DAILY LIFE IN SUMERChapter 3 Lesson 4

OBJECTIVES

Describe the role of government and religion in Sumerian daily life

Discuss the role of trade in Sumerian city-states

Describe the social order and roles of the Sumerian people

VOCABULARY

Deity – gods that Sumerians believed controlled nature

LIFE IN A CITY-STATE Although Sumerian

city-states depended on agriculture for their survival and growth, most Sumerians lived and worked in cities

Farmers brought meat, grain, fish, and fruit to city markets, where city dwellers bought them

GOVERNMENT AND LAW Sumerian laws gave

people certain rights

Property rights were sometimes taken away in times of war

The oldest known record of ancient laws was carved into stone about 2000 BC

SPECIALIZATION AND TRADE

Increasing specialization in the division of labor developed within Sumerian cities

Different tasks were done by government officials, scribes, craft workers, and merchants

PLEASING THE GODS

Sumerians worshipped the forces of nature as gods, or deities

The gods of air and water were among the most important

The Sumerians presented their gods with offerings and built temples in their honor

SOCIAL STRUCTURE

Sumerian society was divided in social classes.

See page 118 for Sumerian social class.

SUMMARY

The Sumerian cities were centers for trade, religion, and government

City life was supported by the food farmers provided and by the work done by government officials

Sumerians worshipped many gods that represented nature

Over time, social classes developed in Sumerian society