The Emergence of Cities
In ancient times, the features of a city-state included:
1. A walled city and the land around it, such as
farmland2. It’s own government3. Clearly marked borders4. Covered several square miles5. A population of about 5,000 people
The Emergence of Cities
Over time, some city-states grew to:
1. More than 1,500 square miles
2. Populations of as many as 60,000 people
The Emergence of Cities
Each city-state was independent but people shared a
common culture which included:
1. Similar religious practices
2. They spoke the Sumerian language
3. Developed a writing system
Emergence of Cities
They also created buildings, art, and crafts that were unique to Sumerian Society.
Government and Religion
First political or government structure of each city
state was made up of:
1. A small group of leaders
2. A chief leader chosen by the group
Government and Religion
Together, they made laws, decided what work had to
be done, and dealt with disputes over land or water
rights
Government and Religion
When faced with war, different leaders could not
always agree on what to do, so a single leader was
needed
Government and Religion
This led to the first monarchy
1. A system ruled by a king or queen
2. When a King died: his son became the new king
Government and Religion
The King had complete authority or power over:
1. Religion
2. The Economy
3. Everyday Life
Government and Religion
The King appointed officials to carry out his orders,
often concerning economic surpluses and building
projects
Government and Religion
Sumerians practiced polytheism, and their beliefs
included:
a. The belief in many gods
b. Each natural event had its own god
c. One god protected each city-state
Commercial Society
Economic system built on surpluses, which led to new
kinds of jobs, production of new goods, and people
began to trade their surpluses
Commercial Society
In each city, jobs held were:
a. Farming
b. Craft-workers
c. Metalworkers
d. Builders
Commercial Society
Sumerians depended on long distance trade, as there
were no metals or trees found in Sumer
Commercial Society
Carried goods by donkeys throughout the Fertile
Crescent
Later traders used sailboats to carry goods on
waterways to distant places
Commercial Society
By 2300 BC, Sumerian trade extended:
From Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean to as far
as the Indus Valley (Pakistan)