1. Sumerian Civilization
Explore how geography affected the development of the Sumerian Civ.
Identify the achievements of the Sumerian people.
Describe what life was like in Sumerian society.

2. Villages along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers had to work together.
Fertile Crescent is the fertile land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The first civilization in the Fertile Crescent was discovered in Mesopotamia.
As in Egypt, these fertile lands supported the development of civilization.
Villages along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers had to work together.
The first Sumerian cities emerged in southern Mesopotamia around 3200B.C.

3. Writing
Developed cuneiform, believed to be the earliest form of writing.
Developed basic algebra and geometry.
Made accurate calendars, essential to a farming society. To keep it accurate, they added a month every few years.

4. Calendar

5. Cuneiform

6. Architecture Science
The Sumerians invented several important architecture designs:
The arch
Ziggurats
They developed a number system based on 60
This idea later created the watch and the compass.
Made the first wheeled vehicles.

8. GOVERNMENT City-states with hereditary rulers.
Ruler led army in war and enforced laws.
Complex government with scribes to collect taxes and keep records.

9. SOCIAL STRUCTURE
Each state had distinct social hierarchy, or system of ranks.
Most people were peasant farmers.
Women had legal rights; some engaged in trade and owned property.

10. RELIGION
Worshiped many gods. An Lord of heaven, Enlil god of air and storms, and Enki, god of water and wisdom.
Believed gods controlled every aspect of life.
Saw afterlife as a grim place. They did not believe in rewards and punishments after death.
To keep the gods happy, each city built a ziggurat, or pyramid temple.

11. Gods

12. Education
Very important only for upper-class boys, no girls attended school.
Writing and spelling; also copying of religious books and songs.
Studied drawing and arithmetic.

13. City-State

15. Assignment You are going to draw a map of a Sumerian City-State:
Maps should include symbols for places such as homes, schools, Government buildings, markets, Ziggurats and farms.
Include a key and explain your symbols.