Iraq 1500 BCE

What is happening in Iraq in 1500BCE

Over the past thousand years, kingdoms and empires have come and gone in Mesopotamia. The first recorded empire in world history appeared briefly under the fierce Sargon and his descendants (c. 2334 to 2218 BCE), and the powerful states of Ur (2112 to 2004 BCE) followed.

The civilization of Ancient Mesopotamia entered a new phase with the reign of Hammurabi, king of Babylon (1792-49E). He conquered a large empire covering most of Mesopotamia and parts of Syria. He is also famous as history’s first great law-giver. Although his empire did not endure after his death, the city of Babylon remained the primary city of ancient Mesopotamia, with the Sumerian cities being eclipsed.

The history of Mesopotamian has been disrupted by periods of outside invasion and internal fragmentation. Despite these upheavals, however, styles of art, architecture and literature derived from the old Sumerian cities have retain a powerful grip on the region’s culture.

By 1500 BCE new invaders divide the ancient lands of Mesopotamia between them. The Kassites rule Babylonia in the south, while Assyria is now part of the extensive (but short-lived) kingdom of the Mitanni. The powerful and warlike kingdom of Elam lies to the east. Despite the recent origins of these powerful states, this period represents the high point of Bronze Age civilization in Mesopotamia. The next few centuries will see great upheavals hit this brilliant world.

Next map, Ancient Mesopotamia 1000 BCE