Sumerians and their Civilization Explained in 7 Minutes

Summary

The ancient Sumerians, originating around 6500 BC in southern Mesopotamia, were the earliest civilization with significant influence on the ancient Middle East. They pioneered writing, schooling, organized religion, and lawmaking. Their society was highly religious and agricultural, with early forms of democracy. They developed various technologies, including the wheel and cuneiform script, and contributed to mathematics, introducing arithmetic and geometry. Their mythology, with its unique view of the afterlife and gods, influenced many world myths.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Sumerians are recognized as the earliest developed civilization in recorded history.
• 🌟 They are credited with many 'firsts' including the first kingdom, city-states, and writing system.
• 🗓️ The Sumerian civilization existed from around 6500 BC to 4100 BC.
• 🌾 They were a highly religious, agricultural society that valued art, culture, and the written word.
• 🏙️ The Sumerians originated in southern Mesopotamia, in parts of modern-day Iraq and Kuwait.
• 🔍 Their early political structure included a form of democracy with elected officials.
• 👥 Sumerians had a diverse range of professions, from scribes to craftsmen, but some jobs were less desirable.
• 🛠️ They were innovators in technology, inventing the wheel, pickaxe, and early forms of transportation.
• 📚 The Sumerians had a developed education system that included mathematics, with contributions to arithmetic and geometry.
• 🌐 Their foreign policy was complex, involving conflicts and influences with neighboring regions.
• 🌌 Sumerian mythology and religion had a significant impact on world culture, including creation myths and the concept of an afterlife.

Q & A

Who are the Sumerians and what is their significance in history?

The Sumerians were one of the earliest civilizations in recorded history, starting around 6500 BC and ending around 4100 BC. They are known for pioneering many areas of expertise such as the first kingdom, city-states, writing, schooling, organized religion, lawmaking, art, and literature. Their accomplishments and innovations influenced the entirety of the ancient Middle East and beyond.

What geographical region did the Sumerian civilization occupy?

The Sumerians lived in southern Mesopotamia, in parts of modern-day Iraq and Kuwait. Their civilization was situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and the Persian Gulf to the southeast.

What was the political structure of the Sumerian city-states?

The Sumerian city-states initially enjoyed a level of democracy with most major government positions being elected. However, as warfare and clashes with neighboring tribes increased, a need for a single ruler arose, leading to the establishment of a king or 'lugal' in Sumerian.

What were the various professions available to an ancient Sumerian?

Ancient Sumerians had a wide array of professions to choose from, including priests, scribes, members of royalty, minor noblemen, sculptors, jewelers, lapidaries, carpenters, smiths, leather workers, Fullers, basket makers, and builders.

What is the significance of the cuneiform script developed by the Sumerians?

The cuneiform script is one of the earliest writing systems and was highly influential, becoming widespread throughout the ancient Middle East. It was in use for over five millennia after its invention.

How did the Sumerians contribute to the field of mathematics?

The Sumerians were instrumental in the development of arithmetic and geometry, primarily for practical uses such as measurement and accountancy.

What was the Sumerians' lunar and solar calendar used for?

The Sumerians were among the first to use a lunar and solar calendar, which was later implemented in cultures both east and west of Mesopotamia.

How did the Sumerians' foreign policy affect their relationships with neighboring nations?

The Sumerians had a complicated relationship with their neighbors, marked by battles, hostile takeovers, and other conflicts. Despite this, nearly all of these groups were significantly influenced by Sumerian civilization.

What were the key aspects of Sumerian religion and mythology?

Sumerian religion and mythology included a pantheon of gods, creation myths, the concept of an afterlife in 'Kur', and the judgment of the dead by the Sun God Utu and the Moon God Nanna. Many elements of Sumerian mythology correspond to myths found in other cultures around the world.

What was the Sumerians' view of the afterlife?

According to Sumerian mythology, after death, a person would go to 'Kur', the underworld. Interestingly, it was not a place of eternal darkness but was illuminated by the moon, providing daylight to the dead.

What is the significance of the Sumerian civilization in the context of world culture?

The Sumerian civilization is significant to world culture as many elements of their myths, religious beliefs, and innovations have influenced and are present in numerous cultures globally.

Outlines

00:00

🏛️ Origins and Achievements of Sumerian Civilization

The Sumerians, originating around 6500 BC and lasting until 4100 BC, are recognized as the earliest developed civilization in recorded history. They are credited with numerous 'firsts' such as the first kingdom, city-states, and even early forms of democracy and autocracy. They significantly contributed to writing, education, religion, law, art, and literature. Despite being an agricultural society with a focus on art and the written word, they were also highly religious. Their civilization was located in southern Mesopotamia, between the Tigris, Euphrates rivers, and the Persian Gulf. The Sumerians started as city-states with a democratic system where positions were elected. However, due to warfare and external threats, a need for a single ruler emerged, leading to the rise of kings. The society was stratified, with upper classes including priests, scribes, royalty, and craftsmen such as sculptors and builders. Their technological advancements included the wheel, pickaxe, and early forms of writing known as cuneiform. Mathematics was integral to their education system, and they developed arithmetic and geometry for practical applications. They also introduced the lunar-solar calendar.

05:01

🌌 Sumerian Mythology and its Global Impact

The mythology of the Sumerians is integral to understanding world culture. Many elements of Sumerian myths, such as creation stories, the great flood, and the concept of gods, are echoed in various world mythologies. The Sumerians envisioned the heavens as domes made of precious stones and believed in an afterlife in 'Kur,' their underworld. Uniquely, Kur was not eternally dark but was illuminated by the moon, allowing daylight. The dead were judged by the Sun God, Utu, and the Moon God, Nanna. Those judged righteous would live in bliss, while the unfavorably judged would suffer eternally. This paragraph also promotes a book on Sumerian history and mythology and encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and claim a free ebook on mythology.

Keywords

💡Sumerians

The Sumerians were one of the earliest civilizations in recorded history, starting around 6500 BC and ending around 4100 BC. They are credited with numerous innovations and are foundational to many aspects of civilization as we know it. In the video, they are described as pioneers in writing, schooling, organized religion, lawmaking, art, and literature, which highlights their significant role in shaping human culture and society.

💡Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia, often referred to as the 'cradle of civilization,' is the area in which the Sumerian civilization was located, encompassing parts of modern-day Iraq and Kuwait. The region was situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which were vital for agriculture and trade. The video emphasizes the geographical significance of Mesopotamia in the development of early civilizations.

💡City-states

The Sumerian civilization was composed of numerous city-states, which were like independent city governments. These city-states were the political and cultural centers of the Sumerian civilization. The video mentions that these city-states either dominated the region, were enslaved by others, or acted independently, indicating the dynamic political landscape of the time.

💡Democracy

The Sumerians are noted for having a form of democracy, where most major government positions were elected. This is a significant point in the video, as it shows that the Sumerians had a more egalitarian society compared to other ancient civilizations that were predominantly autocratic. It also suggests that democratic principles have ancient roots.

💡Cuneiform

Cuneiform is the earliest known form of writing, invented by the Sumerians. The script was used to record various aspects of Sumerian life, including legal and administrative documents. The video highlights the importance of cuneiform as it became widespread throughout the ancient Middle East and was in use for over five millennia.

💡Innovations

The Sumerians are recognized for their many innovations, such as the wheel, the pickaxe, and different types of land and water vessels. These innovations had a profound impact on the development of technology and civilization. The video underscores the Sumerians' role as innovators, setting the stage for future technological advancements.

💡Religion

Religion played a central role in Sumerian society. The video describes their religious beliefs, including their view of the afterlife and the gods they worshipped. The Sumerians' religious practices and mythology had a lasting influence on later cultures, indicating the deep connection between religious beliefs and cultural development.

💡Agriculture

As a highly religious and agricultural society, the Sumerians placed great emphasis on farming. Their location between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers allowed for irrigation, which was crucial for their agricultural success. The video mentions agriculture as a mundane but vital aspect of their society, highlighting the importance of farming to their economy and way of life.

💡Mathematics

The Sumerians are credited with developing arithmetic and geometry, which were integral to their schooling system. These mathematical concepts were used for practical purposes such as measurement and accountancy. The video points out the significance of mathematics in the Sumerian civilization, showing how it was intertwined with their daily lives and administrative functions.

💡Calendar

The Sumerians were among the first to use a lunar-solar calendar, which was later adopted by many other cultures. This calendar system was essential for tracking time and organizing agricultural activities. The video emphasizes the practical application of the calendar and its influence on subsequent civilizations.

💡Mythology

Sumerian mythology is rich and complex, with stories that have parallels in many world mythologies. The video discusses how Sumerian myths, such as the creation of man and the great flood, have influenced global cultural narratives. Understanding Sumerian mythology is crucial for grasping the broader context of world mythology and the shared human experience.

Highlights

Ancient Sumerians were the earliest developed civilization in recorded history.

They pioneered writing, schooling, organized religion, lawmaking, art, and literature.

The Sumerian civilization started circa 6500 BC and ended around 4100 BC.

They influenced ancient Middle East and cultures such as Egypt, Greece, Rome, and Ethiopia.

Sumerians were highly religious and agricultural, with an emphasis on art and the written word.

They originated from simpler hunter-gatherer societies based on the Bronze Age.

Sumerians were innovative, inventive, and imaginative, with parallels to modern societies.

Sumerians lived in southern Mesopotamia, in parts of modern Iraq and Kuwait.

Their civilization was a collection of city-states between the Tigris, Euphrates rivers, and the Persian Gulf.

Sumerian city-states initially enjoyed a level of democracy with elected government positions.

The rise of a single ruler was necessitated by warfare and clashes with barbaric tribes.

Sumerians had a wide array of professions, including priests, scribes, royalty, and craftsmen.

Academic and theological professions were highly sought after among Sumerians.

Sumerian technology and inventions included the wheel, pickaxe, and various land and water vessels.

Cuneiform script was the earliest writing system and was widespread throughout the ancient Middle East.

Mathematics was a major part of Sumerian schooling, with arithmetic and geometry for practical uses.

The Sumerians were the first to use the lunar solar calendar, later implemented in other cultures.

Sumerian foreign policy involved complex relations with neighbors, including battles and cultural influence.

Sumerian religion and mythology are of vital importance to world culture.

Sumerian mythology included the creation of man, the great flood, and the concept of an afterlife in kur.

The Sumerians envisioned the heavens as domes made of precious stones.

The Sumerian underworld, kur, was illuminated by the moon, allowing daylight for the dead.

Transcripts

this video is brought to you by

captivating history most scholars around

the world agree that the ancient

Sumerians were the earliest developed

civilization in our recorded history

they are the culture that gave us a lot

of firsts the first kingdom and then

Empire the first city-states the 1st

democracy the first autocracy they

pioneered writing schooling organized

religion lawmaking art and literature

yes the Sumerians were the first in many

areas of expertise who were the

Sumerians the Sumerians were a

civilization that started circa 6500 BC

and ended around 40 100 BC this

civilization would go on to influence

the entirety of the ancient Middle East

and their accomplishments and

innovations echo and diverse ancient

cultures such as Egypt Greece Rome

Ethiopia and more from a practical

mundane standpoint they were highly

religious agricultural society they put

great emphasis on art culture and the

written word as is the case with all

cultures they developed from simpler

hunter-gatherer societies based on the

Bronze Age site scattered about the area

that comprised ancient Sumer they were

an innovative inventive imaginative

people and interestingly enough had

parallels with even modern day societies

in both positive and negative aspects of

their daily lives where did the

Sumerians live the area where the

earliest civilization lived took up the

territory of southern Mesopotamia in

parts of modern Iraq in Kuwait

it is nestled between two important

rivers for the region the Tigris and the

Euphrates as well as the Persian Gulf to

the southeast their earliest countries

were numerous city-states that depending

on the time period either dominated the

region were enslaved by other cities or

even other people's or acted

independently rule from their earliest

days the Sumerian city-states actually

enjoyed a level of democracy not unlike

the one we have today in the Western

world most major government positions

were elected rather than

in a council made important decisions

regarding critical state matters it was

only during increasing warfare between

the city states as well as clashes with

the barbaric tribes from both the east

and the west of Sumer that the need for

a single ruler arose and this was when

the King or lougle big man and Sumerian

would take control an ancient Sumerian

had a vast array of professions to

choose from

we should differentiate between two

groups the first includes the Sumerian

upper classes in the second includes

their plebs depending on how you were

born or what you did during your life in

Sumer you could jump between these two

groups jobs and professions the high

class Sumerians for the most part who

are other priests scribes members of

royalty or minor noblemen in terms of

craftsmen we find a wide array of

professions there were sculptors

jewelers lapidaries carpenters Smith's

leather workers Fuller's basket makers

builders et cetera based on the works of

ancient Sumerians crimes these were not

sought-after professions and most

children and their parents with high

aspirations were encouraged to pursue

academic or theological professions

Sumerian technology and inventions vast

and diverse areas of Technology

including transportation tools war

hunting agriculture and brewing have

their origins in ancient Sumer the wheel

the pickaxe and the different types of

land and water vessels are only the tip

of the iceberg the crew nough formed

script is by far the earliest writing

system and it was so influential that it

became widespread throughout the ancient

Middle East and was even in use until

around the 1st century BC a whole 5 plus

millennia after its invention

mathematics was a major part of the

Sumerian schooling system they

single-handedly birthed arithmetic and

geometry largely for practical uses like

measurement in accountancy I also need

to mention the first use of the lunar

solar calendar later to be implemented

in cultures both east and west of

mesopotamia sumerian foreign

policy relations with other nations as

is the case with modern-day nations the

sumerians relationship with their

immediate neighbors was a complicated

one there was no shortage of bloody

battles coos hostile takeovers hostile

Liberation's submissions and

destructions however nearly all of these

groups were influenced by the Sumerians

in no small way and considering how

geographically distant they were from

the prominent Sumerian city-states that

speaks volumes of just how influential

the first civilization of the world

really was the religion and mythology of

ancient Sumerians understanding this

particular aspect of the ancient

Sumerians is of vital importance to

world culture in general and no this is

not a statement made lightly most of

what we see in the ancient myths of

Sumer either directly or partially

corresponds to numerous world myths the

hierarchy and behavior of gods the

creation of man the great flood the

Giants the creation myths all of these

were present in Sumerian mythology first

the Sumerians envisioned the heavens as

domes made of different precious stones

whenever a Sumerian would die according

to mythology they would go directly to

kur an interesting concept that is

almost unique to the Sumerians is that

their underworld isn't necessarily the

place of eternal darkness as the Sun

sets and gives way to the moon on the

surface it would actually illuminate kur

essentially bringing daylight to it

within the realm of ur s giggle the dead

would be judged by the Sun God

mu tou and at times even his father the

moon got Nana those judged righteous

would go on to live in bliss for

eternity those judged unfavorably would

suffer for an eternity there you have it

Sumerian civilization explained in seven

minutes obviously a lot went on toll

here so to discover more about this

fascinating civilization check out our

new book Sumerians a captivating guide

to ancient Sumerian history Sumerian

mythology in the Mesopotamian Empire of

the sumaré civilization also please hit

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