Sumerian Achievements

Social Classes: rigid social structure Nobility- Kings nobles and Priests Middle class- merchants, bankers, skilled workers Lower classes- farmers and laborers Slaves- chattel (property) owned by the master

Writing and Education: writing called cuneiform (cuneus- translation from Latin for wedge) stylus- wedge shaped tool stylus pressed into wet clay- wet clay was baked to preserve writing creation of an early ”printing” system (signet rings and cylindrical seals used to sign names)

Writing and Education: scribes were trained to learn the 600 symbols Eddubas (schools) were established to train scribes for the wealthy

Farming complex system of canals, ditches, dykes, reservoirs etc. required advanced engineering required cooperation to maintain the irrigation system (keep it free of silt) grew a variety of crops- grain, fruit cooperation leads to…civilization

Shipping and Trade: many shipping vessels trade with Egypt and Ethiopia for goods they could not produce at home had a “world view” - map

Religion: polytheistic (gods/ demi-gods) each city-state had a patron god gods were believed to need sacrifice and praise or they could be vengeful very vague notions of an afterlife (neither pleasant or unpleasant) temples were dedicated to the gods- Ziggaruts liver divination (messages from gods) markings on the livers of sacrificial sheep

Architecture and Technology: invention of the wheel led to carts and chariots the arch (construction) seed plows (using a funnel attached to a plow to plant seeds) shaduf to lift water from rivers and into irrigation canals houses (mud-brick or clay) could be more than one story (indicated wealth) woven reeds mats were to stabilize the walls of canals smelting of copper and later on bronze Ziggaruts- temples that were made from platforms one atop another decorated with columns, arches, mosaics

City-States: developed from small towns and villages walled for protection (includes surrounding farmlands) centers of trade, defense, religion A city-state is an independent country whose territory consists of a city which is not administered as part of another local government. Whereas nation-states rely on a common heritage, be it linguistic, historical, economic, etc., the city-state relies on the common interest in the function of the urban center. The urban center and its activity supplies the livelihoods of all urbanites inhabiting the city-state.

Culture and the Arts: sculpture decorated pottery and clothing The Epic of Gilgamesh (first recorded story about a heroic priest-king from the city-state of Uruk) libraries

Legal and Political Systems initially democratic principles were evident eventually despotic rulers gained control had laws and courts to make legal decisions about ownership, divorce etc. Despotism is a form of government by which a single entity rules with absolute and unlimited power, and may be expressed by an indvidual as an autocracy or through a group as an oligarchy. Despotism itself means to "rule in the fashion of a despot", and should not be confused with the actual and singular position of 'Despot'. Bas relief low relief

Mathematics: highly developed and based on units of 60 standard unit of measurement called a cubit (from elbow to fingertips- approx. 50cm) lunar calendar and solar calendar (360 days)

Science and Medicine: understanding of a variety of ailments and cures disease was seen as a punishment for wrong-doing supernatural elements in medical practice medical records found with “prescriptions” herbal remedies