THE 7 MOST IMPORTANT CITIES OF MESOPOTAMIA - HISTORY - 2025

Some of the most important cities in Mesopotamia, an ancient region of the eastern Mediterranean, were Babylon, Ur, Uruk or Eridu. Mesopotamia is called the ancient region of the eastern Mediterranean, limited to the northeast by the Zagros Mountains and to the southeast by the Arabian plateau.

Today the region is located in the territory of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey. The name “Mesopotamia” means “between two rivers”, referring to the Euphrates and the Tigris that crossed the region.

The population that made up ancient Mesopotamia came from multiple empires and cultures. These civilizations had their gods in common, although with different names, writing, the importance they gave to literacy and equal rights between men and women.

The 7 main cities of ancient Mesopotamia

1- Babylon

One of the most beautiful cities in the world and the most important in Mesopotamia. Its known history begins with King Hammurabi and his codes of laws, implemented to keep the peace.

The Euphrates River ran through its center, it had a system of defensive walls that surrounded it and it had a population of 200,000 inhabitants.

Its hanging gardens were the admiration of the planet.

2- Ur

Located south of Mesopotamia, in what is now Iraq, the city is named after its founder.

It was a port city on the Persian Gulf, which began as a small town and by 3800 BC it was already an important city, a center of commerce, due to its strategic location.

3- Uruk

It emerged in 4500 BC, founded by King Enmerkar. Located in the southern region of Sumer, Iraq.

It is known for its famous King Gilgamesh and his epic tale of his search for immortality.

Many inventions occurred in it, for example, the use of the seal to mark the royal documents.

4- Eridu

It is currently called Abu Shahrein, in Iraq. It is considered the first city in the world, founded in 5400 BC it was believed that it had been created by the gods.

It was the abode of the first kings, who, it was believed, were descendants of those same deities.

5- Lagash

In Telloh today, an enormous number of cuneiform texts were discovered in it.

It is one of the greatest sources of knowledge of Sumer in the third millennium BC. It has numerous temples, including that of Eninnu.

6- Nippur

It was a city that was considered sacred by many of the most powerful kings. It was the cradle of the creator of men, Enil, god of storms, and a temple was erected in his honor.

The ruler of Nippur was considered to be the king of Akkad and Summer. It was also an administrative center, in archaeological excavations more than ten thousand tables were found.

7- Akshak

Located on the northern limit of Akkad, it is identified with the Babylonian city of Upi (Opis).

In about 2500 BC, it was conquered by Eannatum, king of Lagash and a century later established its hegemony over the Sumer and Akkad region.

References

1. Kessler Associates. (2002). Middle East Kingdoms. 09/30/2017, from Academia edu Website: www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsMiddEast/MesopotamiaNippur
2. Editors. (2014). Major cities of Ancient Mesopotamia. 09/30/2017, by Mare Nostrum Website: es.marenostrum.info
3. Joshua Mark. (2009). Mesopotamia. 09/30/2017, from Ancient Website: ancient.eu/Mesopotamia
4. Editor. (2013). Cities in Mesopotamia. 09/30/2017, from Ancient Mesopotamians Website: www.ancientmesopotamians.com/cities-in-mesopotamia2.html
5. Peter Britton. (2017). Civilization: Ancient Mesopotamia. 10/01/2017, from Time Maps Website: www.timemaps.com/civilizations/ancient-mesopotamia