All  

Store Banner Mobile

Store Banner Mobile

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

Shock Find! Assyrian Palace from 600 BC Discovered Under Demolished Shrine in Iraq

Shock Find! Assyrian Palace from 600 BC Discovered Under Demolished Shrine in Iraq

Archaeologists working at a demolished shrine in Mosul, Iraq have stumbled upon a discovery of a previously unknown palace from about 600 BC. It has been declared that the monumental find may provide...
15th century the basement of a "market house" used as a prison

Prisons and Imprisonment in the Ancient World: Punishments Used to Maintain Public Order

One of the most well-known forms of punishment today is imprisonment. One could argue that for any society to function properly, public order has to be maintained. This is an important function of...
Representation of an ancient Egyptian chariot.

The Untold History of The Wheel And Its Evolution

The wheel can be considered mankind’s most important invention, the utility of which is still applied in multiple spheres of our daily life. While most other inventions have been derived from nature...
The reconstructed Bull’s Lyre.

A Bull-Headed Lyre: Reconstructing the Sound and Style of Ancient Mesopotamia

A musician may have strummed its strings all the way back in the 3rd millennium BC. This means that the Bull’s Lyre, aka the Golden Lyre of Ur, is one of the oldest string instruments in the world...
Winged human-headed bull, lamassu or shedu, the Lost City of Dur-Sharrukin.

The Lost City of Dur-Sharrukin – The Capital That Never Was

Dur-Sharrukin is an ancient Assyrian city that was founded towards the end of the 8 th century BC. The city was established by Sargon II to serve as his new capital. Nevertheless, Sargon died before...
Astounding Ancient Assyria: The Grand Palace of Assurnasirpal

Astounding Ancient Assyria: The Grand Palace of Assurnasirpal

The grand palace of Assurnasirpal (Ashurnasirpal) II was one of the most incredible sites of ancient Assyria. Located in Nimrud, Iraq, the immense palace was richly decorated with sophisticated...
A seedhead of an opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, with white latex. (Public Domain) Cylinder-seal of the "Lady" or "Queen" (Sumerian NIN) Puabi, one of the defuncts of the Royal Cemetery of Ur, c. 2600 BC. Banquet scene, typical of the Early Dynastic Period.

New Research Provides First Peek at Ancient Mesopotamian Drug Use

Medical usage? Ritual practice? Or perhaps the drugs served both purposes? Researchers are asking what the recently recovered psychoactive drug residues from ancient Mesopotamia mean. But not...
Mesopotamian seals and cuneiform tablets found in Marad, Iraq.      Source: Universita di Pisa

Cuneiform Tablets and ‘Envelopes’ Tell of Mesopotamian Sophistication

A team of Italian and Iraqi archaeologists has unearthed hundreds of cuneiform tablets in central Iraq. They also uncovered some clay coverings and seals with the tablets. The collection of cuneiform...
Remote sensing and drone footage of the Lagash / Tell al-Hiba site was deployed to conclude that the ancient Mesopotamian city was made up of four marsh islands. Source: Lagash Archaeological Project

Drone Footage Reveals Lost Mesopotamian City Built on Marsh Islands

Using remote sensing data technologies at the site of one of the oldest urban centers in world history, scientists have identified a vast Mesopotamian settlement called Lagash. Once upon a time,...
The Cube of Zoroaster at Naqsh-e Rustam - an ancient necropolis located in Fars Province, Iran, with a group of ancient Iranian rock reliefs cut into the cliff, from both the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods.

The 2500-year-old Cube of Zoroaster To Stay Shaken But Not Stirred

Many archaeologically significant sites are under threat from the elements or because of environmental issues. For some time, one of the most important monuments in Iran was believed to be under...
Ereshkigal.

Ereshkigal: The Mighty Mesopotamian Goddess of the Underworld

“Namtar made his voice heard and spake, addressed his words to Ereshkigal, "Send me to Anu your father, and let me arrest the god! Let me take him to you, that he may kiss you again!" - Excerpt from...
Pharaoh Tutankhamun riding a chariot

Superweapon of the Ancient World: A History of Chariots - Part I

The chariot is often associated with the ancient Egyptian civilization. It became a prominent weapon of war during the New Kingdom. In fact, it is often considered a superweapon of the ancient world...
Lives And Losses Of Laodicea, Crown Of Phrygia

Lives And Losses Of Laodicea, Crown Of Phrygia

In the west central part of ancient Phrygia in Anatolia, Turkey, the ruins of Laodicea crown the hill between the narrow valleys of the Asopus and Caprus rivers, converging into the Lycus river...
Arg-é Bam: An Ancient Citadel Destroyed By Nature and Reconstructed By Humanity

Arg-é Bam: An Ancient Citadel Destroyed By Nature and Reconstructed By Humanity

Arg-é Bam is a citadel located in Bam, a city in the Kerman Province in the south-eastern part of Iran. This citadel was built entirely out of adobe unbaked clay bricks, and it is often regarded as...
Ancient demon. Credit: pixelleo / Adobe Stock

Mesopotamian ‘Demon of Epilepsy’ Discovered on 2700-Year-Old Tablet

A researcher studying an ancient Assyrian cuneiform tablet has found an image of a demon. The demon was believed to have been the cause of epilepsy. The tablet was used to treat health conditions,...
The drum has been used since ancient times for rituals and communication. Source: zolotareva_elina / Adobe Stock.

Primeval Communication and the Beat of the Drum

Human beings need complex communication, no matter if it's through speech or music . The invention of drums has become an essential factor in all musical forms of artistic expression. It is through...
Top image: A photo of Assur. Inset: Head most likely of Sargon of Akkad.

Both Religion and Royalty Reigned in the Assyrian City of Assur

Known today also as Qal’at Sherqat, the ancient Assyrian city of Assur is located in the Saladin Governorate of modern day Iraq, about 280 km (174 miles) north of the capital, Baghdad. This city was...
Painting of the second Peacock Throne from the Red Fort in Delhi, India. (1850) The first Peacock Throne was taken as a war trophy by the Persian King Nader Shah in 1739 and has been lost ever since.

Thrones of Gods and Kings: Symbols of Power through History

The Iron Throne from the Game of Thrones is perhaps one of the most iconic objects in 21st century pop culture. The concept of the throne, as many already know, has been in existence for a much...
Anahita and Ishtar: Connections to the Planet Venus

Anahita and Ishtar: Connections to the Planet Venus

Anahita was a goddess associated with water, fertility, wisdom, warfare, and eventually the planet Venus. During the Achaemenid dynasty in Persia, she became incorporated into the Zoroastrian...
A view of the Bibi-Khanum Mosque, Samarkand.

Samarkand: An Ancient Link Between East and West

Samarkand, also spelled as Samarqand, is a city located in modern day Uzbekistan, or the historical Central Asian region of Transoxiana. The city’s location in the Zerafshan River Valley provided it...
Nabu: Ancient Mesopotamian God of Scribes and Wisdom

Nabu: Ancient Mesopotamian God of Scribes and Wisdom

Nestled in the fertile region around the River Tigris and Euphrates, the historical region of ancient Mesopotamia has long been regarded as one of the earliest cradles of civilization. Home to...
The ancient city of Susa in Iran

The ancient city of Susa in Iran is a worldwide treasure

The Biblical city of Shushan, now the modern Iranian city of Shush, has been added to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) World Heritage List along with six...
Drugs in Ancient Cultures: A History of Drug Use and Effects

Drugs in Ancient Cultures: A History of Drug Use and Effects

The battle against drugs and drug usage rages on today and for good reason. However, with the near constant limelight that the ‘drug war’ receives today, it can seem like the most common drugs have...
Detail of a modern depiction of the goddess Ishtar.

Love is a Battlefield: The Legend of Ishtar, First Goddess of Love and War

Louise Pryke / The Conversation As singer Pat Benatar once noted, love is a battlefield . Such use of military words to express intimate, affectionate emotions is likely related to love’s capacity to...

Pages