Sumer and Babylon

Iselia Garza

November 2, 2016

Sumer And Babylon

        Sumer and Babylon are two of the most known civilizations of history. Though these two differ from each other, they are significantly similar in terms of religion, technology, and societies. Sumer was known as the birth of civilization, because it is said to have been the very first one. The Sumerian language was not depicted until about the 19th century. At this time, 1,500 symbols became alphabetical. Even though Sumer was a male-dominated place, women were protected by late Sumerian law. They were able to achieve higher status there in Sumer than in any other civilization. Being a woman, you had the same roles your entire life. You would go from being a daughter, to a wife and if you outlived your husband, a widow who could then remarry. Sumerians were the creators of many techniques and tools that we still use today. The written language, cuneiform is considered one of the most important historic developments. They invented the first wheeled vehicle, the potter’s wheel and so many other great inventions. Another huge part of today that was created by the Sumerians is mathematics. Algebra, geometry and other math systems they created based on the number 60.

        Babylon is simply Sumer with added attachments. Babylonia emerged when Hammurabi created an empire out of the former kingdom of Sumer. The Babylonians used the innovations of the Sumerians, along with a hint of their own ideas and new morals. Babylon’s Hammurabi code applied to all city-states under Babylonian control. This code was teaching that whatever crime was committed, the punishment for the criminal would be equal. The Sumerians however, had no record of universal punishment. Some would say that without laws such as the Hammurabi code, there would be no justice. This is why the Babylonians were seen as the more “civil” society. Another reason they were known as the superior of the two is due to the fact that they already had many inventions and ways of life left by the Sumerians. They were dealt a base, while the Sumerians built everything from the ground up. One of the seven wonders of the world, the hanging garden, was built by the Babylonians. They were the creators of jewelry. They made them out of metal and gems. While both civilizations religion was polytheistic, they still had many differences. Babylonians worshipped many gods, such as anu, Ishtar, and nabu. Sumerians did not have a range of different gods. Each city had its own patrons and priests. . When the time came for them to be “finished with life”, their only way of fortune after death would be through pleading, wailing and begging.