Mesopotamia, the

cradle of history
Roselyn Delrosario, Lherissa Felipe, Angelica Baniaga
 Mesopotamia
is considered by scholars as"the cradle ofhistory." It is also the "cradle of world
civilization." It was the earliest of the five cradles of civilization where people
first wrote records of their society (like the Nile Valley in Egypt, the Indus Valley,
the Yangtze Valley in China, and the Yucatan Peninsula in South America).
Mesopotamian writing is the earliest known writing in the world. Here, in the
Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia, the first human settlements advanced into
civilizations with highly developed resources in religion, culture, government,
law, economy, military, arts and sciences.
 Geographical Setting

Mesopotamia is the he "cradle of history" because people,

history and civilization first began here. The region is
considered as the site of the Garden of Eden, where
famous rivers met. Ancient Mesopotamia had a strong
people, a strategic location, fertile soil, and favorable
climate.
Today, it is the site of the world's richest oil-bearing regions.
In ancient times, Mesopotamia had a landscape of dikes and
canals constructed by its first inhabitants. These dikes and
canals turned Mesopotamia into the "Fertile Crescent," which
sustained the world's first farms and cities.

The region today corresponds to modern Israel, Iran, Iraq,

Syria, and Turkey. The great rivers, Tigris and Euphrates, still
flow from the eastern highlands of Turkey into the Persian
Gulf.
 Birthplace of People and the First
Civilization.
According to the Bible, God created the first man and
woman in the paradise called the Garden of Eden. God
blessed them with whatever was needed to sustain the
first humans. The first languages, writing, agriculture and
other significant inventions were developed by the first
people in Mesopotamia.
 Who were the Mesopotamians?
The inhabitants of the region were indigenous families
(descendants of Adam and Eve) who eventually multiplied
and became tribes and nations. Later on, outsiders
migrated into the region. It became a melting pot of
tongues and tribes who lived, and often warred, with
each other.
The five main societies in ancient Mesopotamia, in
chronological order, were -Sumer, Akkad,
Babylonia, Assyria, and Chaldea. Two societies
(Sumer and Akkad) were native inhabitants of
Mesopotamia. The others (Babylonians, Assyrians
and Chaldeans) came from outside. We shall
study each people in turn.
 Mesopotamian Contributions to World
Civilization. Mesopotamia invented many "firsts" in history. While some of their
achievements were useful for people's lives, their societies were known more for
the cruelty of their absolute rulers (tyrants). Their cruelty led to their downfall.
The Mesopotamian contributions to world civilization included the following:
1) The first plow and wheel.
2) The first written language and records.
3) The first written literature, including the proof about the Great Flood, in
the poem, the Epic of Gilgamesh.
4) The earliest written laws - the Ur- Nammu Code (ca. 2050 BC) and the
Hammurabi Code (ca. 1750 BC).
5) The first number system which mea- sures distance, area, space and time.
6) Astrology, the zodiac chart and the belief that
heavenly bodies affect the destiny of men
7) The first metal tools, farms, houses, schools,
libraries, sailboats, hanging gardens, palaces, and
sculptures.
8. The first temples (ziggurat pyramids) and first
religion (polytheism) or belief in many gods.
9. The first cities and empires, with god-kings and priest-
rulers with governments that were a tyranny (dictatorship)
and a union of church and state.

10. The official segregation of people by class, sex, age and

wealth, with upper class rich males and elders authorized
to dominate (and even execute) the poor lower classes,
women and children.
 Sumer, the World's First Civilization.
Look at the image of the Sumerian priest (left). His
features closely resemble an Iranian, for indeed, they
are related. Shortly before 4000 BC, mountain tribes
from Iran settled southern Mesopotamia where they
found the most fertile land along the Tigris and
Euphrates. Here they built the world's first
civilization, Sumer, and were called the Sumerians.
The Sumerians invented the first wooden plow and
stone wheel. With the plow, they made more farms.
With the wheel, they made wagons, waterwheels, and
mills. The women learned to make simple cloth. They
grew more food, and the population increased. Sumer
became the first known civilization.
 The City-States.
The Sumerians were not united or strong enough to be an
empire. All they had were independent kingdom city-
states. They were proud and often quarreled as rivals. One
of their cities was Ur or Uruq (for which Iraq is named).
Many times the city-states made war on one another
becauseof boundary disputes, or sometimes just to prove
their power. The city-states were smaller than the later
Greek states, and they were not democratic.
A simple city plan consisted of a central ziggurat pyramid temple.
Around it were the mud brick houses, the city walls, and
surrounding outside farmlands. Because there were no forests or
large stones in Sumer, the people built with sun-dried brick and
mud.

Here began the first organized city government with a god-king

and powerful priest-rulers. The government was a union of church
and state, which meant that only one religion was allowed. Power
belonged not to the people, but to the priests and god-king. Like all
Mesopotamia, Sumer had a tyranny (dictatorship) by the rulers.
 The Ziggurat
The Sumerians built a tall pyramid temple to tower over their city-states. This
was the ziggurat-a pyramid temple of several stories on a large platform, each
story smaller than the one below it. The Sumerians had many gods, and the
temple for the gods was at the very top. A large ramp led to the shrine. The
ziggurat also housed the palace, the priests' homes, schoolrooms, and
storerooms.

The Tower of Babel in the Old Testament describes their first unsuccessful
attempt at unity in building the tallest ziggurat. After it collapsed, they
scattered into many lands, grew into many nations, and had smaller pyramids
only. In Babel (Babylon), the Bible says God gave the Mesopotamians many
languages.
 The First-Known Language and Writing
The Sumerian language became prominent since they wrote on clay tablets, which
were durable. There may have been other writings before, but the Sumerian clay
tablets were the earliest ones discovered.
As their wealth increased, Sumerian officials wanted to keep better records. They
had written records on baked clay tablets, dating to 3500 BC.The wedge-shape
written forms were done by a cunei or sharp stick, hence the Sumerian writing was
called cuneiform.Although we do not use the same writing system today, it led to
many nations learning and preserving the Sumerian language and writing system.
The Sumerian alphabet was adapted by the other Mesopotamian empires, and was
widely used for 3,000 years in the Middle East. Through the indirect spread of
civilization, Sumerian became the basis of the vernacular Aramaic language spoken
by Jesus and his contemporaries, as featured in the movie, "The Passion of the
Christ."
Cuneiform writing was not for everybody. It was sacred and
important, so that only a few priest-scribes (male secretaries) knew it.
It was taught in schools attended by selected upper class boys. The
pupils worked hard all day. A Sumerian proverb taught, "He who
wants to excel as a scribe must rise with the dawn." They learned the
language and simple arithmetic. The teachers severely disciplined
them. For example, a mistake on a clay tablet would mean a beating.

However, the sacrifice was worth it. After twelve years of schooling,
the boy could become an elite scribe. Scribes were very important to
the society because most people were illiterate (cannot read or write).
 Discovery of Sumerian Writing.
For many centuries, this most ancient of all languages could not be
understood. The mystery wasfinally solved in 1847 by Henry Rawlinson, a
British scholar, who deciphered it and made known to the world his
discovery of the Behistun Rock (see illustration). The rock lies on a 100-
meter cliff near the mountain village of Behistun, Iraq, on which were
inscribed the victories of King Darius of Persia in three languages -
Babylonian, Assyrian, and Persian. The Behistun Rock was the key to
deciphering the meaning of cuneiform, the most ancient writing. The
discovery enabled the study of ancient Mesopotamia, just as the Rosetta
stone was the key to the hieroglyphics of ancient Egypt.
 The First-Known Language and Writing
The Sumerian language became prominent since they wrote on clay tablets, which
were durable. There may have been other writings before, but the Sumerian clay
tablets were the earliest ones discovered.
As their wealth increased, Sumerian officials wanted to keep better records. They
had written records on baked clay tablets, dating to 3500 BC.The wedge-shape
written forms were done by a cunei or sharp stick, hence the Sumerian writing was
called cuneiform.Although we do not use the same writing system today, it led to
many nations learning and preserving the Sumerian language and writing system.
The Sumerian alphabet was adapted by the other Mesopotamian empires, and was
widely used for 3,000 years in the Middle East. Through the indirect spread of
civilization, Sumerian became the basis of the vernacular Aramaic language spoken
by Jesus and his contemporaries, as featured in the movie, "The Passion of the
Christ."
 Akkad, the First Empire
Sargon (2334-2279 BC) was from Akkad, in northern
Mesopotamia. When the Sumerian city-states in the south
collapsed from constant fighting, Sargon I attacked them with
his armies. Sargon (see photo) absorbed Sumer into Akkadia, his
kingdom. Akkad became the world's first great empire. An
empire is greater than a kingdom or a group of independent
states because it is more powerful, larger in area and has a
bigger population of subjects.
 Babylonia, creative the Empire.
The next three empires of Mesopotamia were the Babylonians. Assyrians and
Chaldeans. They were not native Mesopotamians, but came from outside. The
first outsiders were the Babylonians, who were originally the Amorites. About
1800 BC, Amorite tribes migrated to the fertile land of Mesopotamia and
constructed their city-states. They named their capital "Babylon," after their
favorite war god Babel (or Marduk, Baal, Bel) Unilke the Akkadians, the
Babylonians were more creative and constructive, even if they were also cruel
and aggressive. Hammurabi (1792-1750 BC), a warrior. was their greatest
priest-king. Hammurabi's kingdom extended to Syria in the north, Iraq in the
south, and the Mediterranean Sea in the west. His Babylonian Empire (1792-
1595 BC)
Hammurabi was also said to be a statesman (a good ruler) and
made many reforms to improve society, for example, in law,
irrigation system, taxes and housing. His greatest achievement is
considered to be the Hammurabi Code, another written legal code,
like the Code of Ur-Nammu.
Historians call Hammurabi, the "Lawgiver of Babylonia." His time
was known as the "Golden Age of Babylon" due to his many
accomplishments and reforms. He was a patron of the arts and
letters. Yet he ruled absolutely as priest-king and tolerated no
opposition. Like all the Mesopotamian rulers, Hammurabi was a
tyrant (absolute miler).
 The Hammurabi Code
The Hammurabi Code (ca. 1750 BC) was inscribed on a black
stone two meters high. It consists of 285 laws pertaining to
family relations, property rights, marriage, and divorce,
adoption of children, labor, commerce, and crimes. The
Hammurabi Code originated such laws as "an eye for an eye,"
and "a life for a life." It also gave Babylonian women unique
rights in the ancient world, such as to own and inherit
property, to work or do business.
 Religion
Babylonian religion was inherited from the original Mesopotamians a polytheistic
religion of many gods. The Mesopotamian religion was the religion of the Canaanites
in the Bible. They had as many as 65,000 gods. The main god of course was (Baal)
Babel, or Marduk.
Babylonian religion was full of black magic and superstition. For example, the
Mesopotamians threw children into fire as sacrifices to please their gods. The
people believed in the power of magic formulas, amulets and charms to bring good
or evil. Babylonian astrology made the first horoscopes, and the twelve zodiac signs
helped priests predict their destiny and planting seasons. Their horoscopes and
fortune telling are still used today. They believed that the heavenly bodies could
affect nature and life. Obviously, they were not very successful fortune-tellers
because they could not even predict their own downfall.
 The Flat earth belief
Previously, it was believed that the earth was flat, and
people would fall off the edges of the sea beyond the
horizon. It was the Mesopotamians who started the belief that
the earth was a flat disc surrounded by water (see drawing).
A flat earth belief confined them to sail only near coastal
waters. They did not venture far out to sea.
However, Arabian sailors had no such superstition. They used
their sailboats and other navigation aids to sail in faraway
seas. These "Arab" maritime skills expanded
 Science
The Babylonians invented the first number system, which was
the source of the 60-minute hour, the 24-hour day, and the
360-degree circle. They adopted the seven- day week and the
12-month lunar calendar. Their math helped early map making.
They could measure distances, shapes, solids, and time.
Their systematic study of astronomy and mathematics
amounted to the first scientific revolution in history. They
developed astronomy and science, which later inspired scholars
in Greece, India, medieval Islam and Europe.
 Medicine.
Along with the Egyptians, the Babylonians
practiced the best medicine in the ancient world.
They and the Egyptians introduced methods in
physical examinations, diagnosis, prescriptions
and medications. A 2nd century BC medical
handbook described medical practices that are
still valid today.
 Social Life
Babylonian society had three social classes, as follows: (1) the priest nobles,
who included the king, priests, and rich landlords; (2) the freemen, composed
of farmer merchants, soldiers, and artisa and (3) the slaves Women at first
occupied an equal position in Babylonian society They could be members at
the council of elders. But later, their status fell, and Babylonia became a
more patriarchal (male-dominated) society. Poor girls could be sold. Children
were sacrificed to the gods for good luck

Schooling was only for the rich families. Most boys learned their father's
trade, and most girls stayed home to do housework and care for younger
children.
 Economic Life
Babylonia improved on farming and economic systems of
the Sumerians. They transported their goods farther to
Palestine, Syria, Persia and other foreign lands by camel
caravans, because Babylonia was larger in area than the
previous empires. They were better businesspersons. who
lent money to merchants and artisans at usurious rates of
interests. The ancient Babylonians used barter, but they
also used money payments (gold or silver).
 Assyria
the Largest Empire. In the Iron Age, Mesopotamia was
controlled by the Assyrian and Chaldean empires. About
2900 BC, another outside Semitic people, the Assyrians,
settled the north region of Babylonia. Their capital city was
named Assyr after their war god (Ashur). They were the most
feared and cruel empire in the region, due to their iron
weapons, chariots and battering rams. After learning the use
of iron from the Hittites (Turks, see Chapter 4), the Assyrians
completely changed the art of warfare in their favor.
Chaldea, (New Babylonia), the Empire that Captured the Jews. From the ruins of the Assyrian
empire arose the Chaldean empire, also known as the Second or Neo- Babylonian Empire (612-
539 BC). The Chaldeans, a Semitic people from the Arabian Desert, conquered Babylonia about
1100 BC. In 612 BC, Nineveh and the Assyrians also fell to the combined Chaldean-Medean
armies. The capture of Nineveh and the downfall of terrible Assyria caused great joy among
the people who wrongly thought they would get better treatment from the Chaldeans. Alas,
the Chaldeans were just as tyrannical. King Nebuchadnezzar (604-561 BC) was their greatest
ruler. He changed the name Chaldea to the Second Babylonia (or New Babylonia) because he
wanted to revive the glory of the former Babylonia. He extended its boundaries by conquering
more kingdoms, including Egypt and Israel. He captured Jerusalem in 536 BC, and carried the
Jews off into what is known as their 70- year Babylonian captivity, which Jeremiah predicted
(Jeremiah 25:11). He was renowned for building a seven- story ziggurat temple for his religion.
For his wife he built the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which covered the upper balconies of
the city. The elevated gardens were unique because he found a way to raise water to the
balcony It became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The New Babylonian Empire rapidly disintegrated after his
death. In 539 BC, the last Babylonians surrendered to the
Persian invaders. God destroyed the empire alter a mysterious
handwriting appeared on the wall, as the prophet Daniel
warned. After it fell to the Persians, the Jews were able to
return to their homeland after 70 years of captivity The End
of Mesopotamia. One of history's hasic lessons is that nothing
and nobody lasts forever. All kings and kingdoms, no matter
how great or powerful, end someday.
The first kingdoms and empires in Mesopotamia lasted
about 4,000 years, but all are gone. What happened to
the Fertile Crescent Mesopotamia was conquered by
other empires. Its cities and empires surrendered to the
Persian Empire in 539 BC. Then the Persians fell to
Alexander the Great in 332 BC, and to the Greek
Seleucid Empire. Parts of Mesopotamia later fell to
Roman control.