key term - Sumerian Civilization

Definition

The Sumerian Civilization was one of the earliest known urban societies in the world, emerging around 4500 BCE in the southern part of Mesopotamia, in what is now modern-day Iraq. Known for its advancements in agriculture, writing, and city-building, the Sumerians significantly influenced later cultures and laid the groundwork for future civilizations. Their innovative farming techniques and irrigation systems were crucial in supporting their urban centers and complex social structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sumerians are credited with developing one of the first writing systems, cuneiform, which facilitated record-keeping and administration.
2. The Sumerian civilization is known for constructing large ziggurats, which served as temples and administrative centers in their city-states.
3. Agricultural advancements, including the plow and irrigation techniques, enabled the Sumerians to support larger populations and surplus food production.
4. Sumer was divided into several city-states, such as Ur, Uruk, and Eridu, each governed by a priest-king who served both religious and political roles.
5. Sumerians made significant contributions to mathematics and astronomy, including a base-60 number system that is still used today for measuring time and angles.

Review Questions

• How did the Sumerian Civilization's agricultural practices contribute to its urban development?
  • The agricultural practices of the Sumerian Civilization were pivotal in fostering urban development. By implementing advanced irrigation techniques and utilizing tools like the plow, they significantly increased crop yields. This agricultural surplus allowed for population growth and supported the establishment of large urban centers, transforming them from simple settlements into complex city-states with diverse social structures.
• Discuss the importance of cuneiform writing in Sumerian society and its impact on subsequent civilizations.
  • Cuneiform writing was essential in Sumerian society as it enabled effective communication and record-keeping. This writing system allowed for the documentation of laws, trade transactions, and literary works. Its introduction marked a significant advancement in human history, influencing subsequent civilizations by providing a model for their own writing systems and facilitating administration, commerce, and cultural exchange across regions.
• Evaluate the lasting legacy of Sumerian Civilization on modern society regarding agricultural innovations and urban planning.
  • The legacy of Sumerian Civilization continues to resonate in modern society through their agricultural innovations and urban planning principles. The introduction of irrigation systems set a precedent for agricultural efficiency that supports current farming practices. Additionally, their development of organized city-states paved the way for contemporary urban planning concepts. The Sumerians' ability to create structured societies and manage resources effectively laid foundational principles that still influence how cities are designed and governed today.

Related terms

Irrigation:

A method used by the Sumerians to supply water to crops through a network of canals, allowing for agricultural expansion and higher crop yields.

Cuneiform: The writing system developed by the Sumerians, which used wedge-shaped marks on clay tablets to record information and communicate ideas.

City-States: Independent cities that functioned as individual political entities in Sumerian civilization, each with its own government and deities.