When we speak about the Cradle of Civilization, the name of Mesopotamia comes first to our mind. Mesopotamia which is the present day Iraq, situated between the rivers Tigris and Euphrates was the epicentre of human civilization. This is where complex urban centres first flourished around 4000-3500 BCE. Hence, it is appropriately called the cradle of civilization.
What is the meaning of Mesopotamia?
Mesopotamia means the land between rivers, it is derived from the Greek word "mesos" meaning middle and "potamos" meaning river. This term was used by Greeks and Romans to describe this fertile region, which was surrounded by two rivers, i.e., the Tigris and the Euphrates.
Why Is Mesopotamia Called the Cradle of Civilization?
A cradle is a small bed on which a baby rests safely and grows up with time. Just as a baby was nourished in a cradle, similarly human society grew up in this particular region.
Many thousands of years ago man and woman stopped wandering and settled down. They found perfect farming land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Because the soil was so rich they easily grew extra food.
A steady supply of food enabled them to make permanent homes. So soon, these little farming villages were the first cities in the world. This major alteration in the way how mankind lived and made communities, earned Mesopotamia or the present day Iraq, the epithet "Cradle of Civilization."
Image Credit: Mojtaba Hamid
Important Geographical Facts about Iraq
Located between two rivers Tigris and Euphrates, Iraq was the place where the human settlements were found first. The beginning environment was ideal for the early growth of humans. The rivers supplied fresh water in a hot climate enabling farmers to invent the concept of early irrigation. Digging long canals, they worked for the land farmed year round.
Historical Importance of Iraq
The historical importance of this country is humongous. The ancient people who inhabited this area like the Sumerians and Babylonians influenced our modern cultural identity.
The ancient lands of Iraq are known for its several important inventions. They invented the first-known form of writing, cuneiform writing, which was made on wet clay tablets to keep track of trade and write laws.
They are well-known as the inventors of the wheel which totally changed the way people travel. They also invented the first written code of laws that helped run early governments smoothly and fairly.
Did You Know
Even though the Mesopotamian civilization has vanished long back nevertheless their legacy still stands today.
Here is a surprising fact you may not know, an hour has 60 minutes and the minute has 60 seconds but have you ever wondered why?
Well, the ancient Sumerian and Babylonians developed the sexagesimal number system mainly because 60 is a number which can be easily divided by numbers like 1,2,3,4,5,6,10,12,15,20,30 thus making it ideal for dividing time and calculating fractions.
This practice is still followed and hence an hour has 60 minutes and a minute has 60 seconds.
Also Read: Which is the Largest ‘Lost Civilisation’ in History?
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