City-States

Code: 042

GREAT CITIES OF MESOPOTAMIA

URUK

Uruk was one of the first major cities in the history of the world. It had an estimated population of nearly 80,000 people

 at its peak around 2900 BC, making it the largest city in the world. Uruk was located along the banks of the Euphrates River in southern Mesopotamia. The city was able to grow so large due to its advanced farming and irrigation techniques. Their abundance of food made the city rich. The most famous king of Uruk was Gilgamesh.  He became a mythical hero through the tales of his exploits and superhuman strength in the Epic of Gilgamesh. 

AKKAD

Akkad was the center of the world’s first empire, the Akkadian Empire, led by Sargon the Great. The people of Akkad conquered many of the Sumerian city-states and took control of Mesopotamia. The Sumerian language was replaced by the Akkadian language and continued to be the primary language of the region into the Babylonian and Assyrian Empires. Archaeologists have not been able to locate the city Akkad, but it was likely located in southern Mesopotamia, east of the Tigris River.

ASSUR

Assur became the first capital city of the Assyrian Empire located in northern Mesopotamia on the western bank of the Tigris River. Other cities later took over as the capital of the Assyrian Empire, but Assur was always recognized as the religious center of the empire. The city was named after the primary god of the Assyrians. Both the city and the god are sometimes called Ashur.

BABYLON

 Babylon was the center and capital city of the Babylonian Empire. It was located in central Mesopotamia along the banks of the Euphrates River. Babylon was the largest city in the world at its peak with populations exceeding 200,000 people. The kings Hammurabi and Nebuchadnezzar lived in Babylon. The city was also home to the fabled Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Today the ruins of Babylon can be found around 50 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq. The city is mentioned several times in the Bible.

NIMRUD

Nimrud became the capital city of the Assyrian Empire in the 13th Century BC, but the city later fell into ruins. The great King Ashurnasirpal II rebuilt the city and made it the Assyrian capital again in 880 BC. The city was the home to some of the most magnificent palaces built in ancient history. The palace of Shalmaneser III covered over 12 acres and had more than 200 rooms.

NINEVEH

Nineveh was the greatest city of the Assyrian Empire. At its height, Nineveh became the largest city in the world. It was 

largely built under the rule of King Sennacherib around 700 BC. Nineveh was surrounded by walls that enclosed an area of seven square kilometers and had 15 gates. There were a total of 18 canals in the city to distribute water throughout the city. Nineveh was the home of King Ashurbanipal, the last great king of the Assyrian Empire. A library was built in Nineveh that housed over 20,000 clay tablets. The majority of what we know about Mesopotamia came from these tablets. The Bible story of Jonah and the Whale features Nineveh. God tells Jonah to travel to Nineveh, but Jonah refuses and tries to run from God, but is swallowed by a great fish and spit out on the shore. Jonah then traveled to Nineveh in obedience to God.

PERSEPOLIS

Persepolis, Greek for “Persian city,” was the capital of the Persian Empire located in southeast Iran. It was originally built by Cyrus the Great around 515 BC. Kings Darius I and Xerxes completed the palace and buildings. Much of the city is being reconstructed by archeologists. Some of the major structures of the city include: the Gate of Nations, the Throne Hall, and the Apadana Palace.