TED-Ed: The rise and fall of history's first empire | Soraya Field Fiorio

The Sumerian civilization, located in Mesopotamia, was the first to build cities using mud bricks and develop a complex society with city-states. They invented the wheel, established trade networks, and created the first writing system, cuneiform. Despite invasions and eventual decline, Sumerian culture influenced subsequent civilizations like the Akkadians, Assyrians, and Babylonians, leaving a lasting legacy on world history.

What material did the Sumerians primarily use to construct their cities?

• Wood

• Stone

• Metal

• Mud

Which invention is attributed to the Sumerians that significantly impacted transportation?

• The steam engine

• The sail

• The wheel

• The compass

What was the primary purpose of the early Sumerian writing system?

• Recording laws

• Religious texts

• Literature

• Accounting

Which epic story is associated with the Sumerian city of Uruk?

• The Odyssey

• The Iliad

• Beowulf

• The Epic of Gilgamesh

Who conquered the Sumerian city-states around 2300 BCE?

• Sargon of Akkad

• Cyrus the Great

• Hammurabi

• Nebuchadnezzar

Which cultures continued the legacy of Sumerian innovations?

• Egyptians and Persians

• Greeks and Romans

• Chinese and Indians

• Akkadians and Babylonians

What aspect of Sumerian culture has persisted into modern times?

• Their language

• Their architectural style

• Their religious practices

• Their legal and bureaucratic systems