Who Were The Ancient Sumerians?
The ancient Sumerians were an ancient civilization that inhabited parts of modern day Iraq around 5,000 years ago. They are considered to be the world’s first civilization and one of the oldest known to historians. In this article, we’ll explore the Sumerians, who they were, where they lived, and their legacy.
Early History of the Sumerian Empire
The Sumerian Empire rose to success in the ancient Middle East around 3500 BC and was largely located in parts of modern day southern Iraq. It is believed that the Sumerian people originated from the Persian Gulf region, migrating through the region during the early Uruk period.
The ancient Sumerians were polytheistic and believed in many gods and goddesses. Indra, their chief god, was a war-god associated with thunder, rain, and the fertility of the land. They developed an advanced irrigation system and innovative writing and literature, which has been found and studied by historians.
Sumerian Politics and Society
Sumerian society was largely partitioned into two distinct classes – the elite “Lugals” or nobles and the commoners. The Lugals had a great deal of power and authority, while the commoners had little to no say in their country’s government and were largely dependent on the ruling class.
The Sumerians were known for their advanced legal system that was remarkably progressive for its time. Their written laws, known as the Code of Ur-Nammu, included regulations governing their society and the punishments for breaking their laws. As a result, their political system is seen by modern historians as one of the earliest forms of democracy.
Sumerian Architecture
The ancient Sumerians are known for their innovative architecture, which was unique for its time. The most notable examples include the ziggurats, which were tall stepped pyramids built to honor the gods and goddesses. These structures allowed for public gatherings, religious ceremonies and community events.
The Sumerians were also the first civilization to construct large-scale mud and brick walls. The walls served to protect their cities from invaders and allowed their citizens to move and trade goods freely.
Sumerian Arts and Culture
The Sumerians developed a rich art and culture that has been studied extensively by historians. Their art was mostly composed of sculptures, reliefs and murals, which were often inscribed onto clay tablets. These pieces depicted their gods and goddesses, their rulers, and daily life in the empire.
Their literature is another distinguishing feature of the Sumerian culture. They developed one of the oldest known written languages, known as cuneiform, which allowed their written works to be preserved until today. Some of their most famous literary pieces include the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Sumerian King List.
Legacy of the Sumerians
The legacy of the Sumerians still lives on today through their advanced architecture, agricultural systems, and writing system. Their cities have been extensively excavated by archeologists, providing us with insight into their advanced society and showcasing its development over centuries.
Their writing system has also been preserved and studied, allowing for historians to recreate their world and explore their literature and mythology. The Sumerians are also credited with developing the world’s first written laws, providing the foundation for many of today’s modern legal systems.
The ancient Sumerians were an advanced civilization that existed 5,000 years ago in parts of modern day Iraq. They are widely considered to be the world’s first civilization and are known for their innovative architecture, agricultural systems, and written language. Their legacy still lives on today through the remnants of their cities and their written works that have been preserved and studied.
