1. The Ancient Middle East and Egypt (3200 B.C-500 B.C)
Lesson 1 A Civilization Emerges in Sumer

2. The Ancient Middle East and Egypt (3200 B.C-500 B.C)
Lesson 1 A Civilization Emerges in Sumer
Learning Objectives
Understand how geography influenced the development of civilization in the Fertile Crescent.
Outline the main features of Sumerian civilization.
Explain how the advances in learning made by the Sumerians left a lasting legacy for later peoples to build on.

3. The Ancient Middle East and Egypt (3200 B.C-500 B.C)
Lesson 1 A Civilization Emerges in Sumer
Key Terms
Fertile Crescent,
Mesopotamia,
Sumer.
The Epic of Gilgamesh,
hierarchy
ziggurat
cuneiform

4. Civilizations Arise in the Fertile Crescent
A desert climate dominates the land between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean Sea, yet a number of early civilizations arose here. The region of the Middle East is called the Fertile Crescent, named for its rich soils and golden wheat fields. Over time, nomadic herders, ambitious invaders, and traders easily overcame the region’s few natural barriers. As a result, the region became a crossroads where people and ideas met and mingled. This region is often referred to as the “cradle of civilization.” Many of the earliest human civilizations developed in this river valley region because of the availability of water and other agricultural resources.

5. Civilizations Arise in the Fertile Crescent
Sumerians Overcome Environmental Challenges
Sumerian City-States

6. Civilizations Arise in the Fertile Crescent
Analyze Maps A series of early civilizations arose between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, called Mesopotamia. What natural features may have limited the expansion of these civilizations?

7. Civilizations Arise in the Fertile Crescent
Gilgamesh, king of Uruk, sought eternal life and obtained the plant of youth. However, a snake ate it, which, according to the legend, is why people do not live forever.

8. Sumerian Civilization Develops
Within a few hundred years of its beginning, Sumer included at least 12 separate city-states. Rival city-states often battled for control of land and water. For protection, people turned to war leaders. Over time, the practice of rule by war leaders evolved into hereditary rule. This resulted in the formation of monarchies. A monarchy is a government in which one person has complete authority to rule in peacetime and to lead soldiers in wartime.

9. Sumerian Civilization Develops
Sumerian Government
Sumerian Society
Sumerian Religion
Sumerian Writing

10. Sumerian Civilization Develops
The first war in recorded history took place between Sumer and Elam in 2700 B.C. War was an important factor in the creation of states and empires throughout ancient Mesopotamia.

11. Sumerian Civilization Develops
Analyze Information What does the information on the chart indicate about how Sumerian society supported itself?

12. Sumerian Civilization Develops
Analyze Information How did cuneiform writing allow Sumerians to communicate more effectively?

13. Sumer’s Legacy
Beginning around 2500 B.C., armies of conquering peoples swept across Mesopotamia and overwhelmed the Sumerian city-states. By 1900 B.C., the Sumerian civilization had been replaced by other civilizations and empires that you will read about in the next lesson.

14. Sumer’s Legacy Language and Culture Astronomy and Mathematics
Technology

15. Sumer’s Legacy
Analyze Information The Sumerians influenced later civilizations. What were some of its technological legacies?

16. Sumer’s Legacy
The Standard of Ur is a small wooden panel covered on both sides with mosaics composed of stones and jewels. This image shows a banquet scene with the king and his servants.

17. Quiz: Civilizations Arise in the Fertile Crescent
How did geography influence the development of civilizations in the Fertile Crescent?
A. The region’s location on trade routes between Egypt and Persia led to development of great cities.
B. The Nile River offered excellent irrigation and transportation.
C. Rich soil and the Tigris and Euphrates rivers created fertile land for farming.
D. Numerous forests and stone quarries made it easy to build large cities.

18. Quiz: Sumerian Civilization Develops
Which best describes the three levels of Sumerian society?
A. rulers, officials, and priests; lesser priests, scribes, merchants, and artisans; peasant farmers
B. priests; rulers and government officials; merchants, artisans,and peasant farmers
C. the king; priests; officials, scribes, merchants, artisans, and farmers
D. high priest and king; officials; merchants and peasants

19. Quiz: Sumer’s Legacy
How did Sumerian culture spread throughout Mesopotamia?
A. from traders and adaptation by succeeding rulers
B. from cuneiform tablets and monarchs
C. from traders and hieroglyphic tablets
D. from succeeding rulers and word of mouth from soldiers