HY 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Upper Class, Third Dynasty Of Ur, First Babylonian Dynasty
30 May 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
I.The Sumerians Enter History
A. Sumerian writing
B. The first historical society
C. Sumerian cities: Uruk, Ur, Lagash, Eridu, and Kish
D. Religion
1. Pantheon of Sumerian gods (around fifteen hundred of them)
2. Each city-state protected by its own patron god
3. Economic, political, and religious competition
E. Redistributive economy and the temple/warehouse complex
F. Slavery
1. Prisoners of war
2. Slaves as forms of property
G. The Early Dynastic Period begins (2900-2500 B.C.E.)
1. War leadership and kingship
2. Conflict between city-states
3. Lugal (big man)
a. God's representative on earth
4. The Epic of Gilgamesh
. Legendary king of Uruk
a. Military conquest and heroism
b. Gilgamesh versus Enkidu—city versus wilderness
c. Pessimistic toward natural environment
H. Sumerian religion
1. Uruk period—Sumerian gods identified with hostile forces of
nature
2. Early Dynastic period—Sumerians saw gods in more human
terms
3. Humans exist to provide the good life for their gods
4. A reciprocal relationship between humanity and divinity
5. Divination and astrology
6. Kings ruled by divine sanction
. But still had to serve the gods
a. Offerings, sacrifices, festivals, building projects
b. Even Gilgamesh could not escape his fate
I. Science, technology and trade
1. High degree of self-reliance and ingenuity
2. Produced copper weapons and tools
3. Invention of the wheel (chariots and carts)
4. Mathematics
. Lunar calendar
a. Divided time into multiples of sixty
5. Sailboats, textiles, paints, perfumes, and medicines
6. Trade
. Acquired raw materials
a. Interacted with Egyptians and Persians
J. The end of the Early Dynastic Period (2500-2350 B.C.E.)
1. Intensification of intercity warfare
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
