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Reflection Paper On Sumerian Culture

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A Reflection of the Arts, Literature, and Religion in Sumer Mesopotamia, the area of the world that now comprises modern day Iraq, is the region of the world that is recognized as the beginning of civilized living. The Sumerian period was active from about 3500-2350 BCE and a closer look at the Sumerian people will establish it as a civilized society. (Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities, Eighth Edition 10) The Sumerians had a system of government, distinct social classes, had perfected a written form of communication, had acquired tools and skills to manufacture items, a shared belief system, and an urban life. In this essay, we will explore some of these traits in the literature, works of art, and religious values that the Sumerians …show more content…

(Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities, Eighth Edition 10) The architecture of the temples was intricate and had specific meaning behind its design. For example, a temple was routinely built upon a raised platform called a ziggurat in an effort to elevate themselves toward the gods, and Sumerians believed that their gods would actually come down from the heavens to greet them at some point in time. (Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities, Eighth Edition 11) The importance of these shrines cannot be understated as it relates to Sumerian culture. As stated above, the temples were the focus of society (Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities, Eighth Edition 10), so much so that the sole purpose of the government and the king himself was to build even larger shrines and temples to the gods in an effort to continuously build upon the spiritual well being of the people. (Culture and Values: A Survey of the Humanities, Eighth Edition 11) The construction of these temples required the use of tools and specialized skills that up until this time in history had not been realized. The establishment of cities, towns, and buildings is representative of a civilized society and far more advanced than our Stone Age predecessors. Another representation of civilized society is a written form of communication, and an epic

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