Dania Sestan

World History/Civiliz I Section 02G Summer 2016

Instructor : Dr. Michael Kirkland

Geography and the Birth of a Civilization

Geography has always played a critical role in the development of civilizations, and
Mesopotamia serves as a prime example of this fact. Even the name Mesopotamia a
Greek word describing the land between two major rivers is indicative of the strong
connections between the geography of that region and the society that emerged from
within it. The civilization arose from the valley uniting the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
and its evolution greatly depended on these rivers, seeing as they provided a steady
source of water among other key resources. Agricultural developments were driven by
the need for irrigation and drainage. A dependable source of water and land suitable for
growing crops encouraged long-term settlement in the region. Building materials that
were not readily available had to be imported, and consequently, the geography of the
region impacted advancements in trade. As Mesopotamia began to grow and expand,
so did the perspectives and customs of the people. Their progress in becoming a more
structured society was reflected in their need to define the root of their stability through
religion and government. Mesopotamian society is considered the cradle of civilization,
and factors leading this can be attributed, directly and indirectly, to its development in a
region known as the Fertile Crescent (Leick).
The most important geographical features of all major early civilizations were the
river valleys from which they emerged (Leick). River valleys are often known for their

rich soil, and the Fertile Crescent was no different. The flat topography of the land
bordering the rivers made it ideal for farming. The soil was rich in nutrients due to the
silt that deposited when rivers flooded over. This, in turn, drove innovations in
agriculture, as farmers had to develop effective ways of controlling the flow of water to
their crops. Mesopotamian society made significant advancements in irrigation, evident
by the complex system of canals, ditches, basins, and water gates. Crops, livestock,
birds, or fish, were readily available and the surplus of food sources encouraged longterm settlement, leading to a growth in population. The cluster of villages along the river
valley eventually formed the first civilization. Riverbanks also provided building
materials, such as clay and reeds, which were suitable for building housing and other
structures. Mud bricks, however, were insufficient for constructing shrines, temples, and
city centers that required more durable and ornate building materials. Stone and metals
had to be imported, along with other goods that were in demand with a growing and
increasingly prosperous society. Located along two major rivers that allowed for easy
transportation and communication between distant regions along the banks,
Mesopotamia was ideally suited for trade, enabling the economy to flourish.
The ability to import a large variety of goods, as well as the food surplus, allowed
the people of Mesopotamia to diversify their abilities. Food sources were not a concern,
and consequently certain people were able to abandon farming, diverting their attention
instead towards other pursuits, such as artisan crafts, the study of mathematics and
architecture or spirituality. Labor was further diversified by the need for defense against
invading neighbors and devastating flood waters. Although the geography of this region
provided numerous advantages, it also posed significant drawbacks for the population.

The Zagros Mountains provided little protection from outsiders, and communication was
limited for city states not located directly along the river banks. Although city-states had
much in common, they fought for control of the river water, a valuable resource
(Giotto). Efforts to unify city states of ancient Mesopotamia were often met by fierce
resistance. Other Sumerian cities, regardless of their wealth and power, were often
prone to invasion. One such example, is the city of Nippur, which was conquered
eighteen times within a twenty-four year period ("Nippur - Sacred City Of Enlil"). A single
ruler was appointed during times of war and as the peace intervals shortened this lugal
or leader stayed in power longer, and inevitably his military authority extended to all
phases of government (Fisher). These city states were eventually unified, but only after
enduring many years of constant turmoil and conflict. Nature itself proved to be a
destructive force for the ancient Mesopotamians, who lived in constant fear of the floods
that were able to destroy crops, homes, livestock, and even entire populations. The
worlds oldest recorded epic has its origins in Mesopotamia, and it comes as no surprise
that central to the plot is a major flood, ordered by gods who intended to destroy the
world. As the population grew, the need for a source of order, whether it be through
rulers or the divine, became more prevalent.
The vulnerabilities of Mesopotamian society influenced their political and
religious views. The enforcement of a severe moral and civic code, as well as the
worship of harsh and often merciless gods, served as a reflection of the harsh realities
faced by these people. The main gods revered by ancient Mesopotamians were deities
representing elements of nature. Human relationships with the gods were based on
subservience since, according to Sumerian myth, human beings were created to do the

manual labor the gods were unwilling to do for themselves. Moreover, humans were
insecure because they could never predict the gods actions. (Duiker, p. 14) Religious
views also played a role in political matters. People often viewed the king as a divinely
appointed ruler and much like the higher spiritual deities they worshipped, his rule could
be harsh. A sense of stability was hard to come by for a people who faced ever
prevalent threats of natural disaster and invading societies. One king in particular,
Hammurabi, felt that structure and moral conduct had to be strictly enforced in a society
that faced many vulnerabilities; As a result, he developed what is now referred to as the
Code of Hammurabi.
Overall, Mesopotamian culture was vibrant and complex for its time, and its
influence can be seen in other societies long after it ceased to exist. Over the course of
history, river valleys have proven to be ideally suited for the birth of a civilization. The
Fertile Crescent provided the resources necessary for Neolithic peoples to evolve
agriculturally and develop sophisticated urban societies. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers
were the source of life for this civilization. Nature had a profound impact, both directly
and indirectly, in the trade, politics, and religion of its people. Mesopotamia is a perfect
example of the strong correlations between a regions geography and societal
advancement.
Works Cited

Duiker, William J., and Jackson J. Spielvogel. World History, Volume I: To 1800, 7th
Edition. Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2012. Print.
Fisher, Anita. "Ancient Mesopotamia." Clark College (n.d.): n. pag. Web.

<http://web.clark.edu/afisher/HIST&126/Full%20Notes/HIST126-M02-LectureAncientMesopotamia.pdf>.
Giotto, J. "Ancient Mesopotamia - The Sumerians." Ancient Mesopotamia. Penfield
Central School District, n.d. Web.
<http://www.penfield.edu/webpages/jgiotto/onlinetextbook.cfm?
subpage=1525827>.
Leick, Gwendolyn. Mesopotamia: The Invention of the City. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Google
Books. Penguin Books. Web. 29 Aug. 2002.
<https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0141927119>.
"Nippur - Sacred City Of Enlil." The Nippur Expedition. The Oriental Institute of The
University of Chicago, 2014. Web.
<https://oi.uchicago.edu/research/projects/nippur-sacred-city-enlil-0>.