Sumer and the First Cities

Flashcards covering the history, culture, religion, and technological contributions of Sumer and its successor empires in Mesopotamia.

In which specific region do scholars believe cities first appeared?

Sumer, located at the Southeastern end of Mesopotamia within the Fertile Crescent.

According to the transcript, when did the Sumerians arrive in the region?

Around $5000\,BCE$.

What are the two primary theories regarding the formation of Sumerian cities?

Some believe they sprang up around temple communities established by priests, while others suggest 'strong men' gained control over water use to bring people together.

How was the political structure of Sumerian cities organized?

They were independent cities, not part of a single kingdom or empire, each having its own king and frequently fighting one another.

What geographic factor made the region of Sumer particularly difficult for its inhabitants?

It lacked natural barriers against invasion and suffered from unpredictable, destructive flooding from the Tigris River.

Which famous Sumerian city is noted for its monumental ziggurat?

Ur.

What was the function and religious significance of a ziggurat?

It was a monumental structure topped with a temple, used for ceremonies, rituals, and sacrifices; it served as the focal point of the city dedicated to a specific god.

How is Sumerian religion described in the transcript?

It was gloomy, reflected the harsh environment, had no clear idea of an afterlife, and involved praying to gods primarily to avoid harm and crop destruction.

What significant transportation tool did Sumerians invent during the fourth millennium BC?

The wheel.

What metallurgical advancement did the Sumerians achieve by mixing copper and tin?

They created the alloy bronze, which produced harder and sharper weapons and tools.

The Sumerian mathematical system was based on which unit?

Units of $60$, which is still used today in geometry, trigonometry, and telling time.

What was the initial form of writing used by Sumerians before cuneiform?

Clay tokens used to represent shipments, taxes, dowries, or inheritances.

What is cuneiform and how was it created?

A script made of small wedge-shaped characters created by pushing a stylus into wet clay; it appeared around the middle of the fourth millennium BCE.

Who was Marduk in Sumerian culture?

One of the most important Sumerian gods; the transcript mentions a 'field of Marduk' that produced crops to support priests.

What was the purpose of a cylinder seal?

An artifact rolled across wet clay or wax to leave symbols demonstrating ownership of goods or shipments.

Who is credited as the world's first emperor?

Sargon, who conquered the Sumerian cities around $2300\,BCE$ and established the Akkadian Empire.

Where was Sargon from, and what was the nature of his people?

Sargon was from Akkad (near present-day Baghdad); the Akkadians were a Semitic people who spoke a language related to modern Arabic and Hebrew.

What led to the collapse of the Akkadian Empire around $2200\,BCE$?

A drought that affected the entire area and made it impossible to grow enough crops.

What is King Hammurabi of Babylon best remembered for?

His law code, which was codified into a single written form on a stela (a large rock pillar).

Who were the primary successors to Sumerian culture mentioned in the lecture?

The Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and the Chaldees (New Babylonians).