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The ancient Sumerians are one of the most puzzling and intriguing civilizations in history. Appearing seemingly out of nowhere during the Stone Age, their society demonstrated remarkable advancements in organization, and achieved economic and social stability. Notable contributions from the Sumerians include the earliest known written language, the division of time into minutes and seconds, the founding of large cities, the invention of the wheel, and even the establishment of trade. And, of course, they were also responsible for one very surprising invention... beer!
The Sumerian civilization was so prosperous that by the fourth millennium BC, over ten city-states had already emerged. Their religious practices, customs, and beliefs laid the foundation for future cultures, influencing societies throughout history. In fact, elements of Sumerian customs continue to shape our modern practices, many of which may surprise you. Let’s explore ten of the most peculiar facts about these ancient people.
10. Deep Faith in Vampires
Vampire tales have been around for ages, but did you know that the ancient Sumerians had their own version of bloodthirsty creatures? They believed in two types of demons who thrived on consuming blood or human life force: the Ekimmu and the Utukku.
The Ekimmu were vengeful spirits of the deceased who had been left unburied, wandering the earth and resting only underground—this eerily mirrors the classic vampire trope we know today. The Utukku, on the other hand, were the spirits of the departed who had not received proper offerings at their graves, the forgotten souls who had been overlooked by their loved ones.
As a result, the Utukku would rise from the afterlife to torment all they encountered, forever seeking sustenance from their victims. Much like the vampires from Eastern European folklore, Utukku were relentless predators that could hardly be destroyed. Despite their evil nature, one Sumerian legend recounts the story of Ea-Bani, an Utukku who befriended the hero Gilgamesh and ultimately became his ally.
9. Ancient Tales of Werewolves
In one of the earliest recorded stories, dating back to 2100 BC, researchers uncovered the first known account of humans transforming into wolves. Written in cuneiform on twelve clay tablets found at Nineveh (modern-day Kuyunjik) in 1853, the story is part of the Epic of Gilgamesh. It tells of Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk, who is pursued by the goddess Ishtar. He rejects her advances, reminding her of the tragic fates of her former lovers, whom she transformed into wolves.
Many scholars agree that belief in werewolves was deeply embedded in ancient Sumerian culture. This belief in shape-shifting creatures may have even played a significant role in the downfall of King Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from approximately 605 to 562 BC. Nebuchadnezzar was responsible for the destruction of the First Temple of Jerusalem and for creating one of the ancient world’s Seven Wonders—the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. In the biblical book of Daniel, it’s revealed that Nebuchadnezzar suffered from a severe form of depression, eventually spiraling into psychosis. During this period, he believed he had become a wolf, a condition now known as lycanthropy.
8. The Sumerians Believed in a Flat Earth
The ancient Sumerians envisioned the cosmos as a series of three domes enveloping a flat earth. Each dome was constructed from rare, precious stones. The first and lowest dome was said to be the home of the stars and was made of jasper. The second dome housed the Igigi, the 'gods of the heavens,' and was built from saggilmut stone. The third and largest dome, which was the embodiment of An, the 'god of the sky,' was composed of luludānītu stone.
The celestial bodies were closely tied to certain deities. The Sumerians identified Venus with Inanna, the goddess of war, love, and sexuality. The sun was associated with Utu, the god of justice, her brother, while the moon was represented by Nanna, their father. Humans were not believed to ascend to the heavens, as the skies were the exclusive realm of the gods. Instead, a person's soul was destined to travel to Kur (later known as Irkalla), the underworld situated deep beneath the earth's surface.
7. Sumerian Tablets Reflect the Creation Story of the Bible
Creation myths are prevalent across all cultures worldwide. Many scholars argue that the Bible presents a simplified version of the Sumerian creation story, which is preserved on fragments of ancient cuneiform tablets. The Sumerians believed the gods had always existed, even before the creation of the world. Although only limited Sumerian literature survives from the third millennium BC, it references a time before the gods' reign, when only An (Heaven) and Ki (Earth) existed. During this period, darkness prevailed, with neither the sun nor the moon. The earth was abundant with water, green in appearance, but lifeless and barren of vegetation.
The characters found on Sumerian cuneiform tablets share a remarkable resemblance to the Egyptian hieroglyphs, and there appears to be a significant overlap between the content of the ancient cuneiform tablets and certain Egyptian beliefs regarding the origins of life on Earth. Over five hundred thousand cuneiform tablets have been discovered, though only about 60,000 have been translated and made available to the public.
6. The First Pyramid Builders
The Sumerians were the only civilization in close proximity to Egypt that constructed step pyramids, which were pivotal in their religious and societal practices. Ziggurats, which emerged around 2200 BC, were striking pyramid-like structures, either rectangular or square, and stood around 52 meters (170 feet) tall. These ziggurats lacked internal chambers but featured sloping sides and garden walkways, one of which was the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon. While ziggurats may not have the same fame as the pyramids of Giza, they were the world's first step-pyramids.
Despite the Sumerian civilization being the foundation of many aspects of modern life, they constructed the first ziggurat step pyramid over 400 years before Egypt's pyramids. Tepe Sialk, located in central Iran near the Caspian Sea and Turkmenistan, is home to one of the earliest ziggurats, and while there are other ziggurats in Iran, Tepe Sialk remains the oldest. Some scholars controversially suggest that both the step pyramids and the Egyptian pyramids were created by the same people, arguing that such an innovation, requiring advanced engineering and reflecting unique belief systems, would have been refined over time.
5. Savage Warriors
The city-states of Sumer were in a constant state of warfare, battling over territory, resources, and water. Alliances were frequently formed and dissolved, with each city-state having its own ruler. However, this changed when Eannatum of Lagash rose to power and successfully united all the Sumerian city-states under his leadership. The first Sumerian empire was established and endured until around 2234 BC when Sargon the Great, a brilliant military strategist, emerged. Sargon of Akkad, who we will revisit later, utilized both chariots and infantry in battle. His infantry was armed with a deadly combination of swords, spears, clubs, maces, and slings, while his chariot units were equipped with bows, arrows, and spears.
The frequent wars between Sumer’s city-states spurred the advancement of military tactics and technologies, with the invention of the chariot standing out as one of the most significant innovations of the time. The typical Sumerian chariot had four wheels and was pulled by at least four onagers. One of the key features of these chariots was how the Sumerians controlled the onagers. They used rings placed in the animals' nostrils, and reins attached to the chariot allowed for nearly perfect control during battle.
4. Sumer’s First Female Ruler Became a Goddess
Around 2500 BC, Kubaba (also known as Kug-Baba or Kubau) became the only queen to ever rule Sumer. Her reign, which lasted for a century, was marked by prosperity and peace. Her name appears on the Sumerian King List, which chronicles the names and achievements of the Sumerian rulers. After Kubaba, her son, Puzur-Suen, succeeded her. Her leadership was said to have been endorsed by the Annunaki gods, an approval that held immense significance. Upon her death, Kubaba was deified and became venerated by the Anatolian and Hurrian cultures.
Interestingly, there is a twist in Kubaba’s story prior to her ascent to the throne. Some scholars believe that Kubaba may have been a tavern keeper, a respectable position in ancient times, and one of the few roles occupied by women. Today, only one statue of her remains as a testament to her legacy.
3. Was Gilgamesh’s Father a Demon?
The tales, stories, and myths surrounding Gilgamesh were inspired by a real king who is believed to have ruled Uruk around 2500 BC. His name is also listed on the Sumerian King List. Over the centuries, countless myths and legends evolved around his feats and adventures, eventually giving rise to the writing of the Epic of Gilgamesh.
However, Gilgamesh might have been more than just a man. According to a manuscript from around 2400 BC, Gilgamesh’s father was a Lillu-demon. This demon belonged to a group of four vampire-like creatures, with others such as Lilitus (the female vampire demon, later associated with Lilith in Hebrew tradition), Ardat Lilli (a female demon who preyed on men at night), and Irdu Lilli (a male demon who targeted women during the night). Lilitu, the most notorious of these, was a sexually deviant yet awe-inspiring vampire, akin to certain modern depictions in literature. Over time, versions of these stories spread, influencing Babylonian and Hebrew cultures, and eventually, similar myths found their way across the globe.
2. And Was He Also Noah?
Flood myths are present across many cultures and religions worldwide. While the story of Noah and his Ark is well known in the Bible, its roots trace back to ancient Mesopotamian civilizations long before the Bible was written. The Epic of Gilgamesh, dating back nearly five millennia, is one of the world’s oldest stories. Within it, the tale of Utnapishtim unfolds—a man warned by the gods about an impending deluge. Utnapishtim builds a vast boat, reinforcing it with pitch and tar, and gathers his family, animals, and seeds aboard. After days of storms and rain, just like Noah, Utnapishtim sends a bird to search for dry land.
In the 19th century, the Mesopotamian Flood myth was recognized as the oldest known flood legend after scholars deciphered numerous ancient cuneiform tablets. The parallels between the Mesopotamian and Hebrew stories are striking, leading scholars to conclude that the Mesopotamian account is the origin of the legend. Notably, the Mesopotamian narrative includes specific details that could not have been derived from the Hebrew story alone.
1. Was Moses a Renowned Sumerian?
Sargon the Great, the Akkadian ruler who unified the city-states of Sumer around 2334 BC after defeating their armies, has a mysterious past. One version of his legend suggests he was the secret child of a high priestess, placed in a basket and set adrift on a river—remarkably similar to the biblical tale of Moses. Other Sumerian accounts describe him as the son of a gardener who rose to become the cupbearer to the king.
However, the cuneiform tablets offer the most detailed insights into his life, supporting both versions of his origin story. One such tablet, 'The Legend of Sargon,' claims that he was the illegitimate child of a changeling, which may refer to either a high priestess or the goddess Inanna. To conceal her pregnancy, his mother abandoned him in a basket on the Euphrates River, insulating it with tar to protect him. The basket was eventually discovered by Akki, the gardener of Ur-Zababa, the King of Kish.
