- Mesopotamia, located in the Middle East, is a region comprised of modern-day Iraq, Kuwait, and parts of Iran, Syria, and Turkey.
- It is characterized by two rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, which flow through the region and create a fertile crescent that supported early civilizations.
EARLY HISTORY
- The first major civilization in Mesopotamia was the Sumerian civilization, which emerged in the 4th millennium BC.
- The Sumerian cities were located along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and they relied on trade to obtain resources that were not locally available, such as metal and timber.
- The Sumerians developed a system of writing called cuneiform, which was used for record-keeping and trade.
IMPORTANCE OF TRADE TO THE ASSYRIANS AND BABYLONIANS
- The Assyrians and Babylonians, who succeeded the Sumerians, continued to rely on trade to obtain resources and maintain their power.
- The Assyrians were skilled warriors and traders, and they built a vast empire that stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indus River.
- They established trade routes that connected Mesopotamia with Egypt, Anatolia, and India.
- The Babylonians were also skilled traders, and they built a large empire that included most of the Middle East.
- They established trade routes that connected Mesopotamia with India, China, and Southeast Asia.
- Trade was essential to the Assyrians and Babylonians for several reasons:
1. It allowed them to obtain resources that were not locally available, such as metal, timber, and stone.
2. It helped them to maintain their power and wealth by providing them with a source of revenue.
3. It facilitated cultural exchange between different civilizations.
