Mésopotamie
Mésopotamie is a
historical area of the Middle East. It extends between two rivers, the
Tiger and Euphrate —it is besides from
there that the area draws its name, which means "between two rivers"
in Greek.
Mésopotamie corresponds overall to Iraq,
and part of Syria and Iran current. Several significant civilizations of
Antiquity lived there.
CIVILIZATION SUMÉRIENNE
Sumériens live in the
south of Mésopotamie to the IV E
thousand-year-old before our era. Towards 3300 before J-C, they
invent the first written form: the wedge-shaped writing. This discovery is
a revolutionist in the evolution of the man; it marks the
passage of prehistory to the history.
Civilization sumérienne is very
technically advanced: invention and use of
the wheel, the irrigation, the
potter's wheel, the plough and mathematics.
It is as within civilization sumérienne as the
first cities appeared, with imposing
architecture. Each city is controlled by a king who would hold his capacity of
the gods. Most known are those of Kish, Lagash, Uruk and Ur. One of the most
famous sovereigns of this period is legendary Gilgamesh, king d' Uruk to the
xxvii E century before J-C.
Each city seeking to dominate the others,
Sumériens are made the war perpetually. Towards 2370 before J-C, a king manages
to dominate the other cities and constitutes the first kingdom
of Sumer.
The KINGDOM OF SUMER AND AKKAD
At the same period, more in north in Mésopotamie, people live which adopted the written
form of Sumériens. For a long time, the technical richnesses of Sumériens
attract their covetousness. And towards 2325 before J-C, king Sargon
the Old one seizes Sumer. After
having founded its capital (Akkad), it unifies Mésopotamie and creates the kingdom of Sumer and Akkad.
The kingdom declines however, after having fallen to the hands from wandering
people.
Two centuries later, king d' Ur creates
the prestigious kingdom of Ur. It is at this period that the ziggourat of Ur is built (a pyramidal tower with several
degrees). But towards 2004 before J-C, the kingdom of Ur breaks down in its
turn under the blow of invasions of Élamites. To the xx E
century before our era, Mésopotamie becomes again a multitude of small
rival States which are made the war perpetually.
the door of Ishtar in Babylon
Controlled by king Hammourabi, the city of Babylon benefits from these ceaseless wars.
After having overcome the other kings, Hammourabi becomes the sovereign of the kingdom
of Babylon into 1760 before J-C
Babylon, the capital of Mésopotamie reunified, is more in north than the old
cities sumériennes. Powerful monarch, Hammourabi makes thrive his kingdom; in
particular, he is the author of the first code of laws of the history: the code of Hammourabi.
Under the successors of Hammourabi, the
invasions begin again; this time, they are Kassites which penetrates in
Mésopotamie. In the medium of the xvi E century before our
era, they seize Babylonia and restore the power with their profit of it. The
dynasty kassite reign on Babylonia during 400 years. The kings of this
civilization thrives are regarded as equal Pharaons of Egypt.
sumptuous court of Assyrie
To the
xvi E century before J-C,
the north of Mésopotamie is with the hands of Assyriens. The principal
towns of Assyrie are Assur and Ninive. To
the xiii E century
before J-C, under the pressure of migratory movements, Assyriens develop a genuine
machine of war. The raids then then the conquest of the close territories, in
particular Babylonia begin.
Two centuries later, a new dynasty
controls the kingdom of Assyrie: one defines it as the dynasty
néo-assyrienne. Sargon II, whose reign extends from 721 to 705 before J-C, allows
the Empire néo-assyrien its greater expansion. The empire is then very vast, in
particular including Egypt, placed under protectorate. Sargon II controls from
the city of Hard Sharrukin (today Khorsabad, in Iraq). Its successors,
Sennachérib then Assurbanipal, choose Ninive like capital.
THE SECOND KINGDOM OF BABYLON
To the
vii E century before J-C, Babyloniens take again the top on
Assyriens and supplant them. They melt a new kingdom in Mésopotamie, which one
calls the kingdom néo-babylonien. The city of
Babylon, devastated at the
time assyrienne, is rebuilt and equipped with an imposing architecture: hanging
gardens of the palate of Nabuchodonosor II (one of the Seven wonders of the world), large
ziggourat high of seven stages (probably at the origin of the myth of the tower
of Babel), etc. The dynasty néo-babylonienne lasts approximately one century.
In 539 before J-C, the kingdom
néo-babylonien is subjected by the king perse Cyrus the Large one. All
Mésopotamie from now on is integrated into the
Empire perse.
TO GO FURTHER
? the old Middle East
? Hebrews
? old Egypt
? characters: Cyrus the Large one –Nabuchodonosor II
? interactivity: chronology of Antiquity
? the old Middle East
? Hebrews
? old Egypt
? characters: Cyrus the Large one –Nabuchodonosor II
? interactivity: chronology of Antiquity
