"Today, Mesopotamia occupies modern Iraq."
- An ancient civilization that developed in the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern-day Iraq.
Geography of Mesopotamia: The physical features of the region, its location, and climate.
Early Civilizations and Empires: Development of the Sumerian civilization and the rise and fall of Akkadian, Assyrian, and Babylonian empires.
Religion and Mythology: Polytheistic religion, creation myths, and religious practices.
Writing and Cuneiform: The invention of writing and the use of cuneiform script for recording information.
Literature and Epic Poetry: The epic of Gilgamesh, Isin-Larsa period, and the Babylonian creation myths.
Art and Architecture: The stylistic features, techniques, and symbols of Mesopotamian art and architecture.
Science and Technology: The development of astronomy, mathematics, and engineering.
Social and Political Organization: The structure of Mesopotamian society, including the role of kings and priests, slavery, and social classes.
Trade and Commerce: The economic system of Mesopotamia, including trade routes, commerce, and money.
War and Military Strategies: The use of chariots, cavalry, and infantry in Mesopotamian war tactics.
Agriculture and Irrigation: The development of irrigation systems, the use of canals and dams, and the cultivation of crops.
Legacy and Influence: The long-lasting impact of Mesopotamian civilization on world history, including its influence on the Hebrew Bible and the ancient Greeks.
Sumer: A civilization of ancient Mesopotamia that emerged in the late 4th millennium BCE, which is known for the development of the first writing system, cuneiform.
Akkadian Empire: A powerful empire founded by Sargon of Akkad in the 24th century BCE, which encompassed much of Mesopotamia and brought together Sumerian and Akkadian cultures.
Babylonian Empire: A powerful empire founded by Hammurabi in the 18th century BCE, which is known for Hammurabi's Code of Law and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Assyrian Empire: A military and administrative power that emerged in the 14th century BCE, which was known for its highly organized army and aggressive expansionism.
Chaldean Empire: A brief period of Mesopotamian history during which Nebuchadnezzar II ruled over the city of Babylon in the 6th century BCE, which is known for its significant advances in astronomy and mathematics.
Neo-Babylonian Empire: A revival of the Babylonian Empire that lasted from the 7th to the 4th century BCE, which is known for its architecture, including the rebuilding of the Temple of Marduk.
Achaemenid Empire: A Persian Empire that conquered much of Mesopotamia in the 6th century BCE, which is known for its tolerance of diverse cultures and religions.
Seleucid Empire: A Hellenistic empire that emerged after the death of Alexander the Great, which encompassed much of Mesopotamia and blended Greek and indigenous cultures.
Parthian Empire: A significant political and cultural power in the Near East that emerged in the 3rd century BCE, which is known for its military innovations, including tactics and archery.
Sassanid Empire: The last Persian empire to rule Mesopotamia, which emerged in the 3rd century CE, which is known for its advances in art, literature, and philosophy.
"The historical region included present-day Iraq and parts of present-day Iran, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey."
"The Sumerians and Akkadians (including Assyrians and Babylonians), each originating from different areas, dominated Mesopotamia from the beginning of recorded history (c. 3100 BC) to the fall of Babylon in 539 BC."
"It was conquered by the Achaemenid Empire."
"Mesopotamia was next conquered by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, and after his death, it became part of the Greek Seleucid Empire."
"It has been identified as having 'inspired some of the most important developments in human history, including the invention of the wheel, the planting of the first cereal crops, and the development of cursive script, mathematics, astronomy, and agriculture'."
"Around 150 BC, Mesopotamia was under the control of the Parthian Empire."
"It became a battleground between the Romans and Parthians, with western parts of the region coming under ephemeral Roman control."
"In 226 AD, the eastern regions of Mesopotamia fell to the Sassanid Persians."
"The division of the region between the Roman (Byzantine Empire from 395 AD) and Sassanid Empires lasted until the 7th century Muslim conquest of Persia."
"A number of primarily neo-Assyrian and Christian native Mesopotamian states existed between the 1st century BC and 3rd century AD, including Adiabene, Osroene, and Hatra."
"the development of cursive script"
"the Greek Seleucid Empire"
"The Sumerians"
"the fall of Babylon in 539 BC"
"from around 10,000 BC"
"The Roman Empire"
"modern Iraq"
"The Byzantine Empire from 395 AD"
"mathematics, astronomy, and agriculture"