Study Materials – by Paul Brians

Lecture 4: Origins of Civilization: Sumer & Mesopotamia

Note: This study guide is presented here as a historical document only. Paul Brians is retired and his courses are no longer offered by WSU.

(Duiker 7-15, Brians 7-16, 18-21; optional, p. 17) * Map Quiz over map 1.3 on p. 10

Questions about Duiker: *What are the basic characteristics of a civilization? *What were the main social classes in ancient civilizations? Briefly describe Sumerian architecture. Explain who Hammurabi was. What were the main characteristics of the Code of Hammurabi? Describe the picture on the top of the Stele of Hammurabi. *What are some of the main features of Mesopotamian religion? What is cuneiform, and why is it important?

Questions about “The Epic of Gilgamesh: The Flood Story:” *How does Ut-napishtim know that some land besides Mount Nimush has appeared above the flood waters even though he cannot see it? What test does Gilgamesh have to undergo in his attempt to become immortal? What is the point of the loaves of bread?

Questions about “Sumer-Akkadian Hymn to Ishtar: What characteristics does Ishtar have besides beauty?

Questions about “The Code of Hammurabi:” What do these laws tell us about attitudes toward slavery? *Clearly men had more rights than women in this society; but what laws can you identify that seem aimed at protecting certain rights of women? Which laws deviate from the egalitarian standard of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” and instead discriminate between social classes in assigning punishments?

Question about Sumerian proverbs: Which proverbs express sympathy for women?

Question about Babylonian proverbs: What social custom is referred to in the final proverb of this group?

Lecture topics:

  • The First Cities: Mesopotamia
  • Sumer: Ur
  • Religion
  • Architecture: The Ziggurat
  • Invention of writing
  • Literature & mythology
  • Emergence of kings
  • Gilgamesh
  • The Flood myth
  • Sargon of Akkad
  • Hammurabi’s law code
  • Mathematics

Helpful Hints:

  • Carefully separate this time’s notes from those for next time so you don’t mix Mesopotamian features up with Egyptian ones.
  • Have the name “Sumer” firmly in mind and identify some of the images you are shown to use as examples on tests.
  • Note which images and writings are linked to Akkad (Ancient Babylon) rather than Sumer.
  • Don’t mix the neolithic mother goddesses up with later fertility goddesses like Ishtar (she isn’t shown as enormously fat, for instance).
  • Be sure to concentrate on the selection from Hammurabi’s Code in Reading About the World. If you follow Duiker in asserting that the laws were always hard on women it’s a dead giveaway that you haven’t read the reader version.

Supplementary materials:

Return to syllabus