Contributions to Civilization: The Sumerians, Hebrews, and Egyptians

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Some of the world’s greatest civilizations have advanced and prospered next to the protective embrace of some of the world’s greatest rivers. The Sumerians, Hebrews, and Egyptians all prospered from the great rivers which their mighty civilizations once resided by, earning them the title of river valley civilizations. These now extinct societies were the first true civilizations of the ancient world. These civilizations prospered thanks to their riverine environments and as a result of this prosperity were able to advance skills, pursue knowledge, and develop culture. Ancient cultures such as the Sumerians, Hebrews, and Egyptians made a variety of contributions to civilization, some of which can still be seen to this very day.
The Sumerians, an ancient civilization nestled in between the great Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, made a variety of contributions to civilization. From advancements in literature, government, law, education, and agriculture the contributions of this once great society have a profound effect on our society even today. Possibly one of the greatest Sumerian contributions to civilization today, the invention of writing, has proven to be an irreplaceable component to the advancement of civilization in both the past and the present. The following excerpt from an article compiled by The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago describes the significance of this Sumerian development, “The invention of writing was the dawn of the information revolution. This great technological advance allowed news and ideas to be carried to distant places without having to rely on a messenger's memory” (“Ancient Mesopotamia”). Thanks to the Sumerian’s invention of writing ancient civilizations and today’s society can re...

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...ns. All these contributions have had a profound impact on civilization and many continue to have an impact on today’s society. Thanks to the contributions made by these once great societies not only were they able to prosper but also civilization was able to and continues to be able to prosper.

Works Cited
"Ancient Mesopotamia: The Invention of Writing." The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. University of Chicago, n.d. Web. 22 Oct 2013.
"Egypt: Secrets of an Ancient World." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, n.d. Web. 22 Oct 2013.
Fiero, Gloria. The Humanistic Tradition. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 2011. Print.
Goldman, Jonathan L., ed. "Monotheism." Webster's New Pocket Dictionary. 2000. Print.
Tsuneishi, Monica. "How Ancient Papyrus Was Made." University of Michigan. University of Michigan, 04 Sept. 2013. Web. 22 Oct 2013.

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