The Sumerians: Fall of the First Cities | Fall of Civilizations

Paul Cooper’s Fall of Civilizations travels to ancient Mesopotamia to explore Sumer’s cities, writing and political life. The documentary gives the ruins a human setting, drawing on the stories and surviving traces of people who lived in one of the world’s earliest urban societies. Set aside some time: this is a patient historical journey.

Original video: 8. The Sumerians – Fall of the First Cities — Fall of Civilizations · 2:27:48 · YouTube upload: 2020-08-16. Video and preview image belong to the original creator.

Why watch this video?

The episode is especially rewarding if you are interested in how a city depends on its surrounding landscape, institutions and neighbours. Sumer’s achievements were part of a long, connected history; the rise and fall of particular cities should not be mistaken for a single moment when civilisation began or ended everywhere.

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