The Sumerians: History's First Recorded Civilization

by Duncan Ryan

In the study of history, it is common that we celebrate and attach importance to the great "firsts" that arise. The ancient Sumerians can be said to be the first true historical civilization, as it was they that invented the written language that would allow historians to look back at accounts of ancient events.

Arising from proto-historic roots in the southernmost region of Mesopotamia, the Sumerians would gradually rise to become the world's first true civilization, predating even ancient Egypt and the Indus Valley civilization. They would be among the first to organize their communities into larger cities, develop central administration, grow crops using complex methods of irrigation, and by the time their more than 1,000 year domination of Mesopotamia was over, would become the template and inspiration for the great civilizations of Assyria and Babylon that were to follow them.

The Sumerians: History's First Recorded Civilization is a historical book meant to be informative yet approachable, and requires no background in the study of Near Eastern languages or civilizations. This book conveys to the reader the remarkable history of this earliest of known human civilizations in an enjoyable and easy to comprehend manner. Containing several full-color illustrations, a historical summary of the periods of history that led to the Sumerian era and comprised it, descriptions of key archaeological sites, a section on the historical deciphrement of the Sumerian language, a selected bibliography of key works for those who wish to learn more about the Sumerians, and much, much more, this book endeavors to act as a key piece of groundwork for the history buff interested in learning about the first civilization in recorded history itself.

This work also contains detailed descriptions of the kings and events of the Akkadian empire, which briefly conquered the Sumerian city-states late in the 3rd millennium BCE and would have a massive impact of the history of Sumer. Covering the history of the Sumerians from the earliest days of the pre-dynastic periods to the invasions of the Amorites under Hammurabi, this book takes the reader through the entire history of Sumer and endeavors to give as much historical background and context as possible along the way.

Genres: History

146 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 28, 2016

Reviews

[Petra X]

The Sumerians were the first civilization to docment themselves in writing, cuneiform. Unfortunately it seems they only wrote about dynasties, kings, how long they reigned, their armies, battles and conquests. Nothing at all about their private lives, unless you count wanting a son, nothing about how they lived, education, commerce, culture or women or perhaps this is the information the author selected for his book. There is a mention of a Queen, Kug-Bau who was a brewer of beer and became Queen of Kish due to 'divine intervention'!

However, the book says, "Unlike the Sumerians, who left much of their culture and history behind for modern scholars to study," but gives no examples of anything cultural at all. Perhaps the author, like the ancient Sumerian documenters, is really only interested in kings and their wars of subjugation and annexation. It makes for a thoroughly boring book.

[Coenraad · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this short and easily readable book, Ryan telescopes a vast amount of information about the first civilization to record itself and its achievements on a large scale. The overview of its history and development through various phases is valuable. I appreciated the appendices particularly, giving a glimpse of Sumerian vocabulary and mathematics, and giving summaried information about Sumer's most important deities and neighbours. I will surely read the author's further forays into interesting historical epochs.

Dié kort boekie verskaf 'n netjies saamgevatte blik op die oudste samelewing wat homself goed kon opteken: dié van Sumer. Die skrywer trek die groot hoeveelheid beskikbare navorsing knap saam - ek sal hom graag volg op soortgelyke ekskursies in ander historiese tydvakke.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have enjoyed these short histories, but the use of the word 'enigmatic' has got to be drastically cut down. I believe it was the Hittite book that this word was used so often I subtracted a star. This book did not have nearly the number of occurrences of the word, but enough to still notice. I do enjoy the work though and the general history and archaeology sections are my favorites. I am less inclined toward the military aspects of so many of these ancient civilizations. Unfortunately that was a huge part of their lives and thus can not be avoided.

[Kaberoi Rua · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accurate and concise overview of history’s first recorded civilization. The author provides a vast historical analysis of the Sumerian civilization in a simplified read of less than 150 pages. I recommend this book to any new reader of the Sumerian Civilization, an awesome overview to an ancient civilization with many firsts, some of which are still prevalent today. Great read!

[Seren · Rating 3 out of 5]

As short introductions go, its ok. Interesting to read about the Kings (or Queens) and pantheon, how each of the neighbouring groups was alternately ruled and became the rulers influencing the other. What was noticeably lacking was the way in which these early states gradually eroded the freedoms of women - it mentions the changing of laws, but not the impacts of them - which were further adapted and passed into modern European society via Ancient Greece. While I do understand that this is a complex topic, a token acknowledgement would have been nice.

[Sami Albanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful read

A Well written book, concise, and very simplified. I wish it addresses more economic, economic, cultural, and art history of the Sumerians. It's treaties on language and math are too short and make hunger for more.

[Thomas G. Wessels Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Read on Sumer

Good read, lays the foundation for further more in-depth readings on Sumer. Well organized, easy to follow, I recommend it for anyone looking to gain knowledge of the Sumerian civilization.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief but incisive introduction..