Ancient Mesopotamia
The Land Between Two Rivers
Thousands of year ago, there were three major civilizations in ancient Mesopotamia - ancient Sumer, ancient Babylon, and ancient Assyria. These were the first real civilizations in ancient times. That's why ancient Mesopotamia is nicknamed the Cradle (or birth) of Civilization. It's other nickname is "the land between two rivers".
Ancient Mesopotamia covered an area that was about 300 miles long and about 150 miles wide. The villages, towns and cities in ancient Mesopotamia were built between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. These two rivers flowed into the Persian Gulf. With all this water, it's no wonder the ancient Mesopotamians invented the first sailboat. They made beautiful pottery and built two-level, three-level, and even four-level homes of sturdy sun-baked brick.
The ancient Mesopotamians invented so many firsts - they invented the first wheel, the first super hero (Gilgamesh), the first written language, the first library, the first written laws - equal for all people - and besides all that, they were the first farmers and had the gloomiest gods! Welcome to ancient Mesopotamia!
Mr. Donn and
Maxie's Ancient History PowerPoints Series
Written by Lin & Don Donn,
illustrated by Phillip Martin, Published by Good Year Books
Mr. Donn and
Maxie's Always Something You Can Use Series
Written by Lin & Don Donn, Published by Good Year Books