Mesopotamia is a word of Greek origin that means “land between rivers”. It is a localized desert region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Nowadays, it is territory belonging to Iraq. As a region of passage, Mesopotamia was occupied by various peoples of different origins, such as the Sumerians, Akkadians and Babylonians.
These were warrior peoples, expanding their domains throughout the region. The Persians defeated the last populations that occupied Mesopotamia in 539 a. Ç. The cultural legacies of the Mesopotamian peoples are the architecture of their palaces and temples and the study of astronomy and geometry.
Read too: Mycenaean civilization - formed in Western Greece during the Pre-Homeric Period
History of Mesopotamia
O GrowingFertile, where Mesopotamia was located, is a region that was inhabited by several peoples from eastern antiquity. Geographically, the Fertile Crescent is located between Egypt and Mesopotamia and is characterized as a desert region (hot and dry), but with rbulky wires.
It was on the banks of these rivers that the first civilizations of the East emerged. The Egyptian civilization emerged on the banks of the rthe Nile, and the civilizations of Mesopotamia, on the banks of the Tigris and the Euphrates. The proximity of these last peoples to the rivers led several authors to call them hydraulic societies.
Such rivers quenched people's thirst but also served as means of transport. Furthermore, and most importantly, the waters of the rivers served to irrigate crops. In its ebb tides, the banks were used for planting, as the lowering of the waters made the soil fertile. When rivers rose in volume, the peoples of eastern antiquity built dikes and dams so that water would not run out during their dry spells.
Religion played a prominent role. By using writing, these peoples recorded the rites practiced in their religious ceremonies. They were peoplespolytheists, that is, they believed in several gods, and in addition they spared no effort to build beautiful religious temples through refined architectural techniques.
![The Euphrates and Tigris rivers had their banks occupied by civilizations that stood out in Mesopotamia. [1]](/f/d0cd092d113cfe43c238ac42fc0ba3b4.jpg)
Peoples of Mesopotamia
Sumerians
the Sumerians were the first peoples to reach Mesopotamia and dominated the region between 3200 BC. Ç. and 2800 a. Ç. As they were close to the rivers, they tried to use the water in the best way, improving the irrigation techniques.
The religious temples were built in a sophisticated way, which demonstrates the Sumerians' appreciation for techniquesarchitectural. They also used the writingcuneiform (written in the shape of a wedge and made on clay tablets) to record the deeds of their sovereigns and also the religious rites. The surplus of agricultural production was used in trade with other peoples, such as the Egyptians and Indians.
Akkadians
the Akkadians defeated the Sumerians and dominated Mesopotamia for a short time. King Sargon I unified the Mesopotamian peoples and extended the Akkadian domain through an agile army and preserving the culture of the dominated. The Akkadians were defeated by the Amorites, better known as the Babylonians. To learn more about these first two peoples who inhabited Mesopotamia, visit: Sumerians and Akkadians.
Babylonian Empire
The Babylonian rule began around 2000 BC. C, and its seat was the city of Babylon. In 1728 BC Ç., Hammurabi took over the power of the empire and created a code of laws, the Code of Hammurabi, which was based on the Law of Talion, which said: “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. In other words, punishments were determined in proportion to the crimes committed. The Babylonian rule lasted until 1513 a. a., when hititas dominated the region.
Assyrians
The Assyrians dominated the region of Mesopotamia until 1450 BC. Ç. This control was won through the cruel action of his army, which did not spare bloody resources against the conquered peoples. You assyrians were defeated by the Chaldeans in 612 a. Ç.
Second Babylonian Empire
You Chaldeans founded the Second Babylonian Empire. It was on reign of Nebuchadnezzar that the empire lived its heyday. Its main characteristic was the development of architecture, which allowed the construction of public works that are still remembered for their sumptuousness and beauty, such as the Hanging Gardens and the Tower of Babel. Nebuchadnezzar expanded his domain and conquered the city of Jerusalem. In 539 BC C., the Persians, led by Cyrus II, defeated the Babylonians.
Mesopotamian Economy
The economy of the peoples who inhabited Mesopotamia was based mainly on agriculture because of the rivers that bathe the region. The waters of the Tigris and Euphrates were used to irrigate the plantation as well as transport the crops. You surpluses of production were traded with other peoples. Also, the agropastoral it was an economic activity among the Babylonian peoples. To learn more about the economy of these peoples, read: Mesopotamia - economy.
Mesopotamian Society
Mesopotamian society was caste, that is, social mobility was not allowed. The sovereign was the political, military and religious leader and was at the top of the social pyramid. Below him were the priests, aristocrats and military men. The pyramidal base, that is, who supported the other castes, was composed of peasants, who worked in planting and harvesting, and slaves, who built public works and temples.
Mesopotamian Culture
Cultural activity in Mesopotamia was intense. The Mesopotamians developed the knowledge of astronomy to predict floods and ebbs of rivers as well as for religious practices. The Babylonians divided the time into 24 hours and the hour into 60 minutes. THE architecture had its techniques developed due to the construction of palaces, temples and towers.
Summary
Mesopotamia was the region that lies between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and where important civilizations of eastern antiquity developed.
- Politics: the peoples were governed by a sovereign, who accumulated the functions of political, military and religious leader.
- Economy: agricultural, commercial and agropastoral.
- Society: divided into castes
- Culture: astronomical, time-dedicated and architectural.
solved exercises
Question 1 - The societies that inhabited Mesopotamia are called hydraulic because:
a) dispensed with the use of water.
b) used the water for irrigation of plantations.
c) polluted the waters with their waste.
d) were lacking in water.
Resolution
Alternative B. As the Mesopotamian region lay between two great rivers, the societies that developed there used the waters for drinking but also for irrigation and transport.
Question 2 - Which of these great constructions was made in the reign of Nebuchadnezzar?
a) Pyramids
b) Forum
c) Hanging Gardens of Babylon
d) Library of Alexandria
Resolution
Alternative C. Nebuchadnezzar invested in the construction of great public works that would materialize his power. Among them are the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
Image credit
[1] Zeledi / commons
By Carlos César Higa
History teacher
