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1/9/2009 Understanding and Analyzing Primary Sources From "Cuneiform Tablet from 1900 B.C.." Clay Tablet. 3200 B.C. As the societies of the Sumerian city-states advanced in the fourth millennium B.C., largescale trade and other economic activities were increasingly hampered by the lack of a permanent record of transactions. At first, the Sumerians employed stone and clay tokens, which represented various goods and numerical values, to keep track of their mercantile dealings. Around 3200 B.C. these tokens were replaced by markings made on clay tablets and written language was born. The first cuneiform1 writings consisted of pictograms, which were drawings of the items represented. Shortly thereafter ideograms, or abstract symbols, were also employed. These allowed the Sumerians to symbolize ideas as well as concrete things. Cuneiform was soon used to record all important activities, from the sale of land to marriage and adoption contracts. By the middle of the third millennium B.C. the Sumerian written language was developed enough to record oral epic poetry, such as stories told of the legendary king Gilgamesh. This tablet, from around 1900 B.C., is surrounded by a thin clay envelope which was used to conceal and protect the contents of important documents. 1cuneiform, which is Latin for wedge-shaped, is the descriptive name given by scholars to the Sumerian written language. 1 1/9/2009 ‘Schoolboy, where did you go from earliest days?’ ‘I went to school.’ ‘What did you do in school?’ ‘I read my tablet, ate my lunch, prepared my tablet tablet, wrote it it, finished it; then my prepared lines were prepared for me (and in) the afternoon, my hand copies were prepared for me. Upon the school’s dismissal, I went home, entered the house, (there) was my father sitting. I spoke to my father of my hand copies, then read the tablet to him, (and) my father was pleased; truly I found favor with my father. “I am thirsty, give me drink, I am Hungry, give me bread, wash my feet, set up the bed, I want to go to sleep; wake me early in the morning, I must not be late, (or) my teacher will cane me.” When I awoke early in the morning, I faced my mother, and… I entered before my teacher, took (my) place. My “school-father” read my tablet to me, (said) “The . . is cut off,” caned me. … Who was in charge of . . . (said) “Why Why when I was not here did you talk?” caned me. Who was in charge of . . . (said) “Why when I was not here did you not keep your head high?” caned me. Who was in charge of drawing (said) “Why when I was not here did you stand up?” caned me. Who was in charge of the gate (said) “Why when I was not here did you go out?” caned me. Who was in charge of the . . (said) “Why when I was not here did you take the . . ?” caned me. Sumerian Schooldays, ca. 1900 B.C. 1Sumerian scribes used a sharpened reed as a stylus to inscribe upon wet clay tablets. Enlil - ancient earth god of Sumerian origin, worshiped in Babylonian religion. With the sky god Anu and the water god Ea, he f formed d the th greatt divine di i triad. t i d Enlil, E lil also l referred to as Bel, could be hostile or beneficent. He was responsible for the order and harmony in the universe, but as a god of storms and winds he brought terrible destruction. Anu - ancient sky god of Sumerian origin origin, worshiped in Babylonian religion. The son of Apsu (the underworld ocean) and Tiamat (primeval chaos), Anu was king of the great triad of gods, which included the earth god Enlil and the water god Ea. Ea - ancient water god of Sumerian origin, worshiped in Babylonian religion. li i The Th greatt benefactor b f t off mankind, Ea was called the lord of wisdom, of magic, and of the arts and sciences. With the sky god Anu and the earth god Enlil, or Bel, he was the third of the great divine triad. . What role does religion have in Civilization? 2 1/9/2009 The Epic of Gilgamesh is the first known example of heroic epic poetry. Gilgamesh was an early king of the Sumerian city of Uruk, reigning there around 2700 B.C. After his death, a series of legends and an oral tradition became associated with his name. As cuneiform evolved, his reputed exploits were written down as part of the Sumerian invention of literature. In its present form,, the Epic p dates from approximately pp y 2000 B.C. Gilgamesh’s story revolves around eternal human ideals and questions-friendship, divine punishment, death, and immortality. 3 1/9/2009 This engraving displays Hammurabi seated on his throne and receiving a commission to execute justice from Shamash, the god of justice. It formed the top part of an eight-foothigh basalt stele, or inscribed upright pillar, with the text of his law code below. Hammurabi placed such steles in the temple areas of his major cities. French archaeologists discovered this stele in 1901 in the city of Susa and moved it to Paris. Code of Hammurabi Whatt was the Wh th Code C d off Hammurabi's influence on Civilization? 4 1/9/2009 By 2000 B.C., most of the major Sumerian cities were dominated by ziggurats or “stepped towers.” Unlike the Egyptian pyramids, these were not tombs but stairways for the patron god of the city to descend. A “high temple” at the summit served as a home for the god, while a “low temple” at the base allowed the god to reach earth and functioned as the religious center of the city. The god appeared to priests or the king in these temples, who then conveyed his divine commands to the populace. From "Ziggurat of King Urnammu, Ur." Mud Bricks. 2100 B.C. Sargon the Great (r. 2371-2316 B.C.), from Akkad in northern Mesopotamia, conquered all of the Sumerian city-states. He united all of Mesopotamia, thus establishing the world’s first empire. His political influence later spread west toward Palestine and east into the Iranian plateau. From "A Ruler's Portrait." Bronze. Cradle of Civilization. Ca. 1700 B.C 5