Empires of Ancient Mesopotamia

As various city-states sprang up along the rivers, the first trade routes were laid among them. Cuneiform, the first writing system, eventually developed into various dialects and spread throughout western Asia and beyond. Although the empires of ancient Mesopotamia ended with the Persian conquest in the sixth century BCE, their importance cannot be underestimated. From a legal system to a school system, these ancient inhabitants of modern-day Iraq pioneered the groundwork that forms the basis for modern societies. "Empires of Ancient Mesopotamia" details the development of this area, the growth of its city-states, the daily life of its peoples, and how their influence is still felt today.