Sumer GRAPES Guide

Sumer'sCivilization Guide

Sumer is considered the Cradle of Civilization because it was the first civilization. Learn how Sumer developed into an organized civilization.

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G.R.A.P.E.S.

Religion

Geography

After the Neolithic Age, society becomes more organized and develops into civilizations. The following are characteristics that influence the success of civilizations. Explore each characterstics of GRAPES to learn how Sumer developed into the first civilization.

Politics

Achievements

Social Class

Economy

Geography

Geography

Sumer is a region located in Southwest Asia. This region is in the southernmost region of Mesopotamia and makes up land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers right before they flow into the Persian Gulf. The landscape of Sumer is flat, marshy land. The climate is dry and it receives little rainfall. Agriculture was successful here due to the fertile soil from the marsh lands mixed with access to water from the rivers.

Religion

The Sumerians created an organized religion that worshipped many gods, this practice is known as polytheism. Different gods represented the various parts of nature. This is how the people explained how the world worked.

AN

Supreme God

Enlil

God of wind, earth & storms

Enki

God of the ocean

Utu

God of the Sun

nanna

God of the Moon

Each city-state in Sumer worshipped one god over the others. To worship these gods, Sumerians built a pyramid shaped temple known as a ziggurat. Eventually, kings rose to power claiming they were chosen by the gods.

Achievements

Since Sumer was the first civilization, they were the first to develop many inventions and ideas.

Multiplication Tables

Pottery

Copper

Cuneiform - writing system

Plow

Bricks

Astronomy

Wheel

Politics

The region of Sumer was controlled by independent city-states. This means that each city was in charge of themselves. Eventually, each city-state was led by a king. At times, city-states would be peaceful and trade, while at other times they would wage war against each other.

Economy

Exported: Grain (barley) Wool Oils

Imported: Wood Stone Copper

Traded with: Indus Civilization (east) Lebanon (northwest) Oman (southeast)

Sumerian economy was based on natural resources. Since little natural resources were available in Sumer, Sumerians were dependent on trading with neighboring lands.

Social Class

King

Had a personal connection with the gods.

Priests

Carried out important rituals and maintained the temples.

Merchants

Owned businesses, some traveled to other lands to trade.

Farmers

Grew crops that the city depended upon.

A slave could have been a captured solder, a criminal or someone who owed money. Some slaves could also gain their freedom.

Slaves

This is a social class pyramid that shows the roles in Sumer. Social class was important because it maintained order in society. While these were not the only jobs available, most people fell into one of these categories.

Video

Watch the following video about the history of Sumer.