Rise and Fall of Sumer and the Akkadian empire

Summary

The script delves into the origins of the Sumerian civilization and the Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia, highlighting the significance of rivers in early civilizations. It discusses the development of agriculture, trade, and the rise of the first cities, leading to the creation of governments and organized religions. The Sumerians are credited with early advancements in writing, the wheel, and various technologies. The narrative also covers the rise and fall of powerful rulers like Lugalzagesi and Sargon of Akkad, who established the first empire in history. The script concludes with the resurgence of the Sumerians and the eventual rise of Babylon.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The Sumerian civilization and the Akkadian Empire both originated in Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.
• 🌊 Rivers played a crucial role in the development of early civilizations by providing water, hunting grounds, and fertile soil for agriculture.
• 📘 Sumerians are known for inventing cuneiform, one of the earliest forms of writing, used for record-keeping, laws, and literature.
• 🛤️ Unlike other rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates were difficult to navigate and required extensive irrigation systems, often manned by slaves.
• 🏙️ The development of agriculture led to the formation of the first cities, where food surpluses and trade emerged, leading to the establishment of governments and social hierarchies.
• 📜 The Epic of Gilgamesh is an important Sumerian literary work, possibly based on the historical King Gilgamesh of Uruk.
• 🛒 Sumerians contributed significantly to human progress with innovations such as the wheel, astronomy, the kiln, the plow, irrigation, bronze working, and mathematics.
• 🏰 Sumerian city-states were culturally similar but politically independent, often engaging in conflicts for power and control.
• 🏛️ Ziggurats were central religious and learning institutions in Sumerian cities, reflecting the importance of religion and priesthood.
• 🤴 Lugalzagesi of Umma was a significant ruler who conquered several city-states and attempted to unify Sumer, but his reign was short-lived.
• 👑 Sargon of Akkad, of non-Sumerian descent, is noted as the world's first emperor, who established a centralized government and expanded the empire through conquest and diplomacy.

Q & A

What is the significance of the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in the context of ancient civilizations?

The land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, known as Mesopotamia, is significant as it was the cradle of two of the earliest civilizations, the Sumerian civilization and the Akkadian Empire. Its fertile soil, deposited by the rivers' floods, was ideal for agriculture, which led to the development of complex societies.

Why were early civilizations often located near rivers or coastal areas?

Early civilizations were often located near rivers or coastal areas because these water sources provided fresh water, places to hunt and fish, and fertile soil from seasonal floods, which were essential for agriculture and sustaining large populations.

What challenges did the rivers Tigris and Euphrates present for the early inhabitants of Mesopotamia?

The Tigris and Euphrates presented challenges such as difficulty in navigation and unpredictable flooding. This necessitated the constant improvement of irrigation systems and the construction of dams and canals to manage water for agriculture.

How did the development of agriculture in Mesopotamia lead to the rise of cities and complex societies?

The development of agriculture allowed for food surpluses, which meant people could settle in one place rather than constantly hunt and gather. This led to the formation of cities, the creation of trade, and the emergence of governments, organized religions, and rulers who could provide protection and order.

What is cuneiform, and why is it significant in the history of writing?

Cuneiform is one of the earliest systems of writing, developed by the Sumerian civilization. It was inscribed on clay tablets for record-keeping, laws, and literature, making it a significant milestone in the history of written communication.

What is the 'Epic of Gilgamesh', and why is it considered important in literature?

The 'Epic of Gilgamesh' is an ancient Sumerian poem that is considered one of the earliest surviving great works of literature. It is loosely based on the historical King Gilgamesh of Uruk and provides insights into the culture, beliefs, and values of the Sumerian civilization.

How were the city-states of Sumer different from each other, and what role did religion play in their governance?

The city-states of Sumer were similar in culture but were independent of each other, each having its own protective deity. Religion played a significant role in governance, as priests were important figures who could mediate with the gods and influence the people.

What was the significance of the ziggurats in Sumerian cities, and what role did they play in society?

Ziggurats were temple complexes at the center of Sumerian cities, serving as the center of both religious activities and learning. They symbolized the connection between the earthly and divine realms and were important architectural achievements of the time.

Who was Lugal-zaggisi, and what was his impact on the city-states of Sumer?

Lugal-zaggisi was a ruler who came to power in the city of Umma and assumed the title 'King of the Land'. He is known for his conquests and diplomacy that brought many city-states under his rule, creating a period of relative unity in Sumer.

How did Sargon of Akkad rise to power, and what was his contribution to the history of Mesopotamia?

Sargon of Akkad, a self-made man of non-Sumerian descent, rose to power by usurping Lugal-zaggisi and becoming the first emperor to hold the title. He unified Mesopotamia into one empire, established a centralized government, and promoted cultural integration, paving the way for future empires.

What were the factors that led to the decline and fall of the Akkadian Empire?

The Akkadian Empire declined due to internal strife, forced integration that led to revolts, and external invasions by nomadic groups such as the Gutians. The empire eventually collapsed, and the region returned to a state of independent city-states.

What was the role of Ur-Nammu in the resurgence of Sumerian power after the fall of the Akkadian Empire?

Ur-Nammu played a crucial role in the resurgence of Sumerian power by overthrowing the Gutians and restoring order. He established the Third Dynasty of Ur, which expanded beyond traditional Sumerian lands and brought about a period of stability and prosperity.

Outlines

00:00

🏺 The Dawn of Civilizations in Mesopotamia

The script discusses the origins of the Sumerian civilization and the Akkadian Empire in Mesopotamia, a region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It highlights the significance of rivers in the development of early civilizations, providing essential resources for agriculture, which in turn led to the establishment of cities, trade, and governments. The Sumerians are credited with the invention of cuneiform writing, the wheel, and various technological and mathematical advancements. The text also describes the city-states' political structure, the importance of ziggurats, and the rise of powerful rulers like Lugalzagesi, who unified Sumer through conquest and diplomacy.

05:01

👑 The Rise and Fall of Empires in Ancient Mesopotamia

This paragraph delves into the story of Sargon of Akkad, a self-made ruler who is believed to have united Mesopotamia into a single empire, despite his mysterious origins. Sargon's military campaigns extended the empire's reach and his centralized government fostered cultural integration. The narrative also covers the continuation of his dynasty and the challenges faced by his successors, including revolts and the eventual collapse of the empire due to internal strife and external invasions. The paragraph concludes with the resurgence of Sumerian influence under Utu-hengal and the rise of Babylon from the remnants of the fallen empire.

Keywords

💡Sumerian civilization

The Sumerian civilization, also known as Sumer, is one of the earliest known civilizations, located in the Mesopotamian region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. It is renowned for its contributions to writing, agriculture, and city planning. In the video, the Sumerian civilization is highlighted for its innovations such as the development of cuneiform writing and the establishment of city-states, which were the precursors to modern urban societies.

💡Akkadian Empire

The Akkadian Empire, founded by Sargon of Akkad, was the first known empire in ancient Mesopotamia. It unified the various city-states of the region under one rule and expanded its influence beyond the Mesopotamian borders. The script mentions Sargon's conquests and the establishment of a centralized government, which played a significant role in the narrative of Mesopotamian history.

💡Mesopotamia

Mesopotamia, often referred to as 'the land between two rivers,' is the region in modern-day Iraq where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers run. It is historically significant as the cradle of civilization, where some of the earliest human settlements and complex societies emerged. The video emphasizes the importance of Mesopotamia as the birthplace of both the Sumerian and Akkadian civilizations.

💡Cuneiform

Cuneiform is one of the earliest systems of writing, invented by the Sumerians. It is characterized by its wedge-shaped marks made on clay tablets with a reed stylus. The script notes that cuneiform was used for record-keeping, laws, and literature, including the famous 'Epic of Gilgamesh,' which is considered one of the earliest surviving works of literature.

💡City-states

In the context of the Sumerian civilization, city-states refer to independent urban entities, each with its own government, protective deity, and military. The script explains that these city-states were not united under a single government but often engaged in conflicts for control and power. The city-states of Sumer were the precursors to the modern concept of a city-state.

💡Ziggurat

A ziggurat is a type of stepped pyramid structure that was a central place of worship in ancient Mesopotamian cities. The script mentions that each city had a ziggurat, which served as the center for both religious and learning activities, symbolizing the importance of religion and knowledge in Sumerian society.

💡Irrigation

Irrigation refers to the artificial application of water to land to assist in the growth of crops. In the script, the Sumerians' need for constant irrigation improvements due to the unpredictable flooding of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is highlighted. This led to the development of advanced agricultural techniques and the use of slaves to maintain the irrigation systems.

💡Sargon of Akkad

Sargon of Akkad is a pivotal figure in the script, described as the first emperor who unified the Mesopotamian region under the Akkadian Empire. His rise to power, military conquests, and the establishment of a centralized government are central to the narrative of the video, illustrating the transition from city-states to a unified empire.

💡Gutians

The Gutians were a group of nomadic people who invaded and ruled over Mesopotamia after the fall of Sargon's dynasty. The script describes their rule as a period of decline for the Akkadian Empire, leading to its eventual collapse and the resurgence of Sumerian city-states.

💡Babylon

Babylon, mentioned at the end of the script, is a city that emerged from the city-states following the collapse of the Akkadian Empire. It later became the center of the Babylonian Empire, which is another significant period in Mesopotamian history. The script suggests that Babylon's rise to power was a continuation of the cycle of Mesopotamian civilizations.

Highlights

Sumerian and Akkadian civilizations originated in Mesopotamia, the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

Rivers were crucial for early civilizations, providing water, hunting grounds, and fertile soil from flooding.

Mesopotamian rivers were difficult to navigate and required extensive irrigation systems, often manned by slaves.

Agriculture allowed for the development of cities, trade, and the rise of governments and organized religions.

Sumerians invented cuneiform, the earliest form of writing on clay tablets for record-keeping, laws, and literature.

The Epic of Gilgamesh is considered the earliest surviving great work of literature.

Sumerians pioneered the wheel, astronomy, the kiln, the plow, irrigation, bronze working, and mathematics.

Sumerian city-states were independent with their own protective deities and often fought for control and power.

Houses in Mesopotamia were typically made of mud brick due to the lack of timber.

Sumerian city-states had populations ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 people and were known through archaeological evidence.

Ziggurats were central religious and learning institutions in Sumerian cities.

Priests were influential figures who could appease the gods in the Sumerian world.

Lugalzagesi of Umma conquered neighboring city-states and assumed the title of King of Uruk.

Sargon of Akkad, a self-made man, united Mesopotamia into one empire and was the first to hold the title of emperor.

Sargon of Akkad's background is mysterious, with stories suggesting he was an illegitimate child of a priestess.

Sargon established a centralized government and official documents in both Akkadian and Sumerian.

Sargon's daughter was made High Priestess to merge the cultures of Akkad and Sumer.

Sargon's empire stretched from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf, and he continued trade with distant lands.

After Sargon's death, his sons faced rebellions but maintained control until they were assassinated.

Narmer-sin, Sargon's grandson, subdued rebellions and began to present himself as a god.

The Akkadian Empire collapsed due to internal strife and invasions by the Gutians.

Ur-Nammu of Ur restored Sumerian independence and expanded the empire beyond traditional lands.

The Sumerian Empire was short-lived due to invasions by the Amorites and Elamites, leading to its collapse into city-states.

Babylon, initially a minor city-state, later grew to become a major power in the region.

Transcripts

the Sumerian civilization known as Sumer

and the Akkadian Empire both started in

the land of Mesopotamia the land between

two rivers the Tigris and Euphrates it's

hard to say which was the first true

civilization in history because many

flourished around the world at roughly

the same time and they were almost

always next to rivers or coastal areas

from the Egyptians along the Nile to

China next to the Yellow River the Indus

River Valley Civilization no to Chico in

coastal Peru and a little later the

Olmecs next of the kawatte so koalas

these rivers provided fresh water places

to hunt and fish and they often flooded

the lands around them depositing rich

fertile soil which was great for growing

crops and other foods

unlike the Nile or Indus Valley the

Tigris and Euphrates were difficult to

navigate and flooded unpredictably this

meant a lot of slaves were needed to

constantly improve irrigation systems

within Mesopotamia they needed to create

dams to hold back the floods they put

canals to channel river waters to the

fields and built pools to store the

water with agriculture the constant need

to hunt and gather food was relinquished

and trade arose this eventually

culminated into the first cities people

came closer together food surpluses were

created and gave rise to governments

organized religion and rulers who could

supply protection with the military the

Sumerian civilization gave us the

earliest archaeological records of

writing in the form of cuneiform their

writing was illustrated on clay tablets

for record-keeping laws and literature

one of these was the epic of gilgamesh a

tayo loosely based on the historical

King Gilgamesh who ruled the Sumerian

city of Uruk the epic poem is regarded

as the earliest surviving great work of

literature they also pioneered the wheel

astronomy the kiln the plow irrigation

bronze working and mathematics in Sumer

cities were similar in culture but were

not United these city-states were all

independent and they each had their own

protective deity often or not a

city-state could become a vassal of

another because they often fought for

control and power

in these early cities houses were

clustered together the streets were

narrow and it was really crowded there

wasn't a plentiful source of timber in

Mesopotamia

so these houses were typically made out

of mud brick and baked in the Sun to

harden it is estimated that around 5,000

to 50,000 people lived within a typical

Sumer city-state roughly around 30

city-states are known to us today

through archaeological evidence the most

active cities during Sumer were earth

Herick Lagash nipper Kish umma Lhasa ear

ado and listen each city had a temple

known as a ziggurats and these were the

center of both religion and learning

Mesopotamia gods tended to be pretty

mean and violence

much like the Tigris and Euphrates

priests were seen as people who could

please these gods and became important

figures within the Sumerian world

however the power of Kings would soon

replace them in the 24th century BC a

man by the name of lugol's Agassi came

to the throne of uma and assumed the

title of NC of Yuma a Sumerian word

meaning Lord at the lowland he ascended

to a period of endless warfare between

his neighboring city-states through

determination and skill he conquered his

great rival city of lagash killing its

king Eric Agena and forcing his rule

upon the city each soldier had each

other's backs

so the opponents couldn't get close

enough to kill equipped with the long

spear a body length shield and physical

fitness soldiers could quickly turn near

end to victory

Lugo's Agassi gradually brought together

the surrounding city-states with in

sumer through conquest and diplomacy

eventually making the city of Uruk his

capital he even moved his army to the

important city of Kish overthrowing its

king as a barber and brought all of

Sumer under one rule however his reign

was short lived as a new foreign

subjugator came to take his place and

this foreigner was the Akkadian Sargon

of Akkad through long drawn-out battles

Sargon would usurp lugol's Agassi and be

the first to hold the title emperor

in the later Babylonian versions of

Sargon's descriptions sargon of akkad is

said to have captured lugol's oxy after

destroying the walls of eric he then had

a chain placed around his neck and was

led through the holy city of nippers and

Lil's temple as a sign of his shame

by all accounts Sargon of Akkad was a

self-made man who came to unite all of

Mesopotamia into one unified Empire

Sargon was a person of non Sumerian

descent and is said to have been cut

bearer to the previous king of Kish or

zubaba his heritage stemmed from somatic

nomads from the Arabian Peninsula though

it is important to note the term somatic

refers to a language group the birth of

Sargon is shrouded in mystery as there

are no valid sources that can ascertain

- the reality of his background however

there are many stories and accounts

after his death in one Moses like legend

he is described as an illegitimate son

of a priestess who placed him in a

basket and launched him down the

Euphrates a Sumerian gardener came

across the basket and raised him as his

own upon Sargon's victory over lugol's

Agassi and his conquest of Iraq he is

said to have launched campaigns into

Elam and Mari stretching his Empire from

the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf

the nipper inscriptions also talk of his

army of 5400 men who were entertained

and fed bread daily after all his

conquests Sargon went about establishing

a centralized government forging

official documents in both his native

language Akkadian as well as Sumerian

while he did allow humilated cities to

retain their original rulers it was

Acadians who were placed in positions of

high status and importance his daughter

was made the High Priestess of the

goddess in Anna and the moon-god Nana

she was ordered to mix the gods of

Acadians and Sumerians as a way to merge

the two cultures into a whole United

people Sargon is said to have continued

trade with the lands of Dillman mcgann

and malua and he founded a dynasty that

would last many years after

death although many of the city-states

sargon at Concord were unhappy with

their forced integration and quickly

revolted after his death his sons fought

off these rebellions throughout their

reign and both met their deaths with

assassination but the next king Narmer

sin lived up to his grandfather's

reputation as he did manage to subdue

these rebellions he spent much of his

life on military campaigns and began to

detail himself as a god this may

possibly have bought about the Empire's

destruction because he died and his son

failed to keep faith in the throne the

Empire began to collapse as nomadic

people known as the GU Tian's raided and

invaded from the Zargon mountains

sacking the capital city of a card

burning it to the ground so much so that

has never been found

tar god's contribution to the ancient

world made him one of the most

fascinating figures in history the

world's first leader of an empire paving

the way for all those after eventually

the GU Tian's ruled as warlords for

about a century before the rise once

again of the Sumerians and the founding

of the great name Sumerian Empire it was

you too Hangul of Erik who rose up

against the GU Tian's and gained

Sumerians their independence once again

but it was the next king or namu who

restored order completely and conquered

outside the traditional Sumerian lands

however the Empire was short-lived as a

shadow of invasions rapidly spread these

invasions came from the amorite sand the

Elamites causing their empire to

collapse into city-states once again out

of these city-states one largely

irrelevant City would later grow and

expand its influence

this city was Babylon