History of Iraqi Civilization
Mursaleen Hamid Saeed
The dawn of civilization in Iraq began around 5000 BC. It ended with the era in which the Iraqi man invented writing for the first time in the history of humanity, a significant innovation in the last quarter of the fourth millennium BC. The emergence of mature civilization in Mesopotamia proceeded in steady steps, stages, and successive phases. These phases were known in Iraq to modern specialists by the names of the cities, villages, and sites where they first appeared. The towns of the oldest phase are (Hassuna), (Samarra), (Halaf), (Al-Ubaid), (Al-Warka), and finally (Jamdat Nasr).
First: The Age of the Dawn of Dynasties
The Age of the Dawn of Dynasties in Iraq began around 2800 BC and lasted for six centuries. It is also known as the ancient Sumerian era or the era of city-states. Scholars divide this period of Iraqi civilization’s history into three eras: the First Dawn of Dynasties, the Second Dawn of Dynasties, and the Third Dawn of Dynasties.
Each of these three stages has its distinctive civilization. However, it can be said that architecture has made great strides in this era, especially in the construction of palaces and temples, the works of kings and the opinions of rulers, and the general affairs of the people, such as commercial transactions, personal status, correspondence, literature, and myths, in addition to religious affairs and worship. Second: Akkadian rule
The era of the dawn of dynasties ended with the unification of Iraq into one kingdom by Sargon of Akkad. Sargon was from the Akkadians, a branch of the people who were removed from the Arab homeland, the Arabian Peninsula, to Iraq. The founder of the Akkadian dynasty, Sargon, ruled for fifty-five years, during which he introduced many reforms to the system of government and the army, including the development of methods of war and weapons. There was also significant progress in architecture and the arts. Naram-Sin is considered the most powerful king of the Akkadian dynasty, who ruled for forty years.
Third: Sumerian rule
Its Sumerian prince (Utu-Hegal) led this rule, calling himself the King of Sumer and Akkad and calling on the country’s people to fight foreign tyrants. Sumerian rule then moved to the city of Ur, where a dynasty was formed known as the (Third Ur) dynasty, founded by (Ur-Nammu). The five kings of this dynasty sought to re-establish a vast empire similar to the Akkadian Empire, which included a large part of the regions of the Near East.
Fourth: The Old Babylonian Era
This era began in the early second millennium (BC) in Iraq. A new ruling family was established, known as the First Babylonian Dynasty, and it was famous for its sixth king, Hammurabi, who combined unique qualities that made him a leader, politician, reformer, and legislator. Then, a fierce war broke out between him and the Elamite intruders, during which Hammurabi showed good management and firmness, which enabled them to tear their hunger apart and extend his conquests after that to the north of Mesopotamia and the regions of the Fertile Crescent. The most crucial thing distinguishing this Old Babylonian era is the expansion and abundance of cities. There was also a significant development in human sciences and knowledge as it moved from its practical stages to the stage of mining and carving, which began the emergence of human sciences. Not only that but civilization from Mesopotamia took its way in the Old Babylonian era to all parts of the East and the world’s ends. Fifth: The Middle Babylonian Era
In the late Old Babylonian Era, Iraq was invaded by peoples from the east or northeast, known as the Shakites. They established a new ruling dynasty that lasted for about five thousand centuries. This era was known as the Middle Babylonian Era, and it is considered one of Iraq’s dark ages.