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Essay: Mesopotamia -- the cradle of human civilization

While humanity has seen numerous civilizations rise and fall, arguably no civilization left as important a legacy as the Mesopotamian civilization. This civilization, established approximately 3500 BC, oversaw tremendous technological innovation, social transformation and legal and governmental development that, together, laid the foundation of civilizations to follow. As such, the developments that occurred in Mesopotamia reaffirm the idea that Mesopotamia truly does deserve the moniker “the cradle of human civilization”.

            The technological innovations that were developed within Mesopotamia validate the idea that Mesopotamia truly does deserve the moniker “the cradle of human civilization”. Firstly, a major development, beginning in Sumer, was the wheel. This innovation later developed into two-wheeled chariots pulled by donkeys, which served early Mesopotamians well in conflicts between city-states and other budding civilizations. Later, pulleys were invented to raise water from wells. Further, this innovation promoted the building of roads and the installation of a postal service, established by Tilgath-pileser III (745 BC). Secondly, farming and agriculture promoted many technological adjustments, especially in Sumer and Babylonia. Canal systems and irrigation ditches were made to better water crops. Oxen were harnessed to ploughs using a shoulder yoke, which made ploughing easier. Later, the plough was redesigned for better ploughing; it was made to turn the soil and a seed drill was added. Lastly, Mesopotamia was on the leading edge of the Bronze and Iron Ages (beginning respectively in Sumer and Assyria). These developments allow better weapons and tools to be made. Also, trade began in Sumer, and, later, grows into river trade with neighbouring civilizations. In Babylonia, the first currency was introduced: the shekel, mina, and talent.

            In addition to these technological breakthroughs, the social and cultural transformations that occurred within Mesopotamia stress further the idea that Mesopotamia truly does deserve the moniker “the cradle of human civilization”. Firstly, many different forms of art were introduced. Pottery was refined. Reliefs of gods and royal figures were made, and, in late Mesopotamia, grew in importance. Secondly, an interest in science and mathematics grew in Mesopotamia. A system of mathematics was invented, the first calendar (lunar calendar) was made, and the interest in astronomy promoted a more efficient calendar later on. Lastly, literature played an important role in the transformation of society and culture in Mesopotamia. In early Sumer, cuneiform was created; the cradle of written words is also the cradle of human civilization. The “Epic of Gilgamesh” was the first and oldest story written in cuneiform, still being told today. In Babylonia, cuneiform made it possible for Hammurabi’s law code, the greatest law structure of Mesopotamia. As the interest in the maths and sciences grew, libraries and schools were built, containing clay tablets. This bolstered even greater construction feats, such as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

            In addition to the technological modifications and the social and cultural metamorphoses that occurred in Mesopotamia, the Mesopotamian establishments of legal and governmental frameworks further testify the idea that Mesopotamia truly does deserve the moniker “the cradle of human civilization”. Firstly, early Mesopotamia started as many city-states (each including a city and the surrounding area). Every city-state managed its own government, laws, and military; they were independent. This changed as power shifted from one ruler to another through the ages. Secondly, major cities and people dominated and impacted Mesopotamia. Babylonia’s greatest ruler was King Hammurabi, who famously made Hammurabi’s law code. Trade was mainly established in the age of Assyria, the trading centre being Ashur. Ashurbanipal was the greatest empire-builder, ruling more of the known world than any of his predecessors and managed to hold his empire intact throughout his entire reign. These people and cities drew Mesopotamia into new levels of sophistication.  Lastly, establishments of legal and governmental frameworks in Mesopotamia were further developed by the Mesopotamians being conquered and invaded by different neighbouring civilizations, expanding and contracting borders, and the constant struggle for power in Mesopotamian leadership. Due to conflicts with neighbouring civilizations, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Chaldean frames of government were remade and superior armies were raised.

            The developments that occurred in Mesopotamia reaffirm that Mesopotamia truly does deserve the moniker “the cradle of human civilization”.  In Mesopotamia, inventions and new ways of thinking were born, some of which are still used today. Examples of these include: the wheel, a variation of the plough, trade and currency, art, mathematics, science, literature, written law and, most importantly, the unity of a people-group to perform tasks never before attempted.