Ch 3 Ancient Mesopotamia Q & A

How did the leadership of Sumer change?

In early Sumer, priests were the leaders. As the city-states became wealthier, they came under attack. Powerful men who could protect the city-states became kings.

Why was Sumer a good example of civilization?

It had large cities with specialized workers, complex institutions, and a system of record keeping. It also used advanced technology.

Why was trade important in Mesopotamia?

Mesopotamians had to trade surplus grain for thing they didn't have in their own land, such as, wood, metal, and stone.

What was life like in Sumerian cities?

People lived in houses built of thick mud walls around central courtyards. The ziggurat was the center of city life and functioned as a city hall.

How did kings take over as rulers of Sumer?

Powerful men protected the cities from attack and eventually became the full-time rulers.

What new type of community developed in Sumer?

Sumer developed a type of community calle the city-state, which is a city and its nearby farmlands.

How did new tools make life better for the Sumerians?

The plow made planting easier. The wheel helped people transport things faster. The potter's wheel made pottery making faster. Bronze tools lasted longer and stayed sharper.

What toolld did the Sumerians invent?

The plow, the wheel, the potter's wheel

How did civilization develop in the region of Sumer?

The rise of agriculture led to people settling in villages. The villages grew larger and became cities. Society and culture grew more complex. All this led to civilization.

How did the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers support agriculture?

The rivers flooded each year, depositing fertile soil on the land. The rivers also provided water for crops.

What were the social classes that made up Sumerian society?

The upper class included kings, priests, and landowners, officials, and merchants. The in-between class included all free people not in the upper class. Slaves made up the lowest class.

What made Mesopotamia a good region for farming?

The yearly flood was unpredictable, making it hard to know when to plant. Sometimes, the flood washed everything away. At other times, the flood did not come, and drought occurred.

How did the climate affect farmers?

The yearly flood was unpredictable, making it hard to know when to plant. Sometimes, the flood washed everything away. At other times, the flood did not flood, and drought occurred.

How did the Sumerians invent writing?

They began by using symbols called pictographs to keep track of trade goods. In time, these symbols began to stand for ideas as well as objects. Later, they began to use symbols made of wedges and lines instead of pictures. This system of writing is called cuneiform.

How did Mesopotamians water their crops during drought?

They used irrigation canals to bring water to crops.

How did Mesopotamians cope with a lack of resources?

They used mud to build houses and defensive walls. They traded surplus grain for stone, wood, and metals from other regions.

Why were kings and priests in the highest class?

They were believed to have a link to the gods, which gave them great influence over people.

Why were scribes highly respected in Sumer?

They were the most highly educated people in the society and performed an important function.