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Mesopotamian People
Mesopotamian Places
Mesopotamian Things
Mesopotamian Places
Mesopotamian places
100
He became king of Babylonia around 1750 B.C., and during his reign he expanded his kingdom from the Persian Gulf to past the border of Turkey, and from the Zagros Mountains to Syria's Khabur River. His legal code consists of 282 written laws.
Who was Hammurabi?
100
Founded by King Meskiaggasher, this city-state dominated a wide region of Sumer, supplanting Kish. It was located in southern Mesopotamia along the banks of the Euphrates River. It was the center of the Sumerian civilization. It was one of the first major cities in the history of the world. It reached its peak around 2900 BC when it had an estimated population of nearly 80,000 people making it the largest city in the world. It was able to grow so large because of advanced farming and irrigation techniques. The abundance of food made the city rich. Gilgamesh was the city's most famous king. The "Epic of Gilgamesh" describes it as a grand city with high walls and striking buildings.
What is Uruk?
100
This was likely built in the 21st century BC, but had crumbled to ruins by 6th century BC. It was restored by King Nabonidus. Best preserved of those known from Iran and Iraq, and one of three well preserved structures of Ur, generally built during the Sumerian Renaissance or Revival, along with the Royal Mausolea and the Palace of Ur-Nammu.
What is the Great Ziggurat at Ur?
100
This city was the center of the world's first empire, the Akkadian Empire (~2300-2100 BC). The city's people, under the leadership of Sargon the Great, conquered many of the Sumerian city-states and took control of Mesopotamia. The language in the city took the place of Sumerian and continued to be the primary language of the region into the Babylonian and Assyrian Empires. Archeologists still haven't found the city of city and are unsure exactly where it was located. It was likely located in southern Mesopotamia just east of the Tigris River.
What is Akkad?
100
a major ancient kingdom near Eastern empire, located in Mesopotamia, which dominated Israel and the entire region from the ninth through the seventh centuries B.C.
What is Assyria?
200
A superb military leader, he united Sumer and Northern Mesopotamia, founding an empire that lasted 200 years. He ruled from 2340 to 2284 BC. He built a capital at Akkad that featured a temple and a royal palace. This Sumerian king took over the throne of Kish, launched a surprise attack on Erech, captured King Lugalzagessi and conquered Umma, Ur, and Lagash. He conquered the Elamites, took over Northern Mesopotamia, and extended his empire to the Taurus Mountains.
Who was Sargon of Akkad?
200
The first civilization in Mesopotamia, introduced city-states. First to use cuneiform, and advanced the general knowledge of mankind. 3000BC to 2331BC
What is Sumer?
200
the north-eastern of the two Mesopotamian rivers
What is the Tigris?
200
A city of ancient Sumer in southern Mesopotamia on a site in present-day southeast Iraq. One of the oldest cities in Mesopotamia, it was an important center of Sumerian culture after c. 3000 B.C. and the birthplace of Abraham. The famous ziggurat in this city was started in the Second Millennium by Ur-Nammu and completed by his son Shulgi on the site of an earlier temple. Nabonidus restored the ziggurat 1500 years later.
What is Ur?
300
Ruling from 1114- 1076 BC, he expanded the Assyrian Empire, increased prosperity, restored ziggurats, built a library and a park, and carried out irrigation projects. This ruler maintained his power through terror and torture, leading to a revolt after his death. This Assyrian king conquered the Anatolian horde that threatened Nineveh and Assyria's trade routes, subdued the tribes of Lake Van, marched west across Syria, forcing tribes back across the Euphrates, and captured Babylon.
Who was Tiglath-Pileser I?
300
The region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers; birthplace of the Sumerian and Babylonian Civilizations.
What is Mesopotamia?
300
Sometimes used to refer specifically to the land around the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers that empties into the Persian Gulf. This land is a hot, dry, plain of fertile land inhabited by the early Mesopotamians. Sometimes used by archeologists to refer a place where civilization developed, shifting from nomadic groups to urban or agricultural settlements. It can refer to Mesopotamia, Egypt, Mesoamerica, Indus Valley Civilization, etc.
What is the cradle of civilization?
300
the south-western of the two Mesopotamian rivers
What is the Euphrates?
300
Modern-day Turkey. The Akkadian Empire (ruled by Sargon of Akkad, 24th century BC) included this region. The Assyrians (northern branch of the Akkadians) then colonized the region in 21st-18th century. First to develop iron metallurgy, coins, etc.. The Hittite Kingdom centered on this region (17th-12th century BC). Then Neo-Assyrians controlled the area 10th-7th centuries BC. The area was then controlled by Cimmerians and Scythians from the north and northeast, until the 7th century, when it became inhabited by Greeks. By the 6th century it was conquered by the Persians, until it revolted against the Greek rule (Ionian Revolt). It was independent, then conquered by ATG, and then ruled by various Hellenistic kingdoms, such as the Attalids and Seleucids. It was one of the first areas to become Christianized. It was controlled by the Mongols in the 11th century, and then by the Ottoman Empire.
What is Anatolia?
400
This Assyrian king took the throne in 883 BC, and came to rule over a vast empire stretching 1000 miles from the Valley of the Nile in Egypt to the Caucasus Mountains in Armenia. One of the first to use cavalry on the battlefield, and to use battering rams to break into enemy walls. Was noted for his cruelty to those who opposed his conquests or rebelled. Was also known for improving infrastructure, and encouraging art, trade, and culture. Also built Kalakh (Nimrud).
Who was Ashurnasirpal II?
400
This was the greatest city of the Assyrian Empire. This became the largest city in the world at the height of the Assyrian Empire. The city was largely built under the rule of King Sennacherib around 700 BC. His grandson Assurbanipal built the North Palace with the famous lion-hunt reliefs. The great walls of the city enclosed an area of 7 square kilometers and had 15 gates. There were 18 canals that brought water to different areas of the city. The city was was home to King Ashurbanipal, the last great king of the Assyrian Empire. Under his rule a great library was built that housed over 20,000 clay tablets.
What is Nineveh?
400
This is a Babylonian temple believed by some to be the Tower of Babel -- the "House of the Platform Between Heaven and Earth." Unclear when it was originally built. After Babylon was destroyed in 689 BC by the Assyrians, it was rebuilt by Babylonian kings Nabopolassar and his son Nebuchadnezzar II. Dedicated to the god Marduk (or Merodach).
What is the Etemenankia Ziggurat?
400
The country or region to the east of the Sumerians, often at war with the Sumerians--overlaps with modern day Iran.
What is Elam?
500
Around 1600 BC, these people invaded the Babylonian Empire and plundered Babylon but then withdrew to their homeland in Anatolia. Their was established around the early 14th century, as the Hittites conquered more areas. Eventually, the Assyrians emerged as dominant power.
Who were the Hittites?
500
This city was the capital of the Babylonian empire. It is located in central Mesopotamia along the banks of the Euphrates River. When rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar, the city had a palace, temples, public buildings, hanging gardens, and streets laid out in a grid. During its peak, it was the largest city in the world with populations exceeding 200,000 people. It was home to kings such as Hammurabi (1810-1750 BC) and Nebuchadnezzar (634-562 BC) as well as the fabled Hanging Gardens (built by Nebuchadnezzar, but whose location is lost) which are one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today the ruins of the city can be found around 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq.
What is Babylon?
500
This became the capital city of the Assyrian Empire in the 13th Century BC. It is situated where the Tigris meets its tributary the Great Zab. Although the city later fell into ruins, the great King Ashurnasirpal II rebuilt the city and made it the Assyrian capital once again in 880 BC. This cityTwas home to some of the most magnificent palaces built in ancient history. The palace of Shalmaneser III covered over 12 acres and had more than 200 rooms.
What is Nimrud?