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HISTODEX

Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization

c. 3500 BC–c. 2000 BC

Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia.

A historical reconstruction of cities, technology, and culture at southern Mesopotamia, showing the setting of Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization
Reconstruction note: This educational reconstruction is not a primary-source image of the event.
Period
c. 3500 BC–c. 2000 BC
Kind
Cultural event
Regions
Middle East
Keywords
Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization · southern Mesopotamia · ancient · background · turning point · impact

Follow the story · Four stages

  1. Background

    Political, social, and commercial changes around southern Mesopotamia formed the setting: Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia.

    • In and around southern Mesopotamia, the setting took shape as Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia.
    • Core event: Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia.
    • Connection to the next stage: Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia. The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.
    Historical reconstruction of Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization's background: In and around southern Mesopotamia, the setting took shape as Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia.

  2. Course

    Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia. The choices of the participating powers and responses of local communities shaped the course.

    • Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia.
    • The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.
    • Conditions behind the action: In and around southern Mesopotamia, the setting took shape as Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia.
    Historical reconstruction of Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization's central action: Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia.

  3. Outcome

    As a result, The emergence of city-states and written administration provided institutional foundations for later West Asian states.

    • The emergence of city-states and written administration provided institutional foundations for later West Asian states.
    • Process producing the result: Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia. The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.
    • Question carried forward: In the longer term, the emergence of city-states and written administration provided institutional foundations for later west asian states.
    Historical reconstruction of Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization's immediate aftermath: The emergence of city-states and written administration provided institutional foundations for later West Asian states.

  4. Historical significance

    The significance of this event lies in the fact that the emergence of city-states and written administration provided institutional foundations for later west asian states.

    • In the longer term, the emergence of city-states and written administration provided institutional foundations for later west asian states.
    • Immediate consequence: The emergence of city-states and written administration provided institutional foundations for later West Asian states.
    • Historical turning point: Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia.
    Historical reconstruction of Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization's long-term consequences: In the longer term, the emergence of city-states and written administration provided institutional foundations for later west asian states.

Related events

  1. c. 3500 BC

    Earlier conditions

    Historical reconstruction of the “Earlier conditions” stage in Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization

    Earlier conditions — Background: In and around southern Mesopotamia, the setting took shape as Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia.

  2. c. 3500 BC

    Forces in motion

    Historical reconstruction of the “Forces in motion” stage in Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization

    Forces in motion — Build-up: Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia. The change unfolded through decisions by rulers, institutions, and local communities.

  3. c. 3500 BC–c. 2000 BC

    Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization

    Current event

    Historical reconstruction of the “Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization” stage in Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization

    Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization — Central transition: Cities, temples, cuneiform writing, and irrigation-based institutions developed in southern Mesopotamia.

  4. c. 2000 BC

    Immediate aftermath

    Historical reconstruction of the “Immediate aftermath” stage in Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization

    Immediate aftermath — Immediate result: The emergence of city-states and written administration provided institutional foundations for later West Asian states.

  5. c. 2000 BC

    Enduring consequences

    Historical reconstruction of the “Enduring consequences” stage in Rise of Sumerian Urban Civilization

    Enduring consequences — Long-term significance: In the longer term, the emergence of city-states and written administration provided institutional foundations for later west asian states.

Sources