Sumerian Civilization

The Sumerians had the first city,the first sailboat. Sumerians had a king Named Gilgamesh and he was the king of Babylon and Babylon was a city inside of sumerians. Sumer was an ancient city that built the first wheel in civilization. Sumer was  founded in the Mesopotamia region of the Fertile Crescent situated between the Tigris and Euphrates river; the rivers made it easy for them to trade for other things like water, food. One of the greatest sources of information on ancient Mesopotamia is the so-called “King List,it had all the list of kings in sumer.The sumer was Known for their innovations in language, governance, architecture and more because that where the first city. (HH)

Akkadian Civilization

Around 4,500 years ago, Sargon of Akkad, who used to serve as a cupbearer for the king of Kish, conquered the Sumerian civilization. From then on the Sumerian civilization was known as the Akkadian civilization. Sargon of Akkad was a military leader who eventually conquered further north and east. Akkad is located on Fertile Crescent and has both the Euphrates and Tigris river running through the beautiful land. The Akkadian civilization didn't last very long, only from 2400 B.C to 2100 B.C.

The Akkadians had so many important achievements and conquests such as large food surpluses, confiscation of wealth, and agricultural surpluses. Akkad had many special works of art but stone sculptures were quite popular. Some other works of art were structures and important places were the postal office, library featuring astronomical observations, or art pieces showing sad or grim topics. This civilization had many cities for all the amazing features it has! Some of the cities were Tell Brak, Akkad, Gasur, and Ninive. 

Unfortunately, everything has to come to an end. Including the Akkadian civilization. After Naram-Sin died in 2154 B.C, the Gutian Invaders invaded and conquered Akkad. Some believe that the decline was caused by drought and climatic change or by a mysterious curse called the Curse of Akkad that was cast by the god of wind, height, breath, and distance, Enlil. According to the curse, Naram-Sin had angered Enlil so Enlil punished him by making Akkad come to an end. Overall, Akkad has made so many great achievements and plays a big role is mesopotamian history. (LS) 

Babylonian Civilization   

Babylonia was the most powerful Mesopotamian Empire at two different times. Babylonia was the most powerful under two different rulers. The old Babylonian Empire which is when Hammurabi ruled. The second time was the Neo Babylonian Empire. 

Hammurabi, who was the old Babylonian king, took over in 1972 BCE. He took over as the sixth king. Hammurabi occupied the middle and southern part of Mesopotamia. He turned Babylon into a rich, happy, and powerful city. Hammurabi created a code called the Hammurabi code. The code helped regulate trade, business, and social relationships in babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar was the second king of Babylon. He conquered Syria and Palestine. Nebuchadnezzar rebuilt many of the temples that belonged to God. He is known for being determined to rebuild Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar built the Hanging Gardens. He built it for his wife because she missed the rolling hills and valleys of her hometown in the distant kingdom of Media. Nebuchadnezzar died on October 7, 562 BC. 

In 539 BC the Persian king Cyrus the Great took over Babylon. The fall of Babylon was complete when the Babylon empire became under Persian control. The city became the opposite of when Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar were kings. The city of Babylonia was unhappy and poor. Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar in conclusion were the best two kings of Babylonia.  (HW)

Assyrian Civilization

Assyria's Origin 

The Assyrian Empire that lasted from 900 BCE to 600 BCE was one of the first militaristic empires to ever exist. The Assyrian Empire was more to the northern side of Mesopotamia, where modern day Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, and Syria is located. Around the second millennium BCE it was a nation-state, but it would always go through changes. At times it was independent and other times it was under the control of nations like the Babylonian Empire, and later under Mitanni rule. It eventually overthrew Mitanni rule and sent the region into chaos and destruction. This left an opportunity for the Assyrians to take control. 

Assyrian Kings

Around 900 B.C.E. a line of Assyrian kings took over to grow the empire to its fullest. Some of these kings included, Ashurbanipal who from 631-638 B.C.E., Esarhaddon who ruled from 669-680 B.C.E., Sennacherib who ruled from 681-704 B.C.E., and Sargon II who ruled from 705-721 B.C.E.

Assyria's Military Might

While the rest of Mesopotamia was using bronze weapons, the Assyrians started to use iron weapons. This was a massive advantage at the time, which led to the Assyrians becoming so dominant. They were also the first to use a unit separate from their main army. An engineering unit. This allowed the Assyrians to create ladders, fill in moats, and dig under the city walls. In addition to that, they also invented chariots to help them on the battlefield. The Assyrians believed, just like the Sumerians, that outside of the city, there was danger and chaos. To satisfy the gods' needs, the Assyrian king was to conquer and absorb everything around the Assyrian Empire to make order in the world. After Assyria would conquer a city they would plunder everyone’s wealth and even take people to absorb into their army. (SM)