Sumerian Society
The Sumerian society was very urban in character. Many large and small cities dotted the landscape. Physically, the cities were dull and unattractive. The streets were very narrow and dark; they were unpaved, unsanitary and dirty. The houses were walled mud-brick compounds of several rooms. Occasionally, you would see a more elegant two-story house.
Although the cities were dirty, they had broad boulevards and many bazaars. There was also a public square. Above all, there was a precinct with it's big and monumental temple and tall tower. The citizens took great pride in their city.
There was also a rather small population which may have varied from 10,000-50,000 people. The cities consisted of free citizens and foreign and native slaves. Some of the free citizens were were important palace officials and rich land-owners; these people formed a noble class. Most of the free citizens were farmers, fisherman, craftmen, merchants, and scribes. Clients were dependent of places like temples, palaces, and rich estates; they were given tiny plots of land for temporary possession. They were given rations of their basic needs, such as food and clothing. Slaves could borrow money, start a business, and buy their own freedom.
The basic society was family. Marriage was arranged by the parents, and was legally recognized as soon as the groom presented a bridal gift to the bride's family. Women had a lot of rights; they could own property and start a business. Couples could get divorced, and could marry a second wife if the first was childless. Children were under the authority of their parents, and could be sold into slavery.
Although the cities were dirty, they had broad boulevards and many bazaars. There was also a public square. Above all, there was a precinct with it's big and monumental temple and tall tower. The citizens took great pride in their city.
There was also a rather small population which may have varied from 10,000-50,000 people. The cities consisted of free citizens and foreign and native slaves. Some of the free citizens were were important palace officials and rich land-owners; these people formed a noble class. Most of the free citizens were farmers, fisherman, craftmen, merchants, and scribes. Clients were dependent of places like temples, palaces, and rich estates; they were given tiny plots of land for temporary possession. They were given rations of their basic needs, such as food and clothing. Slaves could borrow money, start a business, and buy their own freedom.
The basic society was family. Marriage was arranged by the parents, and was legally recognized as soon as the groom presented a bridal gift to the bride's family. Women had a lot of rights; they could own property and start a business. Couples could get divorced, and could marry a second wife if the first was childless. Children were under the authority of their parents, and could be sold into slavery.