The Rise and Fall of Sumer | The Cradle of Civilization

The video provides a detailed historical account of ancient Mesopotamian civilizations, focusing on the rise and fall of Sumer, Akkad, and Babylon, and highlighting significant events, figures, and cultural contributions that shaped early human history. It begins with King Ibbi-Sin of Ur during the third dynasty, who ruled over Sumer and Akkad. Despite his power, Ibbi-Sin was betrayed by his general, Ishbi-Erra, leading to a division in Sumer and Akkad. Around 2000 BCE, the Elamites invaded Ur, capturing Ibbi-Sin. Soon after, the Amorites expelled the Elamites and established the Babylonian Empire. The video emphasizes the influence of Mesopotamian civilization on modern society, with its beliefs, social habits, conflicts, and divine relationships continuing to resonate today. The early civilization of Sumer was marked by warfare among city-states like Erech and Ur, laying the groundwork for the region's cultural and political landscape. Kish emerged as a dominant city under King Etana, while Erech, led by rulers like Meskiaggasher and Gilgamesh, became a formidable competitor. Gilgamesh's exploits were immortalized in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Lugalannemundu of Adab unified several city-states, but Lagash rose to prominence under Eannatum, who expanded its influence through military conquests and diplomatic strategies, including the world's earliest recorded peace treaty, the Stele of the Vultures. Urukagina of Lagash is notable for social reforms, including measures against bureaucratic oppression and the earliest recorded mention of individual liberty. Sargon the Great established a vast empire uniting Sumer and northern Mesopotamia, setting a precedent for future empires. His successors expanded the empire before its decline due to Gutian invasions. Ur-Nammu of Ur initiated a renaissance in Sumer, marked by significant contributions to construction and law, predating the Code of Hammurabi and Moses' laws. Under Ur-Nammu and his successors, Sumer regained much of its former glory until renewed assaults from the Elamites and Amorites led to Sumer's final decline. Mesopotamians influenced neighboring civilizations like Iran, India, and Egypt through trade, legal systems, religious practices, and writing. Mesopotamia's profound impact on Western civilization is highlighted, particularly through the Hebrews and Greeks. Mesopotamia's contributions to Western civilization include the development of written laws, such as the code of Ur-Nammu and Hammurabi, influencing subsequent legal traditions. The Mesopotamian narrative of creation, the flood, and divinely sanctioned kingship deeply influenced Judeo-Christian traditions and Greek mythology. Literary works like the Epic of Gilgamesh influenced Hebrew scriptures and Greek epics, while the cuneiform writing system laid the foundation for recorded history and education. Inventions like the wheeled vehicle, the seeder-plow, and advancements in astronomy and mathematics (sexagesimal system) shaped the ancient and modern world's technological and scientific landscape. Mesopotamian religious beliefs centered around a pantheon of gods embodying various aspects of the natural and cosmic order. Temples and ziggurats served as religious and administrative centers, integrating spiritual and secular life. The idea of a personal deity and the moral and ethical teachings in Mesopotamian myths and hymns continue to resonate in modern religious and philosophical thought. The video details Mesopotamia's architectural and cultural achievements, describing the construction of temples, ziggurats, and palaces symbolizing religious devotion and administrative sophistication. Notable structures like the Tower of Babel and the ziggurat of Ur highlight advanced architectural techniques and the significant role of religion in Mesopotamian society. The narrative delves into the region's political dynamics, emphasizing kingship and the transition from democratic assemblies to hereditary monarchies. Mesopotamian kings were responsible for military leadership, infrastructure development, and justice administration, showcasing their roles in maintaining societal order and prosperity. The influence of Mesopotamian culture on neighboring civilizations, including the spread of agricultural practices, trade networks, and technological innovations, is described. The legacy of Mesopotamian civilization is illustrated by its enduring impact on Western legal, religious, and literary traditions, highlighting the region's foundational contributions to human history.

👉Be a member of this channel and enjoy benefits:

-------------------
00:00 - Introduction
01:27 - War and conflicts in Ancient Mesopotamia
19:18 - The fall of Ur
22:32 - The Cradle of Civilization
43:49 - Philosophy of History - Civilization begins
55:59 - Sumerian Mythology
01:38:10 - Kingship, sumerian religion and temples
02:02:28 - The legacy of Ancient Mesopotamia

[Sabaa_Olywi]

I stumbled across this video and I really appreciate the amount of research you did for this
I'm from a city called Deir-Elzour in Syria, so I'm from Mesopotamia, and we have the epic of Gilgamish as comics for kids when I first read it
But tamouz تموز isn't a Hebrew Callander month, it's Arabic and we've been using it long before them so I'd appreciate not changing my culture
But love the video, you gained a new subscriber, keep up the great work

[aripiispanen]

♪♫♥ - Very interesting, thank you for sharing this - 𒀭
ps. please skip background music !