Section 2.1 Mesopotamia

Please read the entirety of the website "Ancient Western Asia and the Civilization of Mesopotamia" in order to get a sense of Mesopotamia—before civilization as well as at the height of Sumer and the Babylonian Empire.

Ancient Western Asia and the Civilization of Mesopotamia Links to an external site.

Please read the text in its entirety, but focus on the portion entitled, “Mesopotamia, Proper,” which offers a brief overview of Ancient Mesopotamian History.

The Near East: 3000 to 1500 B.C. Links to an external site.

Please read the entirety of this lecture for a sense of the origin and prominent features of Mesopotamian culture.

General Characteristics of Mesopotamian Civilization Links to an external site.

Please listen to the entire recording (3 minutes, 25 seconds) to augment the reading listed below.

The Epic of Gilgamesh, Standard Version, Part of Tablet XI Links to an external site.

Please read the entirety of the text, paying close attention to the roles of individual characters—such as Enkidu—and the unique syntax of the epic.

The Epic of Gilgamesh Links to an external site.

Please complete the questions in the assessment (PDF). You can check your answers against the “Guide to Responding” (PDF).

Study Questions for the Epic of Gilgamesh Download Study Questions for the Epic of Gilgamesh

Guide to Responding Download Guide to Responding

Please read the entire PDF for a good overview of the rise and fall of ancient Babylon.

Babylonian Empire Download Babylonian Empire

Please read the entirety of the Code to understand the importance of the rule of law in ancient Babylonia. Please also scan the “commentary” to get a sense of the historical context of the Code.

Code of Hammurabi, c. 1780 B.C.E. Links to an external site.

Questions will open up in a new tab or window. Answers will open in the same new tab or window, with a link back to the Questions.

Please close the new tab/window when you are finished with it.

Question & Answer