Name Color Chapter 4 The Rise of Sumerian

Name: __________ Color: _______ Chapter 4: The Rise of Sumerian City-States From caves to small Neolithic villages to complex Sumerians city-states, in this chapter you will learn how a series of problems faced by the people of ancient Mesopotamia were solved and how they helped to transform the Neolithic farming villages into complex Sumerian city-states. What is this chapters essential question? __________________________________ 4. 1 Introduction (pg 33) Mesopotamia is the Greek word that means: “___________________” Two rivers? __________ and __________ Cities first appeared in the southern part of this land called: _________. Why were the earliest cities in Sumer called city-states? List 3 features of one of an early Mesopotamian city-state: 4. 2 Mesopotamia: A Difficult Environment Mesopotamia was not an easy place to live. (pg 34) The northern part was ______ and received ______. THERE WAS LITTLE RAIN! The southern part was low ______, or ______land. List 2 problems Mesopotamians faced living on the plains. 1. ___________________ What is an irrigation system? _________________________________ 2. _____________________________________

4. 3 Food Shortages in the Hills (pg 35) Farming began in the rolling ________of the _______________ in northern Mesopotamia. Solution Draw and label a picture showing the Mesopotamian solution to the food shortage List 3 advantages of living in the Zagros foothills: 1. _________________ 2. __________________ 3. __________________ Problem Draw and label a picture showing the problem that occurred around 5000 BCE As a result, the farmers moved to the _______ and _______ River valley’s. Explain why did farmers move here( hint: what were some advantages)? ? BUT the lack of _______caused a food _______ in the Zagros foothills!! This region became known as ________.

4. 4 Uncontrolled Water Supply in the River Valley (pg 36) Describe the seasonal weather changes in Sumer. List 2 reasons why this made farming so difficult. Solution Draw and label a picture showing how Sumerians solved their problem with water. 1. _________________________ 2. _________________________ Problem Draw and label a picture showing the problem caused by an uncontrollable water supply The Sumerians created irrigation systems to provide water for their ______. They built _________, called levee’s, along the sides of the river to prevent flooding. Explain other ways Sumerians learned to control the water supply? Farmers either had too little water or they had too much! To succeed in growing____, they needed a way to _____ the ______ so they could have a reliable water ______ all year round.

4. 5 Difficulties in Building and Maintaining a Complex Irrigation System (pg 37) The irrigation system passed through many _____ as it carried water from the _____ to the _____. The ______needed to be cleaned regularly as they became clogged with ____ (very fine mud). And ______ Solution Draw and label a picture showing how Sumerians kept their complex irrigation system working. _____ could spoil the whole ______!!! Problem Draw and label a picture showing what could happen if an irrigation system was not cleared regularly. List 3 ways farmers from different city-states worked together: 1. ______________________ 2. ______________________ Why did famers have to live and work close to one another? 3. ______________________ What was the long term result of Sumerians working together?

4. 6 Attacks by Neighboring Communities (pg 38) As cities grew, people fought over the right to use ____________ ! Solution Draw and label a picture showing how Sumerians protected their cities. Problem Draw and label a picture showing why Sumerian cities fought with each other. List two ways Sumerians tried to protect their cities from enemies: 1. _____________________ Explain how the physical geography of Sumer left its cities unprotected. _____________________ 2. __________________________________________ The walled cities of Sumer were like ____________________!!!