What Impact Did Ancient Sumerian Civilization Have on Later Civilizations?

The ancient Sumerian civilization was one of the first civilizations in the world, situated in Mesopotamia, which is now modern-day Iraq. It was a highly advanced and sophisticated civilization that flourished between 4500 BCE to 1900 BCE. The Sumerians were known for their incredible achievements in various fields such as agriculture, architecture, science, writing, and religion.

Agriculture

The Sumerians were one of the first people to practice agriculture systematically. They built irrigation systems that helped them cultivate crops in large quantities. This led to surplus food production, which allowed them to support a significant population.

Architecture

The Sumerians were skilled architects and engineers who built remarkable structures such as ziggurats (massive stepped pyramids), temples, and palaces. These structures were not only grand but also served important religious and administrative functions.

Science

Sumerians made significant contributions to the field of science. They developed an advanced system of mathematics that included arithmetic, geometry, algebra, and even trigonometry. They also invented the wheel and used it for transportation and pottery making.

Writing

The Sumerians developed a system of writing called cuneiform that was used for record-keeping purposes. Cuneiform was written on clay tablets using a stylus or reed. The tablets contained information on various subjects such as trade transactions, legal agreements, religious texts, and literature.

Influence on Later Civilizations

The impact of the ancient Sumerian civilization on later civilizations cannot be overstated. Their contributions in various fields have had a lasting impact on human history.

Religion

The religion of the Sumerians had a significant influence on later civilizations such as Babylonian and Assyrian civilizations. The concept of gods and goddesses with specific domains originated in Sumerian religion. The Babylonians and Assyrians adopted many of their gods and goddesses from the Sumerians.

Writing

The invention of cuneiform writing by the Sumerians was a significant milestone in human history. It was the first system of writing that could express any idea or concept. This led to the development of other writing systems such as Egyptian hieroglyphs, Greek alphabets, and eventually modern-day scripts.

Mathematics

The Sumerians’ system of mathematics had a profound impact on later civilizations. The Babylonians inherited much of their mathematical knowledge from the Sumerians. Later civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans also benefited from Sumerian mathematics, which laid the foundation for modern mathematics.

Architecture

The architecture of the ancient Sumerian civilization influenced later civilizations such as Babylonians, Assyrians, and Persians. The ziggurat, which was a hallmark of Sumerian architecture, was replicated in many other structures built by these civilizations.

In conclusion, the ancient Sumerian civilization made significant contributions in various fields such as agriculture, architecture, science, writing, and religion. Their achievements had a lasting impact on later civilizations and laid the foundation for many modern-day advancements.