Below is the first in a series of articles from Mark McLaughlin showcasing the 16 civilizations in Ancient Civilizations of the Middle East.

“He carved on a stone stela all of his toils, and built the wall of Uruk-Haven, the wall of the sacred Eanna Temple, the holy sanctuary. Look at its wall which gleams like copper. Inspect its inner wall, the likes of which no one can equal.”

-from Tablet I, Epic of Gilgamesh c.2750 BC

Sumer is considered by many authorities to be not only the first civilization in Mesopotamia but also THE first true civilization on earth, or at least the first recognizable as such. For perhaps as long as several hundred years it was also the ONLY civilization. Sumer is credited with inventing or at least applying agriculture, animal husbandry, pottery, literature, urban living and, what is arguably its greatest and most lasting achievement – the brewing of beer!

In the game, Sumer can be found at the lower (south-southeastern) end of the Fertile Crescent, where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers meet what is now known as the  Persian Gulf. (In the 3,500 years prior to the rise of Persia, it went by many other names, most of which simply meant “the sea.”). This area and that of Ur to its immediate south, encompass the regions around where its great cities of Uruk, Ur, and Lagash sprung up. Sumer is well placed to gain Growth Bonuses from Fertile Areas, and  starts with a Sea area. The mountain chain a few areas to its north offers a line of defense with bonus Strongholds to hold back invaders. The extra card draws are a testament to this innovative civilization, and thus gives Sumer more options than most other civilizations.

To find out more about Sumer check out:

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-middle-east/sumer

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