Chapter 2 Sec. 3 City-States of Ancient Sumer Mr. Marsh Columbus North High School

Geography of the Fertile Crescent

Sumer/Mesopotamia were a part of which modern country? Iraq Iran Israel India [Default] [MC Any] [MC All]

Mesopotamia Mesopotamia- Greek- “Between Rivers” The First known civilization around 3200 B.C. in the city of Sumer

Floods and Irrigation Flooding in Mesopotamia was much more infrequent and was more destructive then that of the Nile River. Farmers had to learn to work together and use the floods as a advantage rather then a disadvantage. Rivers had to be controlled during droughts just as during floods. Temple priests and royal officials would oversee the development of irrigation ditches.

First Cities First cities in Mesopotamia developed in the south close to the Persian Gulf. Bricks became key building materials. Sumerians developed some of the first tools to make life easier on man The first wheeled vehicle.

Rights of Women Women rights and roles changed in Sumer A mother-goddess reflected honor of motherhood Male gods replaced female goddess as Sumerian city-states faught wars against each other. Rulers wives had many special privialges. Wealthy women could own land and engage in trade. Women became more dependent on men in later years

Cuneiform Writing

Why do you think Cuneiform changed? SHORTANSWER

Was Sumer civilized? How do we know? SHORTANSWER