Captivating History - Mesopotamian Cities: A Captivating Guide to Eridu, Uruk, Ur, Akkad, Assur, Lagash, Babylon, Nippur, Nimrud, and Nineveh

The story of civilization begins with a small strip of land located between two massive rivers in the area that now makes up parts of Kuwait, Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq. It starts with a region that held the perfect conditions for the development of agriculture and blossomed into the worlds first cities. Over thousands of years, it became the home of complex civilizations that formed dynasties and empires that seemingly rose and fell overnight.

Historians have found abundant evidence of what life was like in ancient Mesopotamia, and in their findings, they discovered a blueprint of modern-day life. These early cultures formed the basis of many things that we take for granted today. Without that comparatively small strip of land, life, as we know it today, would be unrecognizable.

As mankind began to settle down in the fertile region, they found it necessary and easy to form larger and larger communities. In time, the first cities were built. These city-states had rich cultures with their own traditions and religions. Unfortunately, this diversity led to clashes and power struggles, and in time, empires began to form, with the Akkadians being the first to unify the region.

What happened to the cities that once controlled the region? Did they survive by adapting to life under Akkadian rule, or were they destroyed? The first part of this book is dedicated to discovering these individual cities and finding out what their ultimate ends were.

The story behind the empires that developed from those cities will also give insight into later powerhouses such as Egypt and Greece, as Mesopotamia had a dynamic influence on the ancient world. For example, after the Akkadian Empire broke apart, the Babylonian and Assyrian Empires emerged and would engage in near-constant warfare until there was a clear victor. However, the ancient Mesopotamians were more than warriors. They were innovative people who built majestic palaces and impressive infrastructure to strengthen their empires.

What did these empires look like? How were they governed? And what happened to them? Part two of this book will focus on the Akkadian and Assyrian cities. You will learn about their people, their architecture, and the original Sin City.

The most famous empire to come from the Mesopotamian region is undoubtedly Babylon. It once dominated the known world and was at the forefront of innovation. Today, it is a collection of stones buried in the desert.

Besides engineering some of the most advanced buildings of the ancient world, the Babylonians also developed advanced mathematics, including the base 60 system. This system created the 60-second minute, the 60-minute hour, and the 360-degree circular angle, all of which we still use today.

The Babylonians were the first to map out the sky and divide what they saw into constellations. Their research led to the twelve-month year and the seven-day week. Did you know that they named the days of the weeks after their seven gods? Who were these gods? What impact did they have on the daily life of an ordinary Babylonian?

However, their most valuable contribution to the world was their writing system. At first, they started with simple pictures that described what they saw, but this soon developed into cuneiform that formed the basis for twelve major languages. This script was later used to record the Code of Hammurabi, which formed the basis of many future law systems.

What happened to Babylon? What is it about this empire that still fascinates people thousands of years after its destruction? And what about the famed Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Did they exist, or was it all an elaborate myth? Part three of this book features the rise and fall of Babylon, where you will discover the answers to all these questions and more.

There are countless fascinating myths that surround Mesopotamia, as well as numerous religions that governed the lives of the people in the area. How did their gods influence their decisions? The Mesopotamian empires ruled with absolute power, but how did their gods play a part in making that possible? These are the questions that the final part of the book will cover. If youre a fan of myths and legends, you will enjoy part four immensely.

This book is a comprehensive guide to that bygone era and will give you a glimpse into what life was like when these cities battled for dominance while discovering complex systems that influence our lives today. Discover what lies underneath the deserts of the Middle East and be transported back to a time when people built awe-inspiring temples to be connected to their gods.

Their contributions to modern society dont end with their interesting history, as we can credit the Mesopotamians with the wheel, common tools, the domestication of animals, and irrigation. While none of the Mesopotamian empires rule anymore, their discoveries still influence the lives of billions of people.

Ancient Mesopotamia has fascinated people for thousands of years. This was where humankind first began to settle down and learn more about the world around them.

It may be intimidating to start this explorative journey, but by using simple language to break down some of historys most crucial inventions, this book will guide you through this fascinating period in mankinds past. Prior knowledge isnt needed to understand the topics, and people of all ages will find everything they need to know about Mesopotamia and more.