees

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