Ancient Mesopotamia: Life in the Cradle of Civilization
Stars
4
Length
24 lectures
Author
Amanda H. Podany; The Great Courses;
Eras
Era of First Civilizations (5000-1500 BC)
Types
Lecture Course
Synopsis
"In this course, we’ll explore the Mesopotamian world from the era of the
first settlements more than 12,000 years ago to the earliest cities in the 4th
millennium BCE. We’ll end up in the 6th century BCE, when Mesopotamia
was conquered by the Persian Empire during the reign of Cyrus the Great.
At that point, the people were no longer ruled by a government within
their own land.
This course will look at religion—which pervaded everyone’s understanding
of the universe—and at kingship, society, agriculture, trade, justice, literature,
art, warfare, daily life, and more. We’ll encounter some extraordinary
people: kings like Sargon, who created the world’s first empire; Ur-Namma,
who developed the first written laws; and Tushratta, who maintained an
affectionate correspondence with the pharaohs of Egypt." [Guidebook]
first settlements more than 12,000 years ago to the earliest cities in the 4th
millennium BCE. We’ll end up in the 6th century BCE, when Mesopotamia
was conquered by the Persian Empire during the reign of Cyrus the Great.
At that point, the people were no longer ruled by a government within
their own land.
This course will look at religion—which pervaded everyone’s understanding
of the universe—and at kingship, society, agriculture, trade, justice, literature,
art, warfare, daily life, and more. We’ll encounter some extraordinary
people: kings like Sargon, who created the world’s first empire; Ur-Namma,
who developed the first written laws; and Tushratta, who maintained an
affectionate correspondence with the pharaohs of Egypt." [Guidebook]
RefTags
Released
2014
Location
Middle East
Setting