University of Central Florida (UCF) EUH2000 Western Civilization I Midterm Practice Exam

The correct answer is free commoners, as they constituted the largest portion of Sumerian society. In the context of Sumer, which is known as one of the world's earliest civilizations, the social structure was quite hierarchical but also had a significant base of free individuals who engaged in various occupations such as farming, craftsmanship, and trade.

Free commoners played a crucial role in the economy and daily life of Sumer. They were not bound by legal constraints in the same way that dependent commoners or slaves were. While dependent commoners also contributed to society, they relied more on the support of the elite class or landowners and were often tied to specific estates as laborers. In contrast, the overwhelmingly larger number of free commoners enjoyed certain rights and could own property, participate in trade, and make independent choices regarding their livelihoods.

The portion of the population that included elites was much smaller and typically consisted of rulers, priests, and other high-ranking individuals who held significant power and wealth. Slaves, while they did exist in Sumerian society, represented a minimal part of the overall population, often obtained through warfare or debt. Thus, free commoners' prominence in numbers and roles within the Sumerian civilization highlights their importance in the social