mésopotamiens

Mesopotamians were the inhabitants of Mesopotamia, a historical region in Western Asia situated within the Tigris–Euphrates river system, in the northern part of the Fertile Crescent. This civilization flourished for millennia, beginning around the 4th millennium BCE with the Sumerians, followed by the Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians, among others. Their impact on human history is profound, laying foundations for many aspects of modern life.

The Mesopotamians developed some of the earliest known forms of writing, cuneiform script, which was used for administrative, literary, and religious purposes. They made significant advancements in mathematics, including the development of a base-60 number system that influences our measurement of time and angles. Astronomy also played a crucial role, with detailed observations of celestial bodies leading to early calendars and predictions of astronomical events.

Agriculture was central to Mesopotamian society, enabled by sophisticated irrigation systems that transformed the arid landscape into fertile land. This agricultural surplus supported the growth of cities, which became centers of trade, culture, and governance. They were pioneers in urban planning, constructing monumental architecture such as ziggurats, temples, and palaces. Their legal systems, exemplified by the Code of Hammurabi, were among the earliest codified laws, demonstrating a complex understanding of justice and social order. Religion was polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses influencing daily life and the natural world. The complex tapestry of Mesopotamian civilization shaped the course of Western and Middle Eastern history, leaving a legacy of innovation and cultural achievement.