1. Sumer

3. Sumer
Built several large city states- a small city that is also a separate, independent state.
Each had its own special god or goddess, government, army, and eventually its own king.
Walls were built around the city for protection
City-States often fought against each other.

4. Sumer Religion Ziggurat- “The house binding heaven and earth”
Temples were located in the heart/ middle of the city

5. Sumer
Ziggurats were pyramids made of terraces, one on top of another, linked by ramps and stairs.
Some were over seven stories high.
Sumerians believed that the gods descended to Earth using the ziggurat as a stairway.

6. Sumer Gods: Worshipped more than 3,000 gods: polytheism
Gods had human qualities- fell in love, had children, fought with each other.
To the left: Sumerian idols placed in Ziggurats to pray for the gods while people were working. They represented the people.

7. Sumer
Sumerians believed disasters were a result of people angering the gods
To keep the gods happy, Sumerians built ziggurats and conducted religious ceremonies

8. Sumer Citizens Rights Everyone could own their own farm or house.
Slavery existed but slaves had many rights.
Children who made mistakes in school were caned.
Parents chose whom children would marry

9. Sumer
Homes
Made of mud which was put into molds and dried in the sun to make bricks.
Wealthier people had two story homes.

10. Sumer
The Fall of Sumer
Around 2300 B.C., Sumer was conquered by the Akkadians, a neighboring city-state.
King Sargon- First ruler to unite the city-states of Mesopotamia

11. Sumer Contributions of the Akkadians
Sargon improved the government and the military
After 100 years of Akkadian rule, Sumer fell to the Babylonians.