Civilizations of Mesopotamia: Key Developments and Concepts 2

Tigris & Euphrates

Home to first major civilizations in Mesopotamia, characterized by unpredictable and violent rivers, low lying and flood-prone terrain, and scarcity of natural resources.

Ubaid

Period from 5900-4300 BC, known for starting large-scale irrigation at Choga Mami and developing trade networks, public architecture, and social hierarchy.

Uruk

Period from 4300-3500 BC, characterized by advancements surpassing Ubaid in various aspects, setting the tone for future developments.

Sumerians

Civilization from 3500-2270 BC, credited with inventing cuneiform writing, establishing political power through city-states and a kingly/priestly elite, and building ziggurats.

Epic of Gilgamesh

Ancient Sumerian and Akkadian epic poem about King Gilgamesh, his adventures, and quest for immortality, reflecting Sumerian culture and beliefs.

Sargon of Akkad

Ruler from 2270 BC who created a multicultural empire stretching from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf, blending Akkadian and Sumerian cultures.

Naram-Sin

Grandson of Sargon of Akkad, the second major ruler in the Akkadian Empire, known for proclaiming himself as a god and being a patron of the arts.

Hammurabi & Babylon

Hammurabi, ruler from 1792 BC, led the Babylonians to power, created the Code of Hammurabi, and emphasized the god Marduk and unification.

Irrigation

Process of digging ditches and redirecting river paths for resource use, exemplified by the large-scale irrigation at Choga Mami during the Ubaid period.

Cuneiform

Early writing system involving carving wedge-shaped symbols on clay tablets, notably used by the Sumerians for recording various information.

City-States

Independent states centered around a city, holding political power over the surrounding territory, a common political structure in Mesopotamia.

Polytheism

Belief in or worship of multiple gods, a central aspect of Mesopotamian religion, often practiced at ziggurats, the primary religious structures.

Ziggurats

Prominent religious structures in Mesopotamia, serving as temples for priests and helpers, symbolizing the connection between humans and gods.

The Code of Hammurabi

Earliest known written legal code, featuring principles like 'an eye for an eye,' presumption of innocence, and differentiated punishments based on social status.