Viniegra, Caren Q.

HST101
P-HST101 June 10, 2015

MESOPOTAMIA
Civilization Contributions
1. Sumerians Cuneiform. Cuneiform is the earliest form
of writing. Cuneiform is made up of a series
of wedges and lines carved into wet clay with
a stylus. The cuneiform script was copied by
the Assyrians, Persians, and
Babylonians. Cuneiform recorded
commercial transactions as well as history.

Irrigation. The Sumerians used irrigation

for agricultural growth. Situated between
two rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, they
were able to harness enough water during the
hot drought seasons to survive year
round. One of the unfortunate environmental
consequences was seasonal flooding, so the
Sumerians also developed water transport
systems to bypass the northern flood waters.

City-states. The Sumerians didn't exist in

one settlement; they formed dozens of city-
states that served as urban centers. The city-
states often went to war against one another.

Monumental architecture. The Sumerians

used mud-dried bricks to create architecture
that was used for religious and political
purposes. The ziggurat was a Sumerian
pyramid used for religious purposes; unlike
the Egyptian pyramids, ziggurats look more
like stacked boxes (similar to the Mayan and
Aztec pyramids).

Number system based on 10, 60, and

360. We still use this system today- 60
minutes in an hour, a circle has 360 degrees,
etc.
 Calendar. 12-month calendar based on the
cycles of the moon

Invention of wheeled-carts (proto-chariots)

2. Akkadians Akkadian language. The primary language

of trade and cultural exchange of the times.

Abacus. It is believed that the abacus was

refined by the Babylonians, who came after
the Akkadians, and was introduced to China
by the Silk Route traders. The Chinese
further modified the abacus and used it as the
primary tool for calculation.

3. Babylonians Basis of Law-making. The famous Code of

Hammurabi is composed of 282 written laws
regarding agriculture, industry, marriage,
properties, governance and others. This also
became the basis of many laws enacted
during pre-modern and modern times

Jewelry-making originated from the

Babylonians. They used metal and precious
gems in making jewelries.

Sales Contract. The Babylonians introduced

to the world the use of sales contract and the
used of seal in a contract.

Literature. The epics Gilgamesh and Enuna

Elish were important literary pieces that
helped improved literature.

4. Assyrian Library. Despite their notorious

characteristics, the Assyrians built the first
ever library in history. This library had
200,000 clay tablets. The library was located
in the empires capital.
 Government system. They were the first
group of people who developed a strong and
effective system of governing an empire.

Systematic planning of roads. They

constructed beautiful and orderly roads and
highways.

Postal service. The Assyrians introduced to

the world the first and effective postal
service.

5. Persian Insurance. Insurance by Government was

started during Cyrus the Great of Persia.

Standardization of measurements. Weight,

Money and Measurements were standardized
in Persia, for the first time, some 2, 500 years
ago

Sanskrit, which is the mother of all modern

languages, was born in Iran, before it went to
India

Human Rights Charter. King Darius of

Persia wrote the first Human Rights Charter,
some 2,500 years ago. It is still engraved in
the Alvand Mountain (Ganj-Nameh), near
the ancient Persian Capital of Hagmataneh
(Present City of Hamadan).
It was this concept of Human Rights,
freedom of religion and the equality of all
races that lead to the freedom of the Jews,
from the captivity of Babylon, by Cyrus the
Great of Persia (539 B.C.).

Silk Road. The first World Super-Highway,

that connected the East and the West, was the
Silk Road. It joined China to Europe; and its
main part was Central Asia (Ancient Persia)
with its many Caravans, Caravansarais,
Bazaars, etc. etc.

Ships. The first time that the ships were used

as bridge to cross the river, was done by
King Darius, who crossed the Nile and
conquered Egypt.

Federal system of Government. The first

system of federal government was started in
the Persian Empire.

Tax System, Customs, Records, Legal

Code. Darius the Great of Persia established
the First Tax System, Customs Duties,
Official Records and The Legal Code, in the
world level.