- This is an article about the middle eastern region in ancient times. For the its modern history, see Iraq and Syria. See also Mesopotamia, Ohio. For the B-52s song, see The
B-52's.
Mesopotamia (Greek:
Μεσοποταμία, translated from Old Persian Miyanrudan "the Land between the Rivers" or the Aramaic name Beth-Nahrin "two rivers") is a region of Southwest Asia. Strictly speaking, it is the alluvial
plain lying between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in modern Iraq and Syria. More commonly, the term includes these river plains in totality as well as the surrounding lowland territories
bounded by the Arabian Desert to the west and south, the Persian Gulf to the immediate south, the Zagros Mountains and the Caucasus mountains to the
north.
Writings from Mesopotamia (Uruk, modern Warka) are the earliest written work in the
world, giving Mesopotamia the reputation of being the "Cradle of Civilization".
Mesopotamia was settled by, and conquered by, numerous ancient civilizations, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, Assyrians and the Persian Empire. Peoples who threatened or invaded these lands include the Hittites and the Elamites. During the time of the
Persian Empire of Sassanids this area was called Dil-i Iranshahr meaning "Iran's Heart" and the metropol Ctesiphon, the capital of Persia was situated
in Mesopotamia.
These civilizations arose from earlier settlements and cultures which were among the first to make use of agriculture.
Early cities in this region include:
Further reading
- A DWELLER
IN MESOPOTAMIA (http://fax.libs.uga.edu/DS49x2xM465D/), being the
adventures of an official artist in the garden of Eden, by Donald Maxwell, 1921
- MESOPOTAMIAN ARCHAEOLOGY (http://fax.libs.uga.edu/DS69x5xH236M/), by Percy S. P. Handcock, 1912
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