Ancient History Lesson 1: Sumer & Akkad
These History Lessons are based on the Kingfisher History Encyclopedia and the History Activity Pages.
There are 21 lessons in the Ancient History section. They include Sumer & Akkad, Ancient Egypt, Megalithic Europe, Indus Valley, Ancient Crete, Mycenaeans, Shang Dynasty, Hittites, Babylon, Assyrians, Hebrews, Egypt II, Phoenicians, Africa, America, Aryan India, Rome, Babylon II, Dorians, Zhou Dynasty and Persian Empire. There is a link below for those who would like to purchase The Ancient World Activity Pages.
There are 21 lessons in the Ancient History section. They include Sumer & Akkad, Ancient Egypt, Megalithic Europe, Indus Valley, Ancient Crete, Mycenaeans, Shang Dynasty, Hittites, Babylon, Assyrians, Hebrews, Egypt II, Phoenicians, Africa, America, Aryan India, Rome, Babylon II, Dorians, Zhou Dynasty and Persian Empire. There is a link below for those who would like to purchase The Ancient World Activity Pages.
Corresponding Materials
This lesson corresponds to:
Kingfisher History Encyclopedia - Sumer and Akkad 5000 - 1600 B.C.
History Activity Pages - The Ancient World page 1
This lesson corresponds to:
Kingfisher History Encyclopedia - Sumer and Akkad 5000 - 1600 B.C.
History Activity Pages - The Ancient World page 1
Map of Sumer and Akkad
Mesopotamia: 5000-1600 B.C.
The Sumerians were the first people to settle in Mesopotamia. They are considered to be the first civilization. The Sumerian civilization was built of many city-states that were each independent nations. The cities were located along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Trade routes were an important part of the success of the cities. The Sumerians traded with peoples from Egypt and India.
Sumerian Cities
There were public buildings, markets, artisans, and water systems in each city-state. Also located in each was a royal palace and a ziggurat. A shrine located at the top of each ziggurat was dedicated to the god of that city. The houses were located around the public buildings. Many of the houses were reed houses.
Build Your Own Ziggurat
Sumerian Writing System
Cuneiform was the Sumerian writing system. Scribes recorded daily events, trade, astronomy, and literature on clay tablets. Thousands of tablets have been discovered giving us insight to the Sumerian way of life.
Power Shift
Commerce became more important around 2900 B.C. The city-states began to fight one another, battling for supremacy. The city-states were also being invaded by tribes from Persia, Arabia and Turkey. Over time, Akkad became the dominant city-state.
Akkad: The World's First Empire
Around 2334 B.C., Sargon united many cities under one king and one capital creating the world's first empire. Sargon was able to accomplish this through his military which brought order, cruelty and violence.
Ur Dominates Akkad
Akkad declined around 2334 B.C. giving dominance to Ur for the next century. After the fall of Ur, Assyria and Babylon grew dominant in the area.