What is the legacy of the Sumerian Empire?

The Sumerians were the first people in the world to create a complex civilization. They lived in Mesopotamia, in what is now Iraq, from about 4000 to 2000 BCE. They are known for their innovations in agriculture, government, religion, and writing.

Their legacy can be seen in many aspects of modern life. They invented the wheel, the plow, and the sailboat, which revolutionized transportation and trade. They also developed a system of writing using cuneiform script, which influenced the development of writing systems in other parts of the world. The Sumerians were the first to build cities, which were centers of trade, religion, and government. They also created a system of laws and government that was the foundation of many later civilizations.

One of the most lasting legacies of the Sumerians is their religion. They believed in many gods and goddesses, and their stories and myths influenced the religions of the ancient Near East, including the Babylonians and the Assyrians. The epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest known works of literature, was written in Sumerian and tells the story of a king who goes on a quest for immortality.