Civilizations

Location 

Major People 

Achievements

Mesopotamia 

Between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

First Civilization

Sumer

Where Mesopotamia was previously

Gilgamesh

First true civilization with a defined social hierarchy and a set religion; developed the first form of writing

Akkadia

Old Sumer

Sargon

Conquered Sumer, built the first empire. Was the first nation to have a diversity of cultures

Babylonia 

Areas of Mesopotamia

Hammurabi

First attempt at a codified law system; had a government created to protect the weaker parts of the populace. Both criminal and civil laws existed.

Persia

Stretches from Asia Minor to India

Darius

First bureaucracy, with governors meant to rule provinces and collect taxes for the governments. Developed a system of weights and measures, encouraged the use of currency, and expanded commerce. First monotheistic religion, Zoroastrianism.

Phoenicia 

Modern day Lebanon and Syria

First alphabet, spread the ideas of civilization. First civilization to rely on trade, not farming.