1. Civilization in Sumer

2. Vocabulary Words
innovation
division of labor
surplus
monarchy
absolute authority
bureaucracy
pictograph
cuneiform
social class
merchant

3. Innovation

4. INNOVATION
A new way of doing things.

5. Division of labor

6. Division of Labor
The sharing of large jobs so that each worker does only part of the work.

7. Surplus

8. Surplus
Amount of product that is left after needs are met.

9. Monarchy

10. Monarchy
The system of government in which a king or queen rules.

11. Absolute Authority

12. Absolute Authority
A system of government in which one person has complete control.

13. Bureaucracy

14. Bureaucracy
A governing group made up of non-elected officials.

15. Pictograph

16. Pictograph
A drawing or symbol used to represent a word or idea.

17. Cuneiform

18. Cuneiform
A form of writing that uses symbols to stand for words.

19. Social Class

20. Social Class
Group of people in the same level of importance in a society.

21. Merchant

22. Merchant
Someone who buys or sells goods.

23. Vocabulary Review ____ Merchant ____ Division of labor
_____ Social Class
_____ Monarchy
______ Absolute authority
_____ Bureaucracy
A system of government in which a king or queen rules.
A governing group made up of non elected officials.
Having complete control.

24. Ancient Sumer

25. One of the world’s first civilization formed in Mesopotamia in an area called Sumer.

26. Sumerians are known for several achievements and innovations.

27. Mesopotamia is known as an area between two rivers.
The rivers are Tigris and Euphrates.
Sumerians were able to grow food because of the rich soil on the banks of the rivers.

29. Advances in Farming
Sumer got little rainfall so the people had to find ways to use the river water for their crops.
They also had to find ways to protect their crops from flooding (too much water) and drought (not enough water).
They found ways to change the rivers.

30. Advances in Farming
Sumerians built dikes and dams to control the flooding of the rivers.

31. Advances in Farming
They filled reservoirs to help them store water during the drought, and canals to bring water during the dry season.

32. Advances in Farming
They were one of the first people to use wheeled carts to carry crops and other heavy loads.

33. Advances in Farming
Sumerians used division of labor in farming.

34. Advances in Farming
Sumerians knew that they had to produce enough food or else there would be disaster.
They learned to be organized and cooperate with each other.

35. What 5 innovations did Sumerians use to help them in farming?
Why was division of labor important in farming?
How did wheeled carts help Sumerians in farming?

36. Government in Sumer Sumerians had a monarchy.
Each city- state had a ruler called en.
The en had absolute authority.

37. Directing public events
Each city state had the en - king
The en held an absolute power
Settling arguments
Leading the military
Arranging trade
Directing public events

38. Government in Sumer
Sumerian monarchs were considered to be great men that were chosen by gods.

39. Government in Sumer
Sumerians needed help to rule over several lands and large areas so they created a bureaucracy.
The officials were priests or religious leaders.

40. Sumerian monarchs were called “great men”
Sumerian rulers created first known bureaucracy
Governing group made up of appointed officials
priests
Religious leaders

41. Bureaucratic officials
Government in Sumer
List any surpluses used for trading
Choosing and marking lands for farming
Record amount of food given to people.
Distribute food to people
Bureaucratic officials
Keep track of food brought from the farm to the store.

42. The desire to keep records of FOOD led to Sumerian greatest contribution to world history -WRITING.

43. What form of government did Sumerians have?
Give two ways bureaucracy helped the Sumerian en (king).
What led the Sumerians to invent writing?

44. Writing and Other Innovations
The first form of Sumerian writing was Pictographs.

45. Cuneiform – using symbols instead of words
They improved their writing by using symbols to stand for words.
Cuneiform – using symbols instead of words

46. Iku (acre)- used to measure land. Quart- used to measure volume.
Sumerians had three innovations for measuring.
Iku (acre)- used to measure land.
Quart- used to measure volume.
Calendar- used to measure time.

47. A standard unit for volume – the quart
Other inventions
Measuring systems
A standard unit for measuring an area of land – crop field – iku, now called acre
A standard unit for volume – the quart

48. Divided into 12 months based on the 28-day cycle of the moon
Sumerian calendar
Divided into 12 months based on the 28-day cycle of the moon
Made up of 12 lunar months; every three years extra month was added

49. Mixed copper and tin to make bronze tools
sailboats
Potter’s wheel

50. What are three Sumerian innovations for measuring?
How did Sumerians improve their greatest invention: Writing?

51. Divisions in Society
People in Sumer belonged to different Social Classes.
There were three Social classes in Sumer:
Ruling Class
Middle Class
Working Class

52. WORKING OR LOWEST CLASS
SUMERIAN SOCIAL CLASS
RULING CLASS
King, government officials, priests, warriors
MIDDLE CLASS
Less important government officials, merchants, carpenters, craft workers, doctors, potters
WORKING OR LOWEST CLASS
Slaves, farm workers

53. Divisions in Society
In all Sumerian societies, men held more authority and independence than women.
Men held all the leadership roles, though some women were religious leaders.

54. Divisions in Society
Sumerian women held more rights than women of other ancient civilizations.
Sumerian women could own a property.
Sumerian women could run a business.
Sumerian women were taught how to read and write in Cuneiform.

55. Held all the leadership positions
Men
Women
Had more rights
than women
Held all the leadership positions
Had more independence
Ruled family life
Important religious leaders
Had more rights than other ancient women
Could own property and run businesses
Some were taught to read and write

56. What are the social classes in Sumer?
What class has the most members?
How are women in Sumer different from women of other ancient civilizations?