The Sumerians

1
The Sumerians

• The Black haired people

2
An advanced society

• Sumerians first settled in Mesopotamia c.3000BC
• Considered the 1st advanced society in the world

3
Lifestyle in Sumer

• Most people were farmers who lived in rural areas
• Center of Sumerian society was located in urban,
  or city areas
• City-state is the city and countryside around it
• The size of the city-state depended on the size
  of the military

4
Sumerian City-State
5
Early Sumerian Rival

• The Akkadians were a society located north of
  Sumer in Mesopotamia.
• At first the two were friendly with each..but
  friendships never last.
• Sargon the Great was an Akkadian ruler who
  defeated the Sumerians and created the 1st
  Mesopotamian empire.
• This was accomplished because he was the 1st to
  have a standing army.

6
The Fall of the Akkadians

• Sargon ruled for 50 years before his death.
• The empire did not last without its great
  leaderThis seems to be a reoccurring theme in
  the fall of empires.
• With the fall of the Akkadians, the Sumerians
  once again became the most powerful civilization
  in the region.

7
Sumerian Society

• Religion was the most important aspect of
  Sumerian culture.
• The Sumerians were polytheistic (worship of many
  gods).
• They worshipped elemental gods and
  goddesses...earth, wind, water, and fire

8
The gods must be crazy!

• The Sumerians believed the gods had enormous
  powers.
• They believed if they pleased the gods then in
  turn the gods would bestow good harvest, health,
  and wealth upon themIn other words, please the
  gods and you will be successful.

9
Sumerian Social Hierarchy
10
Gender Roles

• Men
• Held political power
• Made laws
• Were more educated
• Usually had religious positions (priests)

• Women
• Took care of the home and children
• If part of the upper class could be educated as
  well
• Few had religious positions (priestess)