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The rise and fall of history’s first empire - Soraya Field Fiorio

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History’s first empire rose out of a hot, dry landscape, without rainfall to nourish crops, without trees or stones for building. In spite of all this, its inhabitants built the world’s first cities, with monumental architecture and large populations— and they built them entirely out of mud. Soraya Field Fiorio details the rise and fall of the Sumerian empire.

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Each Sumerian city-state was dedicated to a patron deity, and this deity’s temple––called the ziggurat––was the city’s most important building. The rulers of each city-state performed a hybrid role that was part priest and part king. Using these details, what can you infer about the importance of religion in traditional Sumerian life?

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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Soraya Field Fiorio
  • Director Tomás Pichardo-Espaillat
  • Narrator Susan Zimmerman
  • Sound Designer Cem Misirlioglu, Mikey Coltun
  • Music Cem Misirlioglu, Mikey Coltun
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Fact-Checker Joseph Isaac

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