Ancient Civilizations

Did you know that Iraq is sometimes called the "Cradle of Civilization"? Here's Why: Click Here (required)

Yes, archeologists believe that the first "civilizations" (places where people settled down and coordinated their agriculture in order to survive) sprang up in the fertile valleys of the Nile, Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

Mesopotamia which literally means "land between two rivers" and Egypt were made up of city-states that had their own governments, laws and religions. Archeologists are not 100% sure which of these civilization sprang up first (Egypt or Mesopotamia), but there is evidence that these civilizations co-existed. There was a certain amount of trade and communication between these people. Ideas came about in these hearth regions and were carried (by word of mouth) to other areas of the world.

Economic trade was rarely pure business. Whenever travellers came long distances across the desert, they made themselves comfortable for awhile at their destination. To pass the time, they would socialize with the local people and other traders in the area. In doing this, they would learn about the local culture and the local ideas. Once the traveller or trader went back home, he took those ideas and practices with him to share with his friends and family back home. This was how new ideas spread outward from the Middle East (before TV and mass-media).

Learn more about these civilizations below:

Mesopotamia Timeline (optional)

egyptology.com (optional)