Sumerian Civilization

4000-1750

What makes the location of

the Fertile Crescent special?

MAJOR CITY-STATES

Ur

Erech

Kish

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

•First known civilization in ancient Middle East.

•Consisted of several independent city-states (large town and countryside cooperating for mutual defense with own government and rulers).

built dykes and canals

defensive walls (stored food for attack)

built ziggurats (home or temple of city’s god) in shape of step-pyramid

– unique city-god worshipped (farmer’s gave 2/3 harvest to temple)

– priests ruled city in name of gods, later replaced by military leaders

Developed cuneiform to assist in keeping records, especially for trade. Established schools for scribes - harsh discipline.

First people to use wheel, wheeled cart and sail enabling merchants to engage in long-distance trade.

Developed a 12-month calendar based on seasons for farming

Introduced concept of irrigation and planted trees as wind-breaks

Created a system of arithmetic based on number 60 (used in our modern circles and clocks)

Rivaling City-States constantly at war with one another - developed chariot .

UR

Sumerian City-State

(2500-2400 BC)

The City-State of Ur was founded sometime in the 6th millennium B.C. and occupied for perhaps five thousand years.

Why was its location so important?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4uuoHc6k9w&list=PL97280C98CCB3ADA9&scrlybrkr=16f3ab67

In 1920s, Leonard Woolley found a cemetery containing about 1800 burials, 16 of these as "royal".

How do we know they were “royal”?

The most elaborate (and unrobbed) grave was that of Queen Puabi. The tomb featured a vaulted chamber set at the bottom of a deep "death pit"; the lady was buried lying on a wooden bier.

• remains of five men dressed in armor

• a wooden sled drawn by a pair of oxen

• 12 female attendants and musicians holding their harps.

• Each of the attendants carried stone or clay cups.

Why did each

attendant

carry a cup?

Sumerian Daily Life

Clothing - Sumerian men went bare-chested and barefooted, wearing a form of kilt. Later they wore shirt dress. Women wore fitted dresses and elaborate headgear.

Beauty - consisted of heavily made-up eyes, faces and hands (men and women). Kings wear false beards to look more dignified. Women would paint their faces white like masks and color cheeks and lips bright red.

Why would this extreme paleness be attractive?

What is modern America’s view of attractiveness and health?

Food - unleavened bread, onions, beans, garlic, lentils, goats, milk, butter, dates, and fish

Beer - main beverage - 19 different types

This tablet was taken by astronauts in the 1989 mission of the space shuttle Discovery. Representing the oldest human artifact to have traveled in space. The tablet lists rations for messengers undertaking a journey:

For Bama: 5 qts. beer; 5 qts bread; 5 oz onions; 3 oz oil; 2 oz alkali For Baza: the menial: same amount For Su-Esdar: 10 qts beer; 10 qtz bread; 5 oz onions; 3 oz oil; 2 oz alkali

Cuneiform Tablets:

'Cuneiform' means 'wedge-shaped' because the inscriptions were made by pressing the triangular tip of a reed or a stick (stylus) into wet clay tablets.

At first there were over 2000 different signs, but the Sumerians gradually reduced their 'alphabet' to about 600 symbols.

•Most tablets would not have been preserved – simply reused.

•Important tablets were allowed to dry in the sun. Like this one describing the Gilgamesh Epic.

•Others preserved in accidental fires.

COMPARISON OF GENESIS AND GILGAMESH  GENESIS GILGAMESH

Extent of flood Global Global

CauseMan's

wickednessMan's sins

Intended for whom?

All mankind One city & all mankind

Sender Yahweh Assembly of "gods"Name of hero Noah Utnapishtim

Hero's character Righteous RighteousMeans of

announcementDirect from

GodIn a dream

Ordered to build boat?

Yes Yes

Did hero complain?

Yes Yes

Height of boatSeveral

stories (3)Several stories (6)

Compartments inside?

Many Many

Doors One OneWindows At least one At least one

Outside coating Pitch PitchShape of boat Rectangular Square

Human passengers

Family members

onlyFamily & few others

Other passengersAll species of animals

All species of animals

Means of floodGround water &

heavy rainHeavy rain

Duration of flood

Long (40 days &

nights plus)Short (6 days & nights)

Test to find landRelease of

birdsRelease of birds

Types of birdsRaven &

three dovesDove, swallow, raven

Ark landing spotMountain -- Mt. Ararat

Mountain -- Mt. Nisir

Sacrificed after flood?

Yes, by Noah

Yes, by Utnapishtim

Blessed after flood?

Yes Yes