D AILY L IFE IN S UMER Chapter 3 Lesson 4

O BJECTIVES Describe the role of government and religion in Sumerian daily life Discuss the role of trade in Sumerian city-states Describe the social order and roles of the Sumerian people

V OCABULARY Deity – gods that Sumerians believed controlled nature

L IFE IN A C ITY -S TATE Although Sumerian city- states depended on agriculture for their survival and growth, most Sumerians lived and worked in cities Farmers brought meat, grain, fish, and fruit to city markets, where city dwellers bought them

G OVERNMENT AND L AW Sumerian laws gave people certain rights Property rights were sometimes taken away in times of war The oldest known record of ancient laws was carved into stone about 2000 BC

S PECIALIZATION AND T RADE Increasing specialization in the division of labor developed within Sumerian cities Different tasks were done by government officials, scribes, craft workers, and merchants

P LEASING THE G ODS Sumerians worshipped the forces of nature as gods, or deities The gods of air and water were among the most important The Sumerians presented their gods with offerings and built temples in their honor

S OCIAL S TRUCTURE Sumerian society was divided in social classes. See page 118 for Sumerian social class.

S UMMARY The Sumerian cities were centers for trade, religion, and government City life was supported by the food farmers provided and by the work done by government officials Sumerians worshipped many gods that represented nature Over time, social classes developed in Sumerian society