Overview
This lecture explores the rise and fall of Sumerian civilization in Mesopotamia, highlighting their innovations, daily life, religious beliefs, economy, and eventual decline.
Origins and Geography of Mesopotamia
- Mesopotamia, meaning "land between two rivers," lies between the Tigris and Euphrates in modern-day Iraq.
- Fertile soil from river floods enabled early agriculture but also caused destructive floods.
- The Sumerians settled and thrived due to irrigation and the domestication of einkorn wheat from Anatolia.
Sumerian Innovations and Urbanization
- Sumerians invented writing (cuneiform), the wheel, and divided time into minutes and seconds.
- They constructed large cities like Ur, complete with temples (ziggurats), markets, and advanced irrigation systems.
- Fired brick and tar were used for durable construction and waterproofing.
Economy, Trade, and Technology
- Irrigation and canal systems allowed for productive agriculture and surplus crop yields.
- Major crops included wheat, barley, and millet; palm trees flourished in irrigated oases.
- Sumerians established long-distance trade routes for resources like wood and lapis lazuli, using caravans and river transport.
- The concept of contracts and cylinder seals facilitated commerce and legal transactions.
Society, Daily Life, and Artisanship
- Cities housed a range of social classes: priests, merchants, artisans, scribes, and slaves.
- Homes were built of mud brick; people slept on rooftops for coolness.
- Sumerian goldsmiths created elaborate jewelry, musical instruments, and ceremonial items.
- Art and literature flourished, seen in surviving artifacts like the Standard of Ur.
Religion, Myth, and Governance
- Sumerian religion featured a pantheon of gods, each associated with a city and natural force.
- Temples functioned as centers of worship, political power, and economic activity.
- Myths such as the Epic of Gilgamesh reflect beliefs about life, death, and humanity’s struggle with nature.
- Early legal codes, such as inherited by Hammurabi, set laws for daily life, contracts, and justice.
Decline and Legacy
- Over-irrigation caused salt to accumulate in the soil, leading to declining crop yields and economic hardship.
- Environmental changes, invasions, and competition from northern cities contributed to Sumer's fall around 2004 BC.
- The Sumerians influenced later civilizations with their inventions, urban culture, and legal systems.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Mesopotamia — Region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, cradle of civilization.
- Sumerians — People of southern Mesopotamia, innovators in writing, law, and urban planning.
- Cuneiform — System of wedge-shaped writing invented by the Sumerians.
- Ziggurat — Terraced temple tower central to Sumerian cities.
- Cylinder seal — Engraved stone rolled on clay to mark contracts and goods.
- Epic of Gilgamesh — Sumerian epic poem recounting the adventures of the king Gilgamesh.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the characteristics of Sumerian society and their technological achievements.
- Read excerpts from the Epic of Gilgamesh for insights into Sumerian worldview.
- Study the Code of Hammurabi and its relationship to Sumerian laws.