Sumerians Built City-States
Sumerians Built City-States is a Grade 6 social studies topic in Pengi Social Studies, Chapter 2: The Early Civilizations of the Near East and Africa, explaining how the world's first cities emerged in ancient Sumer. Food surpluses enabled Sumerians to build independent city-states like Uruk and Ur, each with its own government and a massive temple called a ziggurat at the center. Sumerians practiced polytheism and their priests maintained temples while kings organized trade and defense.
Key Concepts
A food surplus allowed Sumerians to build independent city states , like Uruk and Ur. Each city had its own government and a massive temple called a ziggurat at the center.
The Sumerians practiced polytheism , believing in many gods who controlled nature. The priests worked in the ziggurat to please the gods, while kings organized trade (using the newly invented wheel ) to get resources like wood and metal.
Common Questions
What were Sumerian city-states?
Sumerian city-states were independent cities in ancient Mesopotamia, each functioning as its own self-governing unit. Famous examples include Uruk and Ur. Each city had its own king, government, and religious temples called ziggurats.
What was a ziggurat?
A ziggurat was a massive stepped temple tower built in ancient Mesopotamian city-states. It served as the home of the city's patron god and the center of religious and economic activity. Priests performed rituals and stored goods in ziggurats.
What religion did the Sumerians practice?
The Sumerians practiced polytheism, the belief in many gods. Each city had its own patron deity, and the people believed the gods controlled natural forces. Pleasing the gods through rituals was central to Sumerian life.
How does Pengi Social Studies Grade 6 cover Sumerian city-states?
The Pengi Social Studies Grade 6 textbook covers Sumerian city-states in Chapter 2: The Early Civilizations of the Near East and Africa, explaining how agricultural surpluses enabled the growth of cities with organized governments and religious centers.
Where was ancient Sumer located?
Ancient Sumer was located in southern Mesopotamia, in what is now southern Iraq. It developed between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers around 3500 B.C.E. and is considered one of the earliest civilizations in human history.