What is a reason Sumer declines as a civilization?
A- Sumerian rulers fought to gain territory
B- the Tigris and Euphrates rivers dried up
C- the climate changes drastically
D- Sumerian rulers outlawed religion
My guess is A
You are correct.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumer#Decline
The actual reason is that population went north, more dependence on irrigated fields, so the soil got more and more salty, and production decreased. You have to flush soils in irrigated lands, especially in hot arid regions (like Texas and Sumeria). No answer above is good, the instructor might be thinking either B or C, but in fact, neither is correct, it was just too much pressure on an arid land without enough flushing water. The rives were not drying up, all the water was being used by irrigation,at least the Tigris. So maybe that is what your instructor means on B.
And then again, maybe MsSue is right, but I suspect salty land played an important part.
It may be that the rulers sought more territory because their own was becoming unsuitable for agriculture.
Ok, Thank you both very much! I strongly appreciate it :)
You're very welcome.
To determine the reason for the decline of the Sumerian civilization, we need to understand the historical context. Sumer, located in present-day southern Iraq, was one of the earliest urban civilizations, thriving during the Bronze Age around 4500-1900 BCE. While various factors could have contributed to its decline, it's important to analyze each option:
A- Sumerian rulers fought to gain territory: Although Sumer did engage in conflicts with neighboring city-states, conquest and territorial expansion alone do not seem to be the primary reason for the decline. Additionally, continuous warfare was not a defining characteristic of Sumer's later years.
B- The Tigris and Euphrates rivers dried up: While this may have influenced the decline of other ancient civilizations, there is no substantial evidence to suggest that the Tigris and Euphrates rivers drying up were solely responsible for the fall of Sumer.
C- The climate changes drastically: Climate change did occur throughout history, but it is unlikely to be the sole reason for the decline of Sumer. Although fluctuations in climate might have impacted agricultural productivity, leading to some societal challenges, this alone does not explain the civilization's fall.
D- Sumerian rulers outlawed religion: There is no historical evidence to support this claim. Sumerian religion was a fundamental aspect of their society and culture, and there is no indication that their rulers ever outlawed it.
In light of this analysis, the most plausible answer is C - the climate changes drastically. It is important to note, however, that the decline of Sumer was probably influenced by a combination of multiple factors such as political instability, economic issues, foreign invasions, and internal conflicts within the city-states.