The Rise of Sumerian City-States Chapter 4: The Rise of Sumerian City-States Name:___________________ Color:_______ From caves to small Neolithic villages to complex Sumerians city-states, in this chapter you will learn how a series of problems faced by the people of ancient Mesopotamia were solved and how they helped to transform the Neolithic farming villages into complex Sumerian city-states. What is this chapters essential question?____________________________________________________________________ 4.1 Introduction (pg 33) Mesopotamia is the Greek word that means: “_____________________________________” Two rivers? ____________________ and ____________________ Cities first appeared in the southern part of this land called: __________________. Why were the earliest cities in Sumer called city-states? List 3 features of one of an early Mesopotamian city-state: 4.2 Mesopotamia: A Difficult Environment Mesopotamia was not an easy place to live. (pg 34) THERE WAS LITTLE RAIN! List 2 problems Mesopotamians faced living on the plains. 1._____________________________________ _____________________________________ 2._____________________________________ _____________________________________ The northern part was ____________ and received ____________. The southern part was low ____________, or ___________land. What is an irrigation system? ________________________________ _______________________________

Solution Problem 4.3 Food Shortages in the Hills (pg 35) Farming began in the rolling _______________of the _____________ _______________ in northern Mesopotamia. Solution Draw and label a picture showing the Mesopotamian solution to the food shortage List 3 advantages of living in the Zagros foothills: __________________________________ ___________________________________ ____________________________________ Problem Draw and label a picture showing the problem that occurred around 5000 BCE As a result, the farmers moved to the ______________ and ______________ River valley’s. Explain why did farmers move here( hint: what were some advantages)?? This region became known as ________________. BUT the lack of _____________caused a food ______________ in the Zagros foothills!!

4.4 Uncontrolled Water Supply in the River Valley (pg 36) Describe the seasonal weather changes in Sumer. Solution Draw and label a picture showing how Sumerians solved their problem with water. List 2 reasons why this made farming so difficult. 1.__________________________________________________ 2.__________________________________________________ Problem Draw and label a picture showing the problem caused by an uncontrollable water supply The Sumerians created irrigation systems to provide water for their ___________. They built ________ _________, called levee’s, along the sides of the river to prevent flooding. Explain other ways Sumerians learned to control the water supply? Farmers either had too little water or they had too much! To succeed in growing________, they needed a way to __________ the ___________ so they could have a reliable water ___________ all year round.

The irrigation system passed through many __________ 4.5 Difficulties in Building and Maintaining a Complex Irrigation System (pg 37) The irrigation system passed through many __________ as it carried water from the __________ to the __________. The ___________needed to be cleaned regularly as they became clogged with ________ (very fine mud). And ______ __________ could spoil the whole ___________!!! Solution Draw and label a picture showing how Sumerians kept their complex irrigation system working. Problem Draw and label a picture showing what could happen if an irrigation system was not cleared regularly. List 3 ways farmers from different city-states worked together: 1.___________________________________________ 2.___________________________________________ 3.___________________________________________ Why did famers have to live and work close to one another? What was the long term result of Sumerians working together?

Solution Problem 4.6 Attacks by Neighboring Communities (pg 38) As cities grew, people fought over the right to use __________ ____________ ! Solution Draw and label a picture showing how Sumerians protected their cities. Problem Draw and label a picture showing why Sumerian cities fought with each other. List two ways Sumerians tried to protect their cities from enemies: 1.__________________________________________________________________________________ 2.__________________________________________________________________________________ Explain how the physical geography of Sumer left its cities unprotected. The walled cities of Sumer were like _________________ ____________________!!!