1. The Sumerian Civilization

2. The Land of the Lords
Brightness
 Sumer meaning “land of the
lords brightness”, was a
civilization and historical
region in southern
Mesopotamia.
 It is the earliest known
civilization in the world and is
known as the Cradle of
Civilization.
 The Sumerian Civilization
spanned over 3000 years
(starting in the mid
millennium BC).

3. Sumerian Cities
 There were at least 12 cities
such as: Ur, Uruk, Kish,
Lagash.
 These city states were
centered around a temple for
the city’s gods.
 These cities were
surrounded by agriculture.
 One of the reasons that the
Sumerian civilization was so
advanced is because it had it
had extensive trading
networks on land and sea.

4. Religion
 The Sumerians were
extremely religious, all
events were determined
by gods.
 The Monarch was an
agent to god.
 There were religious
duties subject to accept
king’s rule.

5. Class Systems
 The Commoners in Sumerian
were illiterate.
 The Sumerians created a
successful currency system.
 Kings were once elected, but
then their system became
hereditary.
 The Sumerians were
paternalistic, men dominate,
while women in their culture
were low.

6. Art
 They made their works mostly out of clay which was abundant in this
region.
 The Sumerian used sculpture for religious purposes.
 Sumerian religious sculpture included many depictions of naked men in
silent prayer.
 In Sumerian culture, male gods were of higher worship than female gods,
although mortal men and women were depicted as equals.
 Marble and Diorite was also used to make sculpture.
 The Sumerians hammered Gold which was used on sculpture, of only
the gods and goddesses.
 Gold was also found in the tombs of Kings.

8. Architecture
 Sumerians built building using a platform structure,
which started at ground level.
 These temples were made from mud and brick.
 When finished these temples were square shaped.
 There would be three platforms, one on top of the
other.
 The uppermost platform was for the gods. The
middle platform was used for religious purpose.

10. Sumerian Government
 Sumerian government was a monarchy that was
leveled by the priest-king.
 This king had total control, not only over the
military, but also society and state.
 This king would rule through divine rights and
Priests, who the king picked through divine
selection.
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11. Work Cited
http://www.fsitha.com/h1/chp1.htm
http://www.cristalinks.com/
sumereligion.html
http://www.joseph_berryin.triped.com
htty://www.crystalinks.com/
sumereconomy.hyml
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