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Life in Ancient Sumer Trivia Quiz

Sumeria is one of the earliest known civilizations. It was a culture of many historical firsts and existed as a separate entity for well over 1,000 years. How well do you know your ancient history?

A multiple-choice quiz by tacapollo. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
tacapollo

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
347,213

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
630

Last 3 plays: Guest 96 (6/10), Guest 35 (9/10), Guest 147 (2/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of these did Sumer invent? Hint

Irrigation

Pottery

The wheel

Religion

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Question 2 of 10

2. From archaeological findings Sumerians invented writing for which of the following reasons? Hint

To write love poems

To write diplomatic messages to other rulers

To tell stories of the gods

To make government records

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Question 3 of 10

3. What was the name of a river along which the Sumerian civilization formed? Hint

Nile

Indus

Congo

Tigris

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Question 4 of 10

4. Sumeria is now located in which modern country which has had an overthrown government? Hint

Syria

Iraq

Egypt

Libya

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which modern letter is derived from the cuneiform symbol for plow? Hint

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Question 6 of 10

6. According to Sumerian legend, King Gilgamesh was sent out to tame a wild man, Enkidu, who was terrorizing the countryside. What eventually happened? Hint

They became close friends

Enkidu defeated Gilgamesh and dragged his body round the city

Gilgamesh killed Enkidu with his bronze spear

Gilgamesh fought with him, tearing down mountains. Eventually they killed each other

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Question 7 of 10

7. The Sumerian symbol for "turn" is also the sign for: Hint

Plough

Wheel

Government

Year

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Question 8 of 10

8. What type of government did Sumeria have? Hint

A group of kings jointly acting as a congress

One king ruling over a city-state

An emperorer ruling over his empire

One high king ruling over a group of city-states

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Question 9 of 10

9. Who was the first foreigner to conquer Sumeria? Hint

Ramses II

Hammurabi

Sargon

Gilgamesh

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Question 10 of 10

10. According to the epic tale of Gilgamesh, an incident occurred that was amazingly similar to a Biblical happening. Which? Hint

Egypt's plague of locusts

Adam and Eve

Noah and the flood

Moses parting the Red Sea

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 12 2024 : Guest 96: 6/10
Oct 03 2024 : Guest 35: 9/10
Sep 30 2024 : Guest 147: 2/10
Sep 29 2024 : Guest 178: 7/10

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of these did Sumer invent?

Answer: The wheel

The wheel was, of course, a key invention. (Sumer also went on to invent the potter's wheel, but pottery itelf is much older).

The Sumerians did not invent religion. It is thought that religion was developed by early man. Religion is believed to have been in existence as early as around 400,000 years ago. Even Neanderthals may have had spiritual beliefs based on their burial rituals.

2. From archaeological findings Sumerians invented writing for which of the following reasons?

Answer: To make government records

The earliest Sumeric records discovered have been tax records and business exchanges mostly involving agriculture and livestock. Written stories of the gods were not found until about 1,000 years later.

3. What was the name of a river along which the Sumerian civilization formed?

Answer: Tigris

One of the rivers which flowed through Sumeria is the Tigris. The other is the Euphrates. The region was later known as Mesopotamia, which means "between the rivers."

4. Sumeria is now located in which modern country which has had an overthrown government?

Answer: Iraq

Sumeria was located in what is now southern Iraq. Museums and archaeological sites containing precious Sumerian items have been damaged by bombs and looting, starting with the Persian Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm.)

5. Which modern letter is derived from the cuneiform symbol for plow?

Answer: A

The symbolic cuneiform representation of an actual plow was gradually altered over time. By the time it was passed down to Roman letters the plow had been flipped upside-down and a second handle (or leg) added. Although we don't know how it was pronounced in Sumerian, later invading civilizations referred to it as "Alph" which the Greeks translated into "Alpha."
Some academics believe "Alph" comes from Phoenician Alphabet denoting the inverted shape of the head of an OX, which was called Aliph (also meaning tamed).

6. According to Sumerian legend, King Gilgamesh was sent out to tame a wild man, Enkidu, who was terrorizing the countryside. What eventually happened?

Answer: They became close friends

Gilgamesh helped domesticate Enkidu and they became close friends. After Enkidu is made ill by the gods during a quest, he dies and Gilgamesh mourns over his body for days.

7. The Sumerian symbol for "turn" is also the sign for:

Answer: Government

The Sumerian symbol for "turn" also was the symbol for "government" which was frequently changing hands.

8. What type of government did Sumeria have?

Answer: One king ruling over a city-state

The civilization was made up of numerous city-states, each with its individual ruler. It was a constant power struggle between the city-states as to who ruled the country. It wasn't until the Akkadian king, Sargon, united the city-states into a confederation that one king ruled over a group of city-states. Sargon's victory in Mesopotamia also ended Sumerian rule.

9. Who was the first foreigner to conquer Sumeria?

Answer: Sargon

The Semitic speaking Sargon the Great of Agade (Akkad) conquered each individual city-state one by one until he controlled all of Sumeria. In the end he controled the lands from modern Syria on the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf.

10. According to the epic tale of Gilgamesh, an incident occurred that was amazingly similar to a Biblical happening. Which?

Answer: Noah and the flood

The Sumerians had their own story of Ziusudra who was instructed by the gods to construct an ark of certain proportions to carry animals in order to escape the flood unharmed.

Source: Author tacapollo

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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