History Extra podcast Ancient Mesopotamia: everything you wanted to know
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Jan 19, 2025 Moudhy Al-Rashid, author of "Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History," dives into the vibrant tapestry of ancient Mesopotamia. He unveils the impressive advancements in writing and mathematics while sharing fascinating insights about the Sumerians and Babylonians. Al-Rashid examines the intriguing origins of kingship and the famous flood myth, drawing parallels with biblical stories. Listeners also learn about the cultural significance of daily life, their pantheon of gods, and the enduring impact of this cradle of civilization.
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Mesopotamia: A Region, Not a Civilization
- Ancient Mesopotamia wasn't a single civilization, but a region.
- It housed many cultures like Sumerians, Babylonians, and Persians over millennia.
Cuneiform Tablets: A Window into the Past
- Cuneiform, a writing system on clay tablets, is a key source for understanding ancient Mesopotamia.
- These durable tablets survived even library fires, preserving records of daily life.
Cuneiform: The Earliest Known Writing System
- Cuneiform, the earliest known writing system, emerged in Mesopotamia around 3350 BCE.
- It was developed to manage agricultural records, evolving into a full writing system.
