Sumerian Empire DP Flashcards
Where was the Sumerian civilization located?
Southern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq)
What was the primary river system in Sumer?
Tigris and Euphrates Rivers
What type of writing system did the Sumerians develop?
Cuneiform
What were Sumerian temples called?
Ziggurats
What was the main occupation of most Sumerians?
Agriculture (farming)
What were some important Sumerian inventions?
The wheel, the plow, the sailboat
What was the most famous Sumerian epic poem?
The Epic of Gilgamesh
What was the primary religion of the Sumerians?
Polytheism
Who were the main Sumerian gods?
An, Enlil, Enki, Inanna
What were Sumerian cities known for?
Independent city-states
What was the primary building material used by the Sumerians?
Mudbrick
What was the purpose of irrigation canals in Sumer?
To water crops
How did Sumerians transport goods over long distances?
By river and overland trade routes
What were some of the Sumerian artistic achievements?
Sculpture, pottery, and jewelry
What were some of the Sumerian social classes?
Rulers, priests, scribes, farmers, artisans, slaves
What role did women play in Sumerian society?
Could own property, engage in trade, and hold some political positions
What were some common Sumerian foods?
Bread, beer, dates, fish
What was the purpose of Sumerian laws?
To maintain order and justice
How did Sumerian society influence later civilizations?
Through trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of their inventions
When did the Sumerian civilization flourish?
Around 4500 to 2334 BCE
What is the modern-day name for the region where Sumer was located?
Mesopotamia
What were Sumerian temples used for?
Religious ceremonies, offerings to the gods, and administrative purposes
What was the significance of the ziggurat in Sumerian society?
It was the center of religious and political life in a city
How did Sumerians record information?
By writing on clay tablets with a stylus
What were some of the challenges faced by the Sumerians?
Floods, droughts, and invasions from neighboring peoples
What does the term ‘Mesopotamia’ mean?
‘Land between the rivers’
What was the importance of the Euphrates River to the Sumerians?
A source of water for irrigation and transportation
What was the role of the king in Sumerian society?
Ruler, religious leader, and chief administrator
How did Sumerian civilization decline?
A series of invasions and internal conflicts weakened the city-states
What is the legacy of the Sumerian civilization?
Their inventions, innovations, and cultural achievements laid the foundation for later civilizations in the region.
Who eventually invaded the Sumerian empire?
The Akkadians, led by Sargon of Akkad, conquered the Sumerian city-states around 2334 BCE.
