5000 – 1600 B.C.
Ancient Mesopotamia is where some of the first farmers settled. The fertile land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers allowed early people to grow crops, leading to the rise of the Sumerian and Akkadian civilizations. These early farmers not only produced food but also built cities, developed writing, and created systems of government and law. Their innovations in agriculture and society shaped the development of future civilizations in the region and beyond.
Picture books
Gilgamesh The King
Part 1 of a charming retelling of the Gilgamesh epic for young readers
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The Revenge of Ishtar
Part 2 of a charming retelling of the Gilgamesh epic for young readers
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The Last Quest of Gilgamesh
Part 3 of a charming retelling of the Gilgamesh epic for young readers
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Lugalbanda: The Boy Who Got Caught Up in a War
Illustrated retelling of another ancient story
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Chapter books
Non-fiction books
EyeWitness Mesopotamia
Engaging overview of life in Mesopotamia, with photos of artifacts
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You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Sumerian Slave!
Humorous intro to life in Sumer
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Life in Ancient Mesopotamia
Intro to everyday life in ancient Mesopotamia
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Ancient Mesopotamia: The Sumerians, Babylonians, And Assyrians
Major people groups of Ancient Mesopotamia
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The Ancient Near Eastern World
Middle-grade, detailed description of life in this period with primary sources
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