Early Civilizations of the Middle East Sumer

Geography Sumer is the first civilization It was located in the fertile crescent, between the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf.

Geography Sumer was located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The land between the rivers was called Mesopotamia – today its Iraq. Mesopotamia was easy to invade so many civilizations started here.

Geography Floods were unpredictable so governments were started to control flood water Irrigation: system to control flooding and provide water to crops.

Organization Sumerians lived in city-states that fought each other over land and water. Each city-state had its own ruler – the job was hereditary. The ruler was also the religious leader and chief servant of the gods. The government was a theocracy – a government ruled by religious law.

Religion Sumerians were polytheistic. The gods were kept happy through prayer and sacrifices. Ziggurats were pyramid-shaped temples built for the gods.

merchants and artisans Social Classes Kings nobles high priests low priests merchants and artisans scribes peasant farmers slaves Slaves were captured in warfare.

Economy Sumerians traded with other people in Southwest Asia. They made the first wheeled vehicles. People had many different occupations due to the specialization of labor.

Written Language Cuneiform is the world’s first written language – 3200 B.C. It was written on clay tablets using a stylus. Scribes were those who could write.

Achievements Sumerians also developed math – algebra and geometry! And science – astronomy (study of the stars) and a calendar The Epic of Gilgamesh

So, where are they now? What happened to the Sumerians? they were conquered by invaders What happened to their ideas? they were passed on to the Greeks and Romans

Write it next to each characteristic FOCUS On your list of the eight characteristics of civilization, give one example of each from what you learned about Sumer. Write it next to each characteristic