In this episode of History 102, join WhatIfAltHists creator Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg as they explore the intricate history of Mesopotamia. This episode dives into the origins, advancements, and eventual decline of one of the world's earliest civilizations, covering everything from early agriculture to the prominent empires and their societal structures.
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TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Introduction and Setting
(03:53) The Fertile Crescent and Three Cultural Designations
(07:10) The Formation of City-States in Mesopotamia
(09:58) The Impact of Climate Change on Mesopotamia
(10:55) The Role of Warfare in Mesopotamian Society
(12:24) The Rise of the Priest Class and Theocracy
(13:48) City-States and Government in Mesopotamia
(15:05) The Development of Writing and Law Codes
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(17:26) Religion and Idol Worship in Mesopotamia
(21:06) The Influence of Mesopotamian Civilization on the Bible
(22:31) The Decline of Mesopotamian Civilization
(23:57) Sumeria: The First Civilization
(25:22) The Rise of Akkad and the First Empire
(27:19) The Legacy of Mesopotamian Civilization
(28:45) The Rise and Fall of Mesopotamian Empires
(32:01) The Transition to Imperial Rule
(34:22) The Evolution of Babylon
(40:01) The Brutal Conquests of the Assyrians
(42:23) The Impact of the Bronze Age Collapse
(54:15) The Conquest of Mesopotamia by the Persians
BOOKS MENTIONED:
Against the Grain: A Deep History of the Earliest States by James C. Scott
The Story of Civilization by Will Durant
Assyria: The Rise and Fall of an Ancient Superpower by Eckhart Frahm
Scribes and Kings: The Lost History of the Ancient Near East by Marc Van De Mieroop
The Guide to the Bible by Isaac Asimov
