Civilization in Sumer

Civilization in Sumer

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

INNOVATION A new way of doing things.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Social Class

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

Merchant Someone who buys or sells goods.

Vocabulary Review 1. Merchant 2. Division of labor 3. Social Class 4. Monarchy 5. Absolute authority 6. Bureaucracy A. A system of government in which a king or queen rules. B. A governing group made up of non elected officials. C. Having complete control.

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

Sumerians are known for several achievements and innovations.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Advances in Farming Sumerians used division of labor in farming.

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.

1. What 5 innovations did Sumerians use to help them in farming? 2. Why was division of labor important in farming? 3. How did wheeled carts help Sumerians in farming?

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

Each city state had the en - king The en held an absolute power SeLling arguments Leading the military Arranging trade DirecMng public events

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

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.

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

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

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

1. What form of government did Sumerians have? 2. Give two ways bureaucracy helped the Sumerian en (king). 3. What led the Sumerians to invent writing?

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

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

Sumerians had three innovations for measuring. 1. Iku (acre)- used to measure land. 2. Quart- used to measure volume. 3. Calendar- used to measure time.

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

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

sailboats Mixed copper and Mn to make bronze tools Potter s wheel

1. What are three Sumerian innovations for measuring? 2. How did Sumerians improve their greatest invention: Writing?

Divisions in Society People in Sumer belonged to different Social Classes. There were three Social classes in Sumer: 1. Ruling Class 2. Middle Class 3. Working Class

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

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.

Divisions in Society Sumerian women held more rights than women of other ancient civilizations. 1. Sumerian women could own a property. 2. Sumerian women could run a business. 3. Sumerian women were taught how to read and write in Cuneiform.

Men Had more rights than women Held all the leadership positions Had more independence Women 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

1. What are the social classes in Sumer? 2. What class has the most members? 3. How are women in Sumer different from women of other ancient civilizations?