Mesopotamia Facts
- Mesopotamia is a historical region located in the eastern Mediterranean, and it is considered the birthplace of some of the world’s earliest civilizations, including Sumer, Akkad, Assyria, and Babylonia.
- The name “Mesopotamia” means “the land between two rivers,” referring to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that flow through the region.
- The civilization of Sumer, which emerged in Mesopotamia around 4000 BCE, is considered the first civilization in world history. It is known for its advanced system of writing (cuneiform), as well as its contributions to agriculture, architecture, and metallurgy.
- The Akkadian Empire, which emerged around 2334 BCE, was the first empire in world history. It was formed by the Akkadian-speaking people who conquered Sumer and established a centralized government.
- The Assyrian Empire, which emerged in the 14th century BCE, was one of the most powerful empires of its time. It controlled a vast territory that extended from the Persian Gulf to Egypt, and it is known for its military prowess and its use of brutal tactics to maintain control over its subjects.
- The Babylonian Empire, which emerged in the 18th century BCE, was known for its cultural achievements, including the development of the first known legal code (the Code of Hammurabi) and the construction of the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
- Mesopotamia is also known for its advancements in mathematics and science, including the invention of the sexagesimal number system (base 60), which is still used today in measuring time and angles.
- The region has been ruled by various empires throughout its history, such as the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Romans and Islamic caliphates.
- Mesopotamia is also known for its contributions to the field of art and architecture, such as the ziggurat, a type of massive stepped pyramid used as a temple and place of worship.
- Today, the region of Mesopotamia is mostly located in modern-day Iraq, but parts of it also extend into Syria, Turkey, and Iran.