Ancient Culture of Mesopotamia Essay

between 3000-550BC, the civilization of the subtlety of Mesopotamia, also k promptly as The Land Between deuce Rivers was at its peak. Unfortunately, much of Mesopotamias contri justions to the invoice of hu human race civilization go unnoticed. The throttle history available on this vivid land cross-files that a great shell out of human civilization begun in Mesopotamia. This is proven by its extensive trade routes, dandy leaders, and astronomical development in applied science that came into being in the superannuated Mesopotamia. Undoubtedly, the past destination in Mesopotamia was the epitome of civilization. Duker and Spielvogel enumerate a number of persuasions that need to considered for a shade to be referred to as down (7). They include the existence of written laws, intense agriculture, division of labor, highly merged communities, foodstuff economy, among other variables.Thus, get toing from these elements that dictate civilizations, this analyze attemp ts to explain why the superannuated culture of Mesopotamia deserves to be cal direct a civilization. By 3000 BC, the Sumerians, mass of unknown origin had expanded the cities in Mesopotamia. During this period, they began to exercise political and economic train over other parts of the huge Mesopotamia. In addition, they formed city states, the some basic units of civilization in Mesopotamia. To head start with, it is necessary to consider how Mesopotamia was divided. Mesopotamia was divided into what is now referred to as Sumerian cities. Walls surrounded these cities with towers for apology shooting up high to 35 feet. Uruk, for instance, was a city heavily protect by Sumerians remarkable creativity and innovation. The buildings in Mesopotamia were large.Made of sun-dried-bricks and bound in concert by mud, Sumerians, both peasants put up d surfaceings that housed their households. Evidently, Mesopotamia has displayed the or so artistic and creative architecture make o f bricks of all time. Secondly, the economic might of the flock of Mesopotamia further proves the level of civilization exhibited by Mesopotamias culture. Sumerian cities were predominantly agricultural. Howalmodal values, Mesopotamians unspoilt other economic aspects such(prenominal) as commerce and industry. For instance, they produced metalwork, pottery, and woolen textiles. In a display of their established trade marketplace economy, Mesopotamians exchanged their agricultural products such as dried fish, barley, and wheat for imports that included copper, timber, and tin. deal out in Mesopotamia was make even easier with the cosmos of carts with wheels. Duker and Spielvogel postulate that close to 90% of the wide Mesopotamian population practiced agriculture (8). With the development in the numbers of Sumerian cities, Mesopotamia power saw the need for the creation of more perplex leadership structures. Thus in 2340 BC, the city states were abolished and more expansive and inclusive im progress of leadership came into force, the empire. Mesopotamia did not sole(prenominal) boom on extensive and highly unified trade routes it enjoyed the leadership of a roaring system of governance. Despite having fallen more or less the time when city states were abolished ushering in the excogitation of an empire, Mesopotamia had accomplished leaders.Sargon I, for instance, was able to bring together the vast land of polite mickle together and foster unity, which further gave his subjects the counterinsurgency necessary for development. Along with the highly structured and remarkably efficient government systems was the feel of law that existed in Mesopotamia. The Code of Hammurabi, for instance, was a collection of laws that provided a platform for practice justice in Mesopotamia. Just as most laws in this day and age are stern, Duker and Spielvogel give an insight into how these laws were implemented (9). The Hammurabi Code is proof of a civil a ntique society with strict rules that came with strict punishments for breach any. As farthermost as religious aspects of this ancient culture were concerned, it is apparent(a) that the people of Mesopotamia were spiritual.In Mesopotamia, godliness was led by priests who were accorded respect and valued by everyone including the kings. They believed in the existence of gods who were said to be at the helm of all the endeavors in Mesopotamia. It was in this effect that kings and other leaders had the responsibility of dedicating monuments and offerings for the gods for their much needed favor, particularly at times of war. With many gods to be observed by the Mesopotamians, it suffices to tell that religion was based on polytheism. Another aspect of ultimate wideness in the ancient culture of Mesopotamia is that of the construct of arts and sciences. At around 3000 BC, the Sumerians introduced a system of musical composition that they referred to as cuneiform.Out of reeds, th ey inscribed cuneate piece of musics on clay tablets. The tablets were thusly baked, and once dry, they left permanent impressions that arouse continued to be sources of fascinating books of this ancient society. It is from this invention that the art of committal to make-up began, without which we would contain known nothing almost piece of writing. Therefore, it is agreeable that the ancient culture of Mesopotamia was civilized. Initially, Sumerian art of writing began with pictures of concrete objects, but gradually developed to form a phonetic system that made it feasible for them to put abstract ideas into writing. Tracking the importance of writing in the ancient Mesopotamia, Duker and Spielvogel show how writing was vital to the people of Mesopotamia (13).With writing came the practice of keeping records of previous activities in addition to enhancing non-verbal communication. In addition to the outstanding art, Mesopotamians made incredible achievements as far as scientific discoveries are concerned. Arguably, their contributions to the mathematics we perform instantly never go unnoticed. Thus, Mesopotamians played a pivotal theatrical role in the sphere of mathematics and astronomy. Duker and Spielvogel send word that Mesopotamian culture ushered in a draw in of technological advancements that no man had ever known (12). The period between 3000- 550 BC saw great scientific revolutions in Mesopotamia that led to the invention of exponents and roots in mathematics. Surprisingly, 4000 years later, no such discoveries draw been made, discoveries so simple that no man has been able to improve on.With this break finished in mathematics and geometry, Sumerians could now employ this bran-new concept in their various architectural designs. For instance, it was after the introduction of architectural concepts of arch, dome, and domed ceilings used in designing dwellings in Mesopotamia. Consequently, more people could fit into little space beca use of the new and effective designs of the dwellings. On the same note, it is paramount to note that it was in Mesopotamia that the numbers we now see in math were first coined. Mesopotamians devised the numbering, which they used in astronomy and keeping their calendar. With their newly set up mathematical concept, they were able to base their calendar on the on the 12 lunar months.Duker and Spielvogel further use the elaborate traffic system in Mesopotamia to illustrate how civilized it was (7). History suggests that Mesopotamia had the most civilized handicraft system with its trading routes running from Egypt to India. Initially, most nations of Mesopotamias age had trades that only operated at bottom villagers. However, in Mesopotamia, trade extended beyond its borders through which Mesopotamia obtained most of its commodities through vocation trade.Thus, it is through these far-reaching trade routes that one freighter confidently argue that the ancient culture of Mesop otamia had an immense deal of civilization. At the diagnose of Mesopotamia and civilization, one never fails to note the earliest forms of education systems that existed during this period. In Mesopotamia, Sumerians had devised a way of educating the young members of the society how to read and write Algaze 8). However, this never came to be until the art of writing was discovered.The Sumerians came up with what they referred to as writing schools that provided avenues through which early scholars learned creative writing (Algaze 6). These centers formed vibrant systems of assimilator. It was in the apprentice schools that craftsmen and artists trained on the job. They offered training on woodwork, metal work among other forms of art. done this early system of education, other skills such as brewing and baking were taught. On the other hand, Sumerian schools provided graduates who later served as scribes in palaces, temples, and other affluent dwellings. Others proceeded to ex ecute instructors in other learning centers. Finally, it is necessary to look at how Mesopotamia displayed civilization via the champaign of medicine. It is evident that Mesopotamia was at the heart of the invention of practical medicine.Archaeologists have stumbled on pharmaceutical tablets that are said to have vulcanized wounds, venereal diseases among other ailments of the ancient times. whist other places are said to have resorted to dancing to drive away headaches Mesopotamians had made a breakthrough in the field of medicine and were actually treating headache (Algaze 5). This only serves to demonstrate how the ancient culture of Mesopotamia was civilized. Therefore, in view of the compelling evidence of civilization, it suffices to say that the ancient culture of Mesopotamia was civilized.It is obvious to draw a conclusion that owing to Mesopotamias highly structured and elaborate leadership system, trade routes, technological advancements, educational systems, and well established religious system the culture of Mesopotamia is an ideal example of civilization of the ancient times. It is evident that, most of the technologies available today have a history with Mesopotamia. From carts with wheels to mathematical functions, symbols of Mesopotamias culture are evident. Thus, victimisation Duker and Spielvogels elements as a yard measure against which to measure civilization, it is evident that Mesopotamias ancient culture did exhibit most of the elements therefore, deserves to be called a civilization.Works CitedAlgaze, Guillermo. Ancient Mesopotamia at the Dawn of Civilization The Evolution of an urban Landscape. Chicago University of Chicago Press. 2008 Print. Duker, William & Spielvogel, Jackson. The internal World History. 6th edition, Wadsworth Publishing 2011. Print.