Mesopotamian Civilization | Famous Books for UPSC Exam (Summary & Tests) PDF Download

Introduction

The name "Mesopotamia" originates from the Greek words "Mesos" and "Potamos," which together mean "country between two rivers." These rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, nurtured the fertile lands of Mesopotamia and played a crucial role in its development. This ancient land served as a crossroads for various civilizations, fostering the growth of writing, technology, language, trade, religion, and law. Unlike Egypt, which had three main time periods (Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms) and built pyramids for dead people, Mesopotamia had different time periods like Sumerian and Babylonian, and they buried people in simpler ways.Mesopotamia Civilization : Map

Origin and Early Development

Mesopotamian civilization can be traced back to the Neolithic Revolution around 12000 BCE. The earliest cities emerged in the southern parts of Mesopotamia around 5000 BCE, gradually evolving into a complex urban society. Notably, the Sumerians were the first to establish an urban civilization in the region, laying the foundation for future cultural and technological advancements. They also invented the wheel and potter’s wheel, which made moving things and making pots much easier.

Mesopotamian Society: Land of Many Cultures

Throughout its history, Mesopotamia saw the rise and fall of various cultures, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. Each of these civilizations contributed significantly to the region's knowledge and progress. The Sumerians, in particular, developed the first written script on clay tablets around 3000 BCE and engaged in trade with other ancient societies like the Harappans in northern India. Their writing was called cuneiform, and a man named Henry Rawlinson figured it out later. They traded things like clothes and jewelry with the Harappans. They also studied stars and made a moon-based calendar. Plus, they made a number system we still use for time (60 seconds in a minute) and circles (360 degrees).

Mesopotamia's Significant Time Period

The Sumerian civilization, flourishing around 4000 BCE, marked the beginning of the first urban civilization in the region. The early dynastic period (2900–2350 BC) witnessed significant advancements, including the development of writing and various other inventions. Interestingly, a study suggests that ancient Mesopotamian civilizations may have encountered and dealt with dust storms almost 4000 years ago. These dust storms made farming and living harder, but they found ways to deal with it.

Key Civilizations of Mesopotamia

• Sumerians: Known for their advancements in trade, textiles, leather goods, and jewelry, the Sumerians worshiped multiple anthropomorphic gods. Their massive ziggurats served as religious centers and architectural marvels. They were also one of the first to use glass items, which was a cool invention.
• Akkadian Empire: Around 3000 BCE, the Akkadians emerged in northern Mesopotamia, with their language belonging to the Semitic language family, which includes modern Hebrew and Arabic.
• Assyrian Empire: The Assyrian Empire rose to prominence with its capital city, Ašur, and played a crucial role in the region after the fall of the Akkadian Empire.
• Babylon: Founded in 1894 BCE, Babylon became a significant city-state under the rule of Hammurabi. Hammurabi established a centralized bureaucracy and brought stability to the region. Hammurabi wrote his famous laws on a big stone called a stele, which showed rules for everyone.

Fascinating Facts About Mesopotamia

• The Sumerian civilization was the first urban civilization in Mesopotamia, originating in the Taurus and Zagros mountains before moving southwards.
• Copper was one of the earliest metals to be extracted from its ore, with evidence dating back to around 5000 BC.
• In the 25th century BC, the Sumerian king Eannatum launched a successful military campaign to annex other Sumerian cities under his rule.