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The Sumerians settled in the South of Mesopotamia. They created what it is considered the first civilisation in history and they were the first to adopt a revolutionary invention: writing. Around 2350 BCbthe King of Umma governed a confederation of 50 cities.
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Sargón I, King of Akkad, conquered Sumer and founded the first empire in history, which lasted just under a century.
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Sumerians ruled again. The cities of Lagash and Ur are notable.
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Nomadic tribes from the east invaded Mesopotamia and took control of several cities. One of these, Babylon, gained power over the others and its king, Hammurabi, imposed his rule over the whole region.
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The Assyrians, who inhabited the north of Mesopotamia, conquered Babylon and also created an empire. Their most important cities were Ashur and Nineveh, where large palaces were built. They were a warrior society who used weapons made of iron, which were superior to the bronze ones used by their neighbours. they also had calvary and war chariots. One of their kings, Ashurbanipal, invaded Egypt. The Assyrian empire disappeared after a rebellion led by the Babylonians and the Medes.
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After the fall of the Assyrians, Babylon recovered its splendour. Its king, Nebuchadnezzar, expanded its empire by conquering Jerusalem. During his reign, the Great Ziggurat of Ur was completely restored, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon and the Ishtar Gate was also built in the city walls.
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Babylon was conquered by Cyrus II and it became part of the Persian Empire.
