Early Societies
Writing and City Life
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Exercises
ANSWER IN BRIEF
Q1. Why do we say that it was not natural fertility and high levels of food production that were the causes of early urbanisation?
Answer – Early urbanisation did not happen simply because the land was naturally fertile or because food was produced in large quantities. Many regions with fertile soil never developed cities.
Urbanisation occurred when people:
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Learned to store and manage surplus food
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Organised irrigation systems
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Developed administration and control over resources
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Created specialised occupations such as scribes, traders and craftsmen
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Established trade networks and systems of distribution
Cities grew because of planned social organisation and administrative control, not just because of fertile land or high food production.
Q2. Necessary conditions, causes, and outcomes of early urbanisation
(a) Highly productive agriculture
✅ Necessary condition
A surplus of food was essential to support a non-farming population such as craftsmen, traders, priests and administrators.
(b) Water transport
✅ Cause of urbanisation
Rivers allowed easy transport of heavy goods at low cost, encouraged long-distance trade, and helped cities grow as commercial centres.
(c) The lack of metal and stone
✅ Cause of urbanisation
Since Mesopotamia lacked metal and stone, people depended on trade to obtain them, which promoted exchange networks and the growth of cities.
(d) The division of labour
✅ Outcome of the growth of cities
As cities expanded, people specialised in different occupations like scribes, artisans, traders and priests.
(e) The use of seals
✅ Outcome of the growth of cities
Seals were developed to regulate trade, authenticate goods and maintain records—needs that arose with urban life.
(f) The military power of kings that made labour compulsory
✅ Outcome of the growth of cities
Powerful kings and armies emerged to control labour, build canals and protect cities, strengthening urban administration.
Q3. Why were mobile animal herders not necessarily a threat to town life?
Mobile animal herders were not necessarily a threat to town life because they were economically connected with towns. They supplied towns with meat, milk, wool and animal skins, while towns provided them with grain, tools and other manufactured goods.
There was a relationship of mutual dependence between herders and town dwellers. In many cases, mobile herders also helped in transporting goods and trade. Therefore, instead of being enemies, they were often an important part of the urban economy.
Q4. Why would the early temple have been much like a house?
The early temples were much like houses because they were believed to be the residence of the city’s god or goddess. Just like a house, a temple had rooms, courtyards and storage spaces.
The god was thought to own land, wealth and livestock, and the temple managed these resources. Food was prepared for the god, offerings were stored, and people worked for the temple just as members of a household worked for its head.
Thus, temples functioned like large households and were organised in a similar manner.
ANSWER IN A SHORT ESSAY
Q5. Of the new institutions that came into being once city life had begun, which would have depended on the initiative of the king?
Once city life had begun, several new institutions emerged, many of which depended directly on the initiative and authority of the king. Kings played a central role in organising and controlling urban life.
The king was responsible for building and maintaining irrigation systems, such as canals and embankments, which were essential for agriculture. This required organised labour and strong authority. The construction of city walls, roads, and public buildings also depended on royal planning and compulsory labour enforced by the king.
Kings established law courts and issued laws to maintain order and regulate social and economic activities. They also controlled the army, which protected cities and enforced obedience. Large administrative institutions such as palacesfunctioned under royal authority and were centres for governance and resource management.
Thus, institutions related to administration, law, irrigation, defence, and public construction depended heavily on the initiative of the king in early urban societies.
Q6. What do ancient stories tell us about the civilisation of Mesopotamia?
Ancient Mesopotamian stories, such as myths and epics, give us valuable information about the civilisation of Mesopotamia. They show that the people believed strongly in gods and goddesses who controlled natural forces like floods, storms and fertility. Humans were seen as servants of the gods, created to work for them.
These stories also reflect the importance of kingship. Kings were shown as powerful figures chosen by the gods to rule, maintain justice and protect cities. The famous Epic of Gilgamesh highlights ideas about heroism, friendship and the fear of death, showing human concerns of the time.
Ancient stories reveal a society that valued city life, law, and order, but also feared the unpredictable power of nature. They help us understand the social values, religious beliefs and everyday problems faced by Mesopotamian people.