The Sumerians: The First Civilization

Generally within textbooks on Western civilization it tells us about how the Sumerians began organized agriculture, domesticated wheat and such animals as the horse and donkey, initiated urban living by building cities, and invented writing and the wheel. The Sumerians, apparently, initiated human civilization 6000 years ago. Nevertheless, European (white) written textbooks do not recognize them like they

The two rivers had a delta which was called the Fertile Crescent. This was because of its crescent-like shape and because of how fertile it was due to the two rivers depositing rich silk into it, giving it the ability to support agriculture. The two rivers were incredibly important to the ancient Sumerians because it supplied them with water for their irrigation systems. They were able to also dump their sewage as well. The water gave them mud to use as clay for building. The river led them to the concept of regional government, which was used to manage their irrigation systems, consequently resulting in them creating a city-state. Unlike the Chinese and Harappan people, the Sumerians left behind records that we today are able to decipher. Their writing system was called ‘cuneiform’, which they wrote on clay tablets. This tell us that the Sumerians were civilized and organized. Unlike the Chinese, they utilized their time to learn how to read and write instead of fighting

Mesopotamian Civilizations contributed massively to the development for future civilizations. To begin, the Sumerians created the first written language. Cuneiform was the writing system to keep track of business dealings when it comes to trading with the people who lived in lands that were thousands of miles away. Cuneiform also kept records and allowed new ideas to be passed from generation to generation (Doc 1). Cuneiform is developed from pictographs that were sideways and used

The Sumerians eventually fell to those civilizations that prevailed with more favoring topographic assets. Sumer was

One of the most important inventions was cuneiform. (Doc.1)It was created by the Sumerians over 5000 years ago (Doc.1). It was the world's first Language.(Doc.1) Sumerians invented this writing system to keep track of business dealings, records (Doc. 1) and religious activity (OI). It

The Sumerians created a civilization located in the Fertile Crescent, or Mesopotamia, which is located in the Middle East. The legendary ruler of the Sumerians, Hammurabi, was famous for his set

The Sumerians were the most successful ancient civilization because they created the first written language. For example, without the Sumerians, we humans would not have the invention of writing. Their writing was called cuneiform. Cuneiform is when they took a stylus and imprinted writing on clay tablets. The Sumerians would sometimes also imprint on wax, stone, and metal.

Sumerians made life easier because they made several advancements. Some of them help them with writing, building, and planting. Writing would help them because it developed language. The wheel helped because they helped make carts and wagons. The plow helped because it broke through hard clay for soil planting.

The first civilizations and the rise of empires began with small groups or villages existing with the use of hunting, fishing, and foraging. (William J. Duiker and Jackson J. Spielvogel, World History, vol. 1, 1) Within a few thousand years, people learned how to cultivate food crops and this led to an increase in population. Increased food production resulted in larger communities. The cities began to expand their cultural and religious developments leading to the beginnings of civilization. (Duiker, World History, 1) The first civilizations emerged in Mesopotamia and Egypt during the fourth and third millennia B.C.E and had various components in common. Each of these civilizations was established in a river valley so they were able to provide and produce the agricultural resources needed to survive and uphold the population. (Duiker, World History, 1) Mesopotamia developed in the valley between the Tigris and Euphrates River known as “the land between the rivers.” These rivers provided irregular and catastrophic flooding for the city-state. They created an intensive irrigation system to improve their agriculture. The first people to create Mesopotamian civilization were known as the Sumerians. These people were the first city builders and created the major city’s named Eridu, Ur, Uruk, Umma, and Lagash. These cities were built with surrounding walls and defense towers. A six-mile-long wall enclosed the city of Uruk. Mesopotamia lacked

Sumerians helped improve the economy. One of their few great inventions, was the wheel it became a very useful and important part of our everyday live. The wheel was invented rather later in time. When it was first created it was due to the fact that metal tools were needed to chisel fine-fitted holes. It was a concept stroke of genius, but certainley a challenge. 300 years later, the wheel was finally used for transportation and domestic purposes.

The Sumerian civilization arose from 3000-2000 B.C. being the first civilization to inhabit Mesopotamia. Nonetheless much of what they acquired became the foundation of what is now called Ancient Near Eastern History, such as their Mesopotamian law, religion, art, literature and small scientific discoveries. Art from this era is studied tremendously, due to its insight not only on the literature but the lives lived during that time.

Sumeria was formed at 3000 B.C in what is now Southern Iraq. Sumerian life was formed at this time (3000 B.C) and coming with that geography helped isolate them (The Sumerians) to develop faster and create, and they were getting items and ideas that affect our lives today. The Sumerians created items and ideas that could become great achievements and potentially change lives (Spielvogel 134).Written language and the arch were just two of the many achievements of the ancient Sumerian people.

The Sumerians were the first people to build civilization and attempt empire in the western world. Like Rome, they had a governmental structure, conducted military operations to expand and ensure trade, and build a lasting civic structure. The Sumerians, however, were not as effective as the Romans in most respects. Rome had a strong central government; the Emperor was absolute ruler.

Sumer and Egypt were two of the first civilizations established in ancient history, the Sumerians being the pioneers of civilization. Each of the civilizations settled on fertile lands and established political, religious, and economic standards of their own. The Sumerians created a system of writing called cuneiform, developed a theocratic government, established an agricultural-based economic system, and created a polytheistic religion. Because the land was flat and marshy with few hills or mountains, Sumer had little protection from a military standpoint. The environment of Egypt was the polar opposite of Sumer. The Egyptians were surrounded by desert to prevent invasion, yet gifted with plenty of fertile land along the Nile. This

The Neolithic Revolution was a great change, nomads traded in their transhumance mode of life for permanent settlements. It resulted in the formation of many civilizations, such as the Sumerian civilization. The Sumerian civilization existed from 1500 B.C.E to 200 B.C.E, and was located in present and fulfill the eight characteristics of a civilization. The eight characteristics of a civilization are cities, an organized central government, job specialization, social classes, complex religions, art and architecture, writing, and public work. Seeing the fact that the Sumerian people possessed all eight characteristics, they are a civilization.