Ancient River Valley Civilizations Aim: Why are the contributions of Sumer significant to today’s world? Do Now: Complete “The Sumerians” Handout.

Class work Students will take notes to complete their graphic organizers

Why River Valleys? 1. Offered rich soils for agriculture 2. Tended to be located in places that could offer protection from nomadic invaders

The Fertile Crescent Arc of land between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea in Southwest Asia

One land…Two Rivers Mesopotamia means = “land between the rivers” –Tigris River and Euphrates River Both rivers flooded once a year and left thick bed of silt. –Silt: rich, new soil farmers could plant and harvest enormous quantities of wheat and barley

Political Power of the Priests Sumer’s earliest governments were controlled by temple priests –Farmers believed they needed blessings for success of their crops –Priests were the middle man for the Gods –Priests demanded portion of farmer crops as tax

Political Later followed Hereditary rulers: when the power is passed down to family members Sargon

Economy Metal tools and weapons (bronze, iron) Increasing agricultural surplus (better tools, plows, irrigation) Increasing trade along rivers – traded with Egypt Development of the world’s first cities Specialization of labor

Religion Polytheistic: Belief in Many Gods (3,000!!!) Gods could be angered at any moment and to keep them happy Sumerians: –Built impressive ziggurats or temples to sacrifice food, wine and animals –Souls of the dead wandered in the land of no return

MORE ZIGGURATS!!!

Sumerian Society Kings and Priests Wealthy merchants Ordinary Sumerian people Slaves

Women Could hold property Join lower ranks of priesthood There were few women scribes –Scholars think that girls were not allowed to attend schools

Intellectual Epic of Gilgamesh Myths and legends recorded in this long poem One of the earliest works of literature in the world

“Gilgamesh, whither are you wandering? Life, which you look for, you will never find. For when the gods created man, they let Death be his share, and withheld life In their own hands”

Achievements Science and Technology Invented the wheel, the sail, the plow First to use bronze. Developed system of writing Built irrigation systems, buildings, surveyed flooded fields.

Student Activity: Working in Pairs- Students will answer Human- Environment Interaction: Sumerian City Planning Ques. 1-7 Final Assessment : Answer practice multiple choice questions 1-4

Pictures Cited Slide Slide Slide 4 – Slide 5 – Slide 6 – Slide 7 – Slide 8 – Slide 9 – Slide 10 – Slide 11 – Made by Clara Kim Slide 12 – Slide 13 – Slide 14 – Slide 15 –