What is a ziggurat, and why was it the centre of the city?

• A ziggurat is a tower-like stepped pyramid-shaped temple with several floors, above which the main temple was located .

• The top of the ziggurat was a holy place ; around it stood palaces and royal storehouses .
• The surrounding walls had only one entrance , as the ziggurat also served as the city's treasury .

Why it mattered so much:

• The Sumerians worshipped multiple gods , believed to have power over natural forces such as floods and winds , and built a temple for each.
• Each city built a ziggurat for its chief god , and the city grew around this main temple .
• The temple controlled all money-earning work - farming, trade and the carrying of goods.
• Only high priests and priestesses could enter the sacred temple. They were probably part of the ruling class .
• So society was clearly split into higher and lower groups. This is called a social hierarchy .