002Mesopotamia From Nomads to Farmers

Summary

This journal entry tells the story of a young Sumerian girl named Nisaba, detailing the history, innovations, and daily life of ancient Sumer. It covers the transition from hunting to farming, the inventions of the wheel, writing, and the creation of a calendar. Nisaba describes the city-state of Nippur, its sacred temple, and the roles of the priests, king, and other members of society. The entry highlights Sumer’s contributions to agriculture, governance, and religion, offering a rich snapshot of one of the earliest civilizations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sumerians were pioneers in agriculture, transitioning from hunting and gathering to farming and domestication of animals like goats and sheep.
• 🌾 Mesopotamia's fertile land, located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, supported the growth of crops, especially due to seasonal flooding.
• 💧 The Sumerians invented ways to manage river floods, including building levees and creating gated ditches for irrigation.
• 📅 The Sumerians developed a lunar-based calendar to track time, marking important events like floods and seasonal changes.
• ✍️ Writing was invented by the Sumerians, and they created cuneiform script to keep records on clay tablets.
• 🚗 The wheel was another Sumerian invention, which revolutionized transportation and labor.
• 🏙️ Sumerians established city-states with their own kings, and cities like Nippur were considered sacred, dedicated to specific gods.
• 🛕 The zigurat, a stepped pyramid-like structure, served as a temple for Sumerian gods, with priests performing daily ceremonies and rituals.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Sumerian family structure included a strong division of labor, with roles like scribes, merchants, and artisans, while some people worked as slaves.
• ⚖️ The Sumerian king, believed to be chosen by the gods, was responsible for lawmaking, trade, and maintaining the temples. Taxes were also a key part of the economy.

Q & A

What was the main reason Sumerians transitioned from a nomadic lifestyle to settled farming?

Sumerians transitioned to settled farming after discovering they could plant and harvest wheat and tame wild goats and sheep. This allowed them to grow their own food instead of relying on hunting, leading to a more stable and reliable food source.

Why is the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers particularly suitable for farming?

The region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known as Mesopotamia, is ideal for farming due to its fertile soil. The melting snow from the northern mountains feeds the rivers, which flood the valley and deposit nutrient-rich silt, enhancing the land's productivity.

How did the Sumerians control the flooding of the rivers and ensure successful crop production?

The Sumerians controlled river flooding by building levees, which were earth barriers to prevent floods. Additionally, they created gated ditches around their fields to direct water when needed, ensuring that their crops received water during dry spells.

What is the significance of the Sumerian calendar based on the moon and stars?

The Sumerian calendar, based on the moon and stars, allowed people to predict when the floods would come. It was the first known calendar of its kind, with 12 months of 30 days each, helping Sumerians track time and plan agricultural activities.

How did Sumerians use writing in their daily lives, and what was its impact?

Sumerians invented writing to keep track of various records, such as sales, trades, and laws. They used a stylus to inscribe symbols on clay tablets, which allowed them to preserve information for future reference and make records permanent.

What role did the wheel play in Sumerian society?

The invention of the wheel revolutionized transport and labor in Sumer. It allowed the creation of carts, making it easier to move goods and materials, improving trade and agriculture.

What is the importance of the ziggurat in the Sumerian city-state of Nippur?

The ziggurat in Nippur, dedicated to the god Enlil, was the center of religious life and a symbol of the city’s sacredness. It housed the temple where Enlil was believed to reside, and it was a focal point of worship and offerings.

What are the different social classes in Sumer, and how were they organized?

Sumerian society was organized into different social classes. The highest were priests, followed by the king and his officials, then merchants, craftsmen, and farmers. Slaves were at the bottom, either captured in war or owing money.

How did Sumerians contribute to the development of governance and taxation?

Sumerians developed a system of governance with kings, priests, and scribes to maintain records. They also implemented taxes on livestock, fish, and even funerals, which funded the military and the city's maintenance and improvement.

What was the role of religion in Sumerian daily life, and how did it influence their laws and governance?

Religion was central to Sumerian life, with each city-state dedicated to a specific god. Sumerians believed the gods controlled everything, including the land and its resources. The king was seen as chosen by the gods, and laws were thought to be divinely ordained. Religious practices, such as offerings and prayers, were vital to ensuring prosperity.