Mesopotamia and its Geography, Urbanism in Mesopotamia, The Development of Writing in Mesopotamia, Literacy in Mesopotamia, and many other things are covered in Writing and City Life Chapter 2 Class 11 History.
Cuneiform: Ancient Mesopotamia's Form of Writing
Let's have a look at NCERT Solutions of Writing and City Life.
Q1: Why do we say that it was not natural fertility and high levels of food production that were the causes of early urbanisation?
Ans: The development of Mesopotamia from a prosperous village to a city proves that natural fertility and high levels of food production were not the only factors responsible for urbanization. There were other factors as well that caused urbanization, two of which have been explained below:
Q2: Which of the following were necessary conditions and which the causes of early urbanization, and which would you say were the outcome of the growth of cities:
(a) highly productive agriculture, (b) water transport, (c) the lack of metal and stone, (d) the division of labor, (e) the use of seals, (f) the military power of kings that made labor compulsory?
Ans:
Following were the necessary conditions for early urbanization:
The causes of early urbanization were:
The outcomes of the growth of cities were:
Mesopotamia Seals
Q3: Why were mobile animal herders not necessarily a threat to town life?
Ans:
The reasons:
The man tending a herd of animals.
Q4: Why would the early temple have been much like a house?
Ans. The people of Mesopotamia considered the almighty God the owner and protector of the cities, agricultural lands, fisheries, and herds. The gods had the power to both protect and destroy the resources of the people. Such beliefs infused the feelings of respect and fear in the people for their protector. Thus, the people made every effort to keep their gods satisfied and happy. This is how they used to seek blessings from the all-powerful. Building temples just like houses was also a way of providing all the necessary comfort to God and his family.
Q5: Of the new institutions that came into being once city life had begun, which would have depended on the initiative of the king?
Ans. With the rise of city life, several key institutions emerged, heavily reliant on the king’s initiative.
A temple of a later period, c.3000 BCE, with an open courtyard and in-and-out façade (as excavated).
Q6: What do ancient stories tell us about the civilization of Mesopotamia?
Ans: Literature is one of the most important sources to study the past. It helps us to peep into the past and get a glimpse of the ideas, cultures, and practices of the bygone era. The two most important pieces of literature or stories that throw some light on the Mesopotamian civilization have been discussed below.
Epic of Gilgamesh
There is a reference to the goddess of creation Aruru, and the god of heaven Anu. The religious beliefs of Mesopotamians also designed their notion of the afterlife. After death, one could move to either hell or heaven. Heaven guaranteed all pleasures, while hell was a sanctum of darkness.
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1. What are the main features of city life as described in the article? | ![]() |
2. How did writing influence the development of cities? | ![]() |
3. What role did trade play in the growth of cities during historical times? | ![]() |
4. How does the article describe the relationship between writing and urban administration? | ![]() |
5. What are some challenges associated with city life mentioned in the article? | ![]() |
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