![Sites associated with ancient Mesopotamian history.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]](http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/50/2550-003-335512A5.gif)
history of the region in southwestern Asia where the world’s earliest civilization developed. The name comes from a Greek word meaning “between rivers,” referring to the land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, but the region can be broadly defined to include the area that is now eastern Syria, southeastern Turkey, and most of Iraq. The region was the centre of a culture whose influence extended throughout the Middle East and as far as the Indus valley, Egypt, and the Mediterranean. This article covers the history of Mesopotamia from the prehistoric period up to the Arab conquest in the 7th century ad. For the history of the region in the succeeding periods, see the article Iraq, history of.
For a discussion of the religions of ancient Mesopotamia, see the article Mesopotamian religion. See also art and architecture, Mesopotamian.
Sites-associated-with-ancient-Mesopotamian-historySites associated with ancient Mesopotamian history.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
The-Assyrian-empire-858-627-BCThe Assyrian empire, 858–627 bc.[Credits : From W. Sheperd, History Atlas; Harper & Row, Publishers (Barnes & Noble Books), New York revision copyright 1964 by Barnes & Noble, Inc.]
Winged-bull-with-a-human-head-guardian-figure-from-theWinged bull with a human head, guardian figure from the gate of the palace at Dur Sharrukin, near …[Credits : Cliché Musées Nationaux, Paris]
Mesopotamia-in-Seleucid-Parthian-timesMesopotamia in Seleucid-Parthian times.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
Some-ancient-symbols-for-1-and-10Some ancient symbols for 1 and 10.[Credits : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.]
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