Georges Roux's book Ancient Iraq tells the stories of Sumer, Akkad, Babylon and Assyria, the four civilisations which successively existed between the third and first millennia BC in the area which is covered by the modern state of Iraq. The written history of Iraq extends further back than that of any other country, apart from possibly that of Egypt, because the people of Sumer were the amongst the first to develop a system of writing, making wedge shaped impressions with a stylus onto tablets of clay. The book is written with a studied balance and a desire to support any claim, no matter how small, with the evidence of the written and archaeological record, however interesting, however tedious.The focus of the book is on the social, cultural and political life of these civilisations. The chapters on the political history of the region are rather easy to get lost in, with numerous Assurbanipals, Assurnasipals, Assurdans, Tiglathpilesars variously invading or being invaded by their neighbours. On the cultural and social side the book is rather more successful. Here the incredible learning and detail of the author really works, with fascinating discussions of, for instance, the layout of the city of Babylon, the Assyrian Calendar (13 28-day lunar months to a year with leap years in seven of every nineteen years if you’re interested) and the surprisingly stable pantheon of gods which the four successive civilisations all worshipped.Another highlight is the chapter on the geography of the region which discusses the problems such as drought, lack of timber and soil salinisation which affected the the area between the Tigris and Euphrates, heartland of the civilisations of ancient Iraq. To some extent the common idea that this area gave rise to the first civilisations because it was incredibly fertile seems to be myth. Although the author does not speculate on this, perhaps it was overcoming the barriers to successful agriculture which led the people of Sumer to develop writing and a bureaucracy. It is easy to see that once farming had reached a certain scale such tools would have been vital to maintaining communal systems of irrigation, managing labourers and also codifying customs of land ownership.The book is rather heavy-going in places, partly because of the level of detail in the research and eagerness to discuss every possible nuance of a point, once raised. The book is, however, still very readable and the subject merits this combination of balanced analysis backed by comprehensive research.
iraqi inundation 1954alluvialwadisAmorites, 2nd millenniumArameans, +800 years from abovebitumen trade, used as mortar, in sculpture, boat caulk, fuel, a drugHoms region1953 gulf excavationsjemdat.nasr potteryp24 babylon first dynasty kingspietro della valleDanish expedition 1761 karsten niebuhrWarka vase, Inanna, looted 2003 Iraq museum, returned damaged, currently missinganki - sky-earthlil - atmosphereabsu/apsu - ocean/watersGods:Anu - created the heavens/skyEnki/Ea - created the abode (apsu)Marduk - patron god of Babylon aka AshurEnlil - Sumerian godApsu/Tiammat (salt waters) - troublesomeMummu - cloudsInanna - goddess of carnal love, Dumuzi (lover to Inanna) similar to Osiris storyEnuma elish - 7 tablet poem, Babylonian creation story; recited by priests on 4th day of New Year festival ,(akitu)
Do You like book Ancient Iraq (1993)?
This is one of the most important books any historian interested in the ancient Middle East should read. It is a comprehensive and easily understood volume which touches upon the most significant historical events dating from the Paleolithic to ancient Greece. This book is a one-stop encyclopedia for both the novice seeking to see the bigger historical picture, to the seasoned scholar who can always find something to refresh their memories. I have two worn copies, the first lovingly held together with a large rubber band. Now I have the e-book which has the added word-search feature which is invaluable to the historical researcher. This is a book that can never be finished for it remains a valuable resource which all good historians return to for both knowledge and inspiration.
—Jeffrey Aaron
