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Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

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Ancient Mesopotamia

Welcome to our comprehensive section on Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization! Situated in the fertile land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Mesopotamia is a region of immense historical significance. Often referred to as the "land between the rivers," this ancient region of civilization emerged around 3500 BC and flourished for thousands of years, leaving an indelible mark on human history.

In this dedicated section, we invite you to embark on a journey through time, delving into the rich tapestry of Mesopotamian culture, society, and achievements. From the earliest Sumerian city-states to the mighty Babylonian empire, Mesopotamia witnessed the rise and fall of numerous civilizations, each contributing unique innovations and advancements that shaped the course of human development.

Explore the extraordinary achievements of Mesopotamia's remarkable people, who pioneered fundamental elements of civilization such as writing, law, architecture, mathematics, and astronomy. Discover the awe-inspiring ziggurats that reached towards the heavens, the meticulous cuneiform script that chronicled daily life, and the visionary rulers whose ambitions reshaped the region's destiny.

Uncover the intricate social structure of Mesopotamia, where kings, priests, warriors, and farmers played distinct roles in a complex societal framework. Learn about the religious beliefs that permeated every aspect of life and the intricate mythologies that captivated the hearts and minds of ancient Mesopotamians.

As you navigate this section, you will gain a deeper understanding of the legacy left by Mesopotamia, as its inventions and cultural achievements continue to resonate throughout history. Our aim is to provide you with a comprehensive resource that unveils the marvels of Mesopotamian civilization, allowing you to appreciate the profound impact it has had on the world we inhabit today.

History & Chronology of Ancient Mesopotamia

Sumer

Akkad

Babylon

Assyria

Achaemenid

Mesopotamian Figures

Sumerians

Akkadians

Babylonians

Achaemenids

Assyrians

Mesopotamian Places

Mesopotamian Cities

Mesopotamian Temples & Monuments

Mesopotamian Palaces

Mesopotamian Life

Mesopotamian Society & Culture

Mesopotamian Gods & Religion

Mesopotamian Knowledge

Mesopotamian Military & Warfare

Mesopotamian Artifacts

Mesopotamian Technology

Mesopotamian Writings

Other Mesopotamian Artifacts

The reconstructed Ishtar Gate of Babylon at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin. Source: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin / CC BY-SA 4.0

Babylon's Monumental Ishtar Gate Travelled from Iraq to Germany

If you've ever stood in awe beneath the towering 14-meter (46 ft) high Ishtar Gate at Berlin’s Pergamon Museum, you might have questioned how on Earth this Babylonian marvel came to be there—6,000 km...
Facsimile of Diogo Ribeiro's 1529 Carta Universal.  Source: Public Domain

History of Maps: From Ancient Artifacts to Modern Marvels

The history of cartography traces humanity's relentless quest to understand and depict the world around us. From ancient civilizations sketching rudimentary maps to modern digital cartography, this...
Utu-Khegal, Prince of the Summerian city of Erech, imploring victory against the Gutian king, Tirikan. Source: Public Domain

The Gutians - Babylon's Brutal Barbarians (Video)

The Gutians , believed to have dwelled in the rugged terrain surrounding the Zagros Mountains, emerge as intriguing yet mysterious figures in ancient Mesopotamian annals. Dependent solely on accounts...
AI image of Mesopotamian Empire. Source: Rick/Adobe Stock

The Civilizations of Ancient Mesopotamia Explained (Video)

Ancient Mesopotamia , often referred to as the cradle of civilization, witnessed the flourishing of several remarkable cultures, including the Sumerians, Assyrians, Persians, and Babylonians. The...
Eve tempted by the serpent in a paradise illustrated according to the texts of the Bible. An image showing good and evil in one scene.

Lilith: Ancient Demon, Dark Deity or Sensual Goddess?

Lilith, an ancient mythological figure and one of the oldest known female spirits in the world, has embodied various roles across cultures. In some sources she has been described as a demon, while in...
The Temple to Ninmakh to the east of Ishtar Gate in ancient Babylon. Source: CC BY-SA 4.0

Babylon’s Temple of Ninmakh, the Mesopotamian Goddess of Humankind

One of the great temples constructed during the Neo-Babylonian period (626-539 BC), the golden age of the city of Babylon, was the Temple of Ninmakh. The temple was built adjacent to the famous...
Divination was an important aspect of everyday life in ancient Mesopotamia. Source: breakermaximus / Adobe Stock

Divination and Omens in Mesopotamian Society

Ancient civilizations, throughout history, depended on the skill and intricacy of their diviners. Divination is the method of ritually foreseeing the future and the outcome of big events. In this way...
The Mesopotamian military represented here used weapons of war to achieve great success. Source: WILD HARE/Adobe Stock

Mesopotamian Military Mastery - The Ancient Reinvention of Warfare

Creating a great empire in ancient times was no simple task, and it usually involved a lot of warfare. Ancient Mesopotamia, called by many the cradle of civilization, was also the cradle of organized...
William Blake's ‘The Madness of Nebchuadnezzar’: Does the Book of Daniel confuse Nebchuadnezzar II with Nabonidus? Source: New World Encyclopedia/CC-BY-SA 3.0

The Lost Years of Nabonidus, Last King of the Neo-Babylonian Empire

Nabonidus was the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, reigning from 556-539 BC. He took the throne after the assassination of the boy-king Labashi-Marduk, who was murdered in a conspiracy only...
AI image of a Persian warrior leader in the desert. Source: Art Gallery/Adobe Stock

The History of Xerxes I: The Great King of the Persian Empire (Video)

Xerxes I , a formidable figure in the annals of Persian history, ascended to the throne amid complex familial dynamics. Born in 515 BC to Darius the Great and Atosa, the daughter of Cyrus the Great,...
Sulimaniya brick B318, part of the collection holding the signature of the geomagnetic anomaly.	Source: MIT License

Ancient Mesopotamian Bricks Record 3,000-Year-Old Geomagnetic Anomaly

A geomagnetic anomaly that occurred between 3,000 and 2,500 years ago has shed light on ancient Mesopotamia in a way that has never been explored before. Analysis of ancient bricks from Mesopotamia,...
Rastafarian playing reggae music. Source: Victor / Adobe Stock

Reggae Music Lyrics are Intimately Linked to Historic Babylon

Next time you find yourself swaying along to Bob Marley’s Exodus , pay attention to the lyrics. “We know where we’re going. We know where we’re from. We leaving Babylon. We going to our Father’s Land...
Ernst Stötzner during scanning a cuneiform tablet in order to decipher the text.  Source: Maike Glöckner/Uni Halle

Ancient Cuneiform Tablets Instantly Deciphered By Revolutionary Methods

New artificial intelligence software is now able to decipher difficult-to-read texts on cuneiform tablets, almost in an instant. Instead of photos, the AI system uses 3D models of the tablets,...
Hanging gardens of Babylon. Source: Trendy Image Two / Adobe Stock.

The Wonders of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon (Video)

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon , a marvel of ancient Babylonian architecture, emerged around 600 BC, a testament to King Nebuchadnezzar II's devotion to Princess Amitis of Media. Consolidating the...
One of the Ram in a Thicket statues. Source: British Museum / CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Ram in a Thicket: A Mesopotamian Legacy from the Ancient City of Ur

The treasures of ancient cultures are a source of never ending inspiration. It is such a wonder to see the magnificence of the art that was created in the dawn of civilization, so long before our...
The Sirrush Dragons guarded the Gate of Ishtar.	Source: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP (Glasg)/CC BY-SA 4.0

The Ishtar Gate and the Deities of Babylon

The Ishtar Gate was the main entrance into the great city of Babylon, commissioned by King Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BC) as part of his plan to create one of the most splendid and powerful cities of...
Mesopotamian clay balls have been unearthed in Iran. Source: Fair use

Mesopotamian Clay Balls: Ancient Relics or Prehistoric Hard Drives?

Research conducted in late 2013 offered intriguing clues to decoding the secrets of the Mesopotamian clay balls, which date back 5,500 years. The study, which used CT scanning to look inside the clay...
An embracing couple in medieval dress, symbolic of ancient love stories of history. Source: Karrrtinki/Adobe Stock

7 Ancient Love Stories That Shook the World

In the annals of history, there exist tales of love that transcend the boundaries of time and society, romances that have left a permanent mark on the world. From the passionate but doomed romance of...
Kali, Hindu goddess of death. Source: super / Adobe Stock.

10 Most Fearsome Gods in Ancient Mythology

Throughout the long ages of our collective history, gods and goddesses have been revered, worshiped, and feared . Ancient mythologies from around the world are rife with deities who instilled awe and...
The Great Flood. Source:  Faith Stock/Adobe Stock

How Sumerian Tablets Told the Story of The Great Flood

The world's first known flood myth can be traced back to the Sumerians around 2000 BC. Sumerian tablets recount captivating tales of human beginnings, the creation of mankind, and the profound...
The Magnificent Ishtar Gate of Babylon

The Magnificent Ishtar Gate of Babylon

The Ishtar Gate was the eighth gate of the city of Babylon (in present day Iraq) and was the main entrance into the great city. It was a sight to behold; the gate was covered in lapis lazuli glazed...
Persian Queen Atossa was a prominent figure of the Achaemenid Empire. Source: kharchenkoirina/Adobe Stock

Queen Atossa, Daughter of one Emperor, and Wife to Another

The famed Achaemenid Empire was an ancient Iranian empire that was founded by the renowned Cyrus the Great in 550 BC. It quickly arose as one of the leading global powers of the time, and swept...
Digital reconstruction of Northwest Palace, Nimrud. Source: YouTube Screenshot / The Met.

Digital Reconstruction of the Northwest Palace, Nimrud, Assyria (Video)

In 2014, the Metropolitan Museum of Art unveiled a captivating digital reconstruction of the Northwest Palace of Ashurnasirpal II in Nimrud, Assyria (near modern Mosul in northern Iraq). This...
Sumerian priestess. Source: Oleksandr / Adobe Stock.

Sumerian King Iddin-Dagan Copulated with a Priestess in a Public Annual Ritual

In the annals of history, we have witnessed a myriad of unique, and at times, bizarre traditions that have defined civilizations and their leaders. One such tradition that stands tall in its peculiar...

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