INDEPENDENT SUMERIAN CITY-STATES

Do Now 1. Take out your vocabulary sheet 2. Take out your Lesson 3.2 Fact-Finder

The Emergence of Cities

In ancient times, the features of a city-state included: 1. A walled city and the land around it, such as farmland 2. It’s own government 3. Clearly marked borders 4. Covered several square miles 5. A population of about 5,000 people

The Emergence of Cities Over time, some city-states grew to: 1. More than 1,500 square miles 2. Populations of as many as 60,000 people

The Emergence of Cities Each city-state was independent but people shared a common culture which included: 1. Similar religious practices 2. They spoke the Sumerian language 3. Developed a writing system

Emergence of Cities  They also created buildings, art, and crafts that were unique to Sumerian Society.

Government and Religion First political or government structure of each city state was made up of: 1. A small group of leaders 2. A chief leader chosen by the group

Government and Religion Together, they made laws, decided what work had to be done, and dealt with disputes over land or water rights

Government and Religion When faced with war, different leaders could not always agree on what to do, so a single leader was needed

Government and Religion This led to the first monarchy 1. A system ruled by a king or queen 2. When a King died: his son became the new king

Government and Religion The King had complete authority or power over: 1. Religion 2. The Economy 3. Everyday Life

Government and Religion The King appointed officials to carry out his orders, often concerning economic surpluses and building projects

Government and Religion Below the King, priests were the most important people in society

Government and Religion Sumerians practiced polytheism, and their beliefs included: a. The belief in many gods b. Each natural event had its own god c. One god protected each city-state

Commercial Society Economic system built on surpluses, which led to new kinds of jobs, production of new goods, and people began to trade their surpluses

Commercial Society In each city, jobs held were: a. Farming b. Craft-workers c. Metalworkers d. Builders

Commercial Society Sumerians depended on long distance trade, as there were no metals or trees found in Sumer

Commercial Society Exported: Agricultural surpluses, such as grains and dates

Commercial Society Imported: Metals, wood, and other resources

Commercial Society Groups of traders traveled together on long journeys called caravans

Commercial Society Carried goods by donkeys throughout the Fertile Crescent Later traders used sailboats to carry goods on waterways to distant places

Commercial Society By 2300 BC, Sumerian trade extended: From Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean to as far as the Indus Valley (Pakistan)

Wrap Up  What characteristics of common culture did all Sumerians share?  What is a monarchy? What aspects of life did the king control?  What is polytheism? How was it practiced in Sumer?  What are imports and exports? What goods did they import? What goods did they export?