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What were some jobs of the upper class group of people?
Kings, priests, army officers, government officials, judges, scribes
What is a Ziggurat?
Religious temple in the center of the city
What were the Sumerians' religious beliefs?
They believed in many gods
Who ruled in a Sumerian city-state?
priest-kings (military king in time of war)
What did advanced cities have for protection around the city?
a brick wall with a bronze gate
Why were City- states were located close to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers?
It was good for trade
What did City-states often fight over?
resources such as land and water
What did each city-state have?
its own government, rules, gods, language, culture
Name 2 things that the Sumerians invented.
pictograph writing – pictures and symbols, system of writing known as cuneiform, cylinder seals to stamp and label their goods
How is cuneiform writing done?
a series of wedge-shaped symbols pressed into clay tablets using a stylus
Why was cuneiform writing used?
to keep track of trade and business deals
Name 3 contributions of the Sumerians.
The wheel, Wooden plow, Bronze chariots, Sailboat Levees, canals, Pottery wheel, arch, 12 month lunar calendar Base 10 and base 60 number system Natural or herb
People who learned to write were called...
scribes
Who could become a scribe?
boys from the upper class
How long did scribes go to school?
12 years
Who ruled the Akkadian Empire?
Sargon
