Walk-In Why might people in a civilization develop beliefs in god(s)? Take out notebook, folder, pencil box. D’s, get the textbooks, please. Copy the question and answer in sentences: Why might people in a civilization develop beliefs in god(s)?

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Answer People in a civilization believe in god(s) because: It can explain natural events that they are afraid of, such as floods, droughts, fires, diseases. They have hope that prayers for good crops, harvests and good living conditions will be answered. It gathers people together and they feel reassured to be with others. It provides leadership and makes people feel they are not all alone to face their problems.

Religions in Sumer

Polytheism Early people often practiced polytheism (the belief in many gods and goddesses) because it helped them to understand the good and bad things happening around them. They appointed a priest to interpret (figure out) what the gods were thinking.

Good and Bad of Priests Discuss with your group: What were the traits of a good priest? Could there be bad priests? How so?

Ziggurat They built ZIGGURATS that were the city center, where the priest ruled and gave orders, grain and other goods were counted, and people prayed together. See page 93 for diagram.

Sumerian society Sumer had social classes. King and priests – leaders believed to have a link to the gods. When cities were attacked, people chose a leader to protect them, who became a king. Often, his son would be the next king.

Social Classes Upper classes – rich landowners, government members, merchants. Free people – farmers and artisans. Slaves – Often prisoners of war, used as cheap labor.

Draw a Ziggurat! Using the diagram on page 93, draw a ziggurat the best you can. Label parts of your diagram using the captions on page 93 to help you. Imagine you are a Sumerian coming to the Ziggurat. Write a paragraph on what you might see and do there.