Mesopotamia is the area between the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers. In the present century, it is the area north or northwest of the bottleneck at Baghdad, in modern Iraq. It is popularly called the Land between Two Rivers or the Land in the Fertile Crescent. Its name explains the reason for its attractiveness to inhabitants. The Mesopotamian civilization, which thus developed, emerged some 5000 years ago in 3000 BC. It is the world’s first known civilization.

Introduction to Ancient Mesopotamia
A resource for middle school, but equally useful for general interest in history and the Mesopotamian civilization

The Mesopotamian Region
Plenty of articles on the factors which lead to the development of ancient Mesopotamia, the main figures from Mesopotamian civilization and the achievements of Mesopotamia

Mesopotamian Origins
Why did civilizations begin? How did the Mesopotamian civilization start? Who were the people who began the Mesopotamian civilization? A historical guide with answers to questions about the origins of Mesopotamian civilization

The Land between Rivers
An excellent resource to find out about ancient Mesopotamia’s history right from its beginning with the Sumerians till its decay with the conquest of the Persian Empire

Encyclopedia of Ancient Mesopotamia
It begins with the definition of Mesopotamia and discusses the civilization’s history. It also provides links to other helpful resources

A Brief History of Ancient Mesopotamia

Learning about history and civilizations helps in several ways. The greatest benefit is perhaps inspiration. People in ancient Mesopotamia built remarkable structures and tombs for kings with very simple tools! It is breathtaking to reflect on how they must have managed to built and craft such fine tools, jewelry and buildings. These people had a true desire to excel and develop. The Mesopotamians discovered art and culture way ahead of other civilizations. A few interesting facts about Ancient Mesopotamia are:

• More than eight different groups of people ruled over the Mesopotamian region during its course of existence. These include: the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Hittites, Phoenicians and Persians. They all contributed to the Mesopotamian civilization’s development at different levels.

• Popular civilizations of Rome, Greece and Egypt came into existence much after the Mesopotamian civilization

• Sumerians did not place much value on the human body. This is unlike in the Egyptian and Indus River Valley civilizations where we often observe men and women in pictorial and art forms, the human body was rarely used as a subject of art by the Sumerians.

• The most famous Sumerian king was Gilgamesh. He ruled during the 27th century BC. He was extremely popular for his skills at hunting and warfare.

• During the Babylonian Empire, the society was divided into 3 social classes:

• Upper class: This comprised of the nobles: government officials, priests, and warriors
• Middle Class: This included the freemen: merchants, artisans, professionals and wealthy farmers
• Lower Class: This included the slaves

Timeline of Mesopotamian Civilization
A detailed look into the dynasties and groups of people who inhabited the Mesopotamian land throughout history

Mesopotamian Timeline
A timeline of ancient Mesopotamia’s history

Mesopotamian Sourcebook
100 plus links on the different empires which ruled Mesopotamia

Collapse of Mesopotamia
The reasons which contributed to the fall of ancient Mesopotamia and a discussion on the possibility of such an event repeating itself in the modern world

Babylonian Empire
A history of the most powerful state in ancient Mesopotamia after the fall of the Assyrian Empire

Mesopotamian Archaeology

Archaeology in Mesopotamia
A brief history of archeology in Mesopotamia

Archaeological Sites Photographs
Photographs of different archaeological sites from Ancient Mesopotamia

Sites in Contemporary Iraq
Articles on various famous archaeological sites along with their history in current Iraq and the former part of Mesopotamian civilization

Origin of Mesopotamian Cities
A research article about a US-led archeological survey inside Iraq finding evidence of Mesopotamian cities origins

Archaeological Letters
A letter by an American soldier on the Ziggurat of ancient Mesopotamia talking about his experiences of visiting it and its historical powers. There are links to several other articles on Iraqi heritage.

Biblical Archaeology
Information on archeology in ancient Mesopotamia and where it’s mentioned in different parts of the bible

Problems of Mesopotamian Archaeology
A research study describing the problems that arise while studying archaeology of ancient civilizations

Some Social Aspects of the Mesopotamian Civilization

• Most of the Mesopotamian civilization followed the Code of Hammurabi. It refers to very strict form of justice. Penalties on criminal offences were always imposed. They varied according to the wealth of the individual. An eye for an eye was the principle followed when people of the upper social class harmed each other. When people of lower social classes were involved, a monetary punishment was imposed.

• One of the most popular figurines of ancient Mesopotamia is that of King Ur-Nammu. He rebuilt and enlarged one of the most important temples in ancient Mesopotamia called the E-kur of Enlil. The figurine represents the king at the start of the building project. He is carrying on his head a basket of clay which he would use in building the temple.

Mesopotamian Architecture

Architectural Marvels of Ancient Mesopotamia
Information on Mesopotamian cultures, centers, temples and structures with pictures!

Ancient Babylon
A brief excerpt on the Ishtar Gate, a symbolic construction by the most renowned king of Neo-Babylonian times

Walls of Babylon
A description of the Walls of Babylon and other fascinating ancient wonders of the world

Origins of Greek Architecture
A PDF downloadable book which explains the origins of Greek architecture and ways in which Mesopotamian and other civilizations influenced it when Greeks conquered them

Architecture of Ancient Mesopotamia
A recommended resource about not only the architecture of ancient Mesopotamia, but also its warfare, mathematics, writings, archaeology, literature, daily life, sciences, mathematics and first cities

Sasanian Architecture
A study of the architecture of Sasanian dynasty in Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamian Art and Architecture
Descriptions of art, its value and its development in ancient Mesopotamia through the different periods of its history

Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia’s art, architecture and writings were advancing when most other civilizations were in their infancy in terms of culture and technology. This resource discusses all aspects of Mesopotamia’s rich history

Mesopotamian Museum
Chapters on all topics of Ancient Mesopotamia. A few topics include: Gods and Goddesses, geography, palaces of Assyria, astronomers of Babylon and Ziggurats

Medicine in Ancient Mesopotamia
Information on the Mesopotamian concepts of health care and healing along with details about their sources of medicine

Mesopotamian Treasures
A glimpse of the collection in the ancient Mesopotamian section at the Oriental Museum of Chicago

Sumerian Art
Information on the arts and crafts of the Sumerian era. It provides information on the Asmar Statuettes, the Standard of Ur and the Ram Caught in a Thicket. There are pages on other topics like the art of writing and music in the Mesopotamian society

Culture in Mesopotamia

Sumerian History and Mesopotamian Culture
All about the morals, values and culture of ancient Mesopotamian people along with timelines

People of Mesopotamia
Information on the Chaldean, Akkadian, Sumerian, Babylonian and other cultures and people who ruled ancient Mesopotamia

Women of Ancient Mesopotamia
An article discussing archaeological evidence about female gender issues in Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamian Culture
Information on Mesopotamian society, its first urban cities and other cultural aspects of ancient Mesopotamia

Sumerian Culture
A detailed look into writing, gods, heroes and cities of the first dynasty ruling the Mesopotamian civilization – the Sumerians

Kingdoms and Cultures in Ancient Sumer
Part 2 of the article on History on Ancient Sumeria explains how different kingdoms had different cultures in ancient Mesopotamia

Mythology in Ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamian Mythology and Deities
Information on religion and mythology of different people who ruled ancient Mesopotamia

Bibliography on Mesopotamian mythology
A resource for true history lovers! It is a detailed bibliography of books and articles on Mesopotamian mythology

Mesopotamian Mythology
Descriptions on Mesopotamian mythologies and ancient religions in that civilization

Mesopotamian Myth
Brief information on the Gilgamesh myth of ancient Mesopotamia along with links to more information

Gilgamesh Epic
A version of the famous Mesopotamian myth about Gilgamesh, the King of Uruk and his immortality

Man Seeking his Soul
A brief research paper on Mesopotamian mythology of a man seeking his soul

Religion in Mesopotamia

Gods and Goddesses in Ancient Mesopotamia
Stories about the various gods, goddesses and demons of ancient Mesopotamia and ways in which the people believed these gods controlled them

Religious Beliefs in Ancient Mesopotamia
Brief descriptions on the religious beliefs of people of ancient Mesopotamia

Mesopotamian Religion
Information on Mesopotamian religion by the Ancient Encyclopedia of history

Religion in Mesopotamia
Information on the religious beliefs of the Mesopotamian people

Religion and Contributions of Mesopotamian Civilization
Information on the contributions of ancient Mesopotamia in general and specifically to religion

History and Religion of Ancient Mesopotamia
A study of the values and morals of Sumers in comparison to those of other people in Middle East at that time

More Resources on Ancient Mesopotamia

To learn more about ancient Mesopotamia and its civilization, embark onto a rich and colorful journey of the past with the following resources:

Ancient Mesopotamia
The ultimate resource for information about ancient Mesopotamia on the web. It covers all aspects of the civilization’s history, art, culture, government, society, inventions, science and literature

Mesopotamian Center
Covers numerous aspects of the classical Mesopotamian civilization. Sections include geography, religion, economics, sciences, measurements and clothing

The Ancient Mesopotamian World-System
A detailed research of the Mesopotamian world system and comparisons with Egyptian civilization

Origins of Writing
A research investigating whether the origins of writing lie in Mesopotamian civilization