City States
Name ONE famous Sumerian city-state.
Uruk, Ur, Lagash, or Kish
What was the Sumerians' writing system called?
Cuneiform
What is the belief in many gods called?
Polytheism.
What invention helped Sumerians transport objects?
The wheel.
Who was at the top of Sumerian society?
Kings and queens.
What made Sumerian city-states different from an empire?
They were independent states that often competed with each other.
What material did Sumerians write on?
Wet Clay
What were the giant temples built by the Sumerians called?
Ziggurats.
What invention allowed craftspeople to produce pottery faster?
The wheel.
Who held the second-highest position in Sumerian society?
Priests.
What two rivers did Sumerians use for irrigation?
The Tigris and Euphrates
What tool did scribes use to make wedge-shaped marks?
A stylus.
What did Sumerians give to their gods at the ziggurats?
Food and gifts.
What type of boats allowed Sumerians to use wind for transportation?
Sailboats.
Who was at the bottom of the Sumerian social order?
Slaves.
What was the title given to a Sumerian priest-king or general?
Ensi or lugal.
What were scribes responsible for recording?
Trade, taxes, and laws.
Why did priests perform rituals and sacrifices?
To keep the gods happy and protect their cities.
What type of clock used falling water to measure time?
A water clock.
Name TWO groups that were part of the working class.
Farmers and laborers.
What eventually brought the competing Sumerian city-states together?
The Akkadian Empire.
Around what year did Sumerians develop cuneiform?
Around 3200 BCE.
What did Sumerians believe their gods controlled?
Nature, including the sky, water, and storms.
What number was the basis of Sumerian mathematics?
60.
Name TWO rights that Sumerian women could have.
They could own land, run businesses, buy and sell goods, or serve as priestesses or court officials.