Iraq – An Ancient Land

While Greece and Rome are considered the cradle of Democracy, the land once known as Mesopotamia or "the land between two rivers" is considered the birthplace of civilisation.

Most of what was Mesopotamia is now Iraq, a land steeped in the history, not just of the people of the Middle East, but of all humanity. From ancient times to the modern day, this land has, at times, affected the course of world history.

Activities:

• Iraq's earliest civilisations began in the valley of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. Identify these two rivers on a map. Give reasons why this site was chosen by the Sumerians for their cities.

• As the Sumerian cities grew, a confederation of city-states was formed. Give the names of the four cities and what is meant by the term, city-states.

• The Assyrians created a massive empire but it declined in early 600BC. What reasons can you give for an empire ending or going into decline?

• On a map of the Middle East, identify the countries possessed by the Persians - what names are given to those countries today?

• What role did Alexander the Great play in the political geography of the ancient Middle East? What qualities would be needed to be a great leader in the early 300's? How does that compare to today's requirements? Look through The Mercury for examples of leaders and identify their qualities.

• Provide a timeline for Iraq showing its occupation from 600BC onwards. What do you find is characteristic of its history?

• Baghdad is the setting for many legends and stories. Find one and write a review. Why do you think the story was set in Baghdad rather than elsewhere?

• The 16th century saw Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. What effect did European trading in the Persian Gulf have?

• What was Iraq's position in World War One? What was the end result of the British occupation during this period?

• Political unrest reached a peak after World War Two. How would the citizens of Iraq show this? What steps would you take if you were unhappy with your government? Look through The Mercury for articles focussing on dissatisfied Australians.

• Iraq attempted to invade Kuwait in 1980. For what purpose did it do so? Give other examples, gained from your perusal of The Mercury, in which one country may wish to invade another and why?

• Collect article on the situation in Iraq from The Mercury and compare them with news from other sources.

Websites:

The British Museum Mesopotamia

www.mesopotamia.co.uk

Looks at some of the history of the lands of the Middle East, now know as Iraq. Includes interactive games and images of items from the museum's collection

Iraq History

home.achilles.net

An overview of the history of Iraq from ancient times to more recent developments.

History of Iraq

www.countryreports.org

A more in-depth history taking us from the earliest civilisations to the Iran-Iraq Gulf War.

Iraq Archaeology

www.arabinfoseek.com

Some useful links to sites with information on early civilisation in Iraq

Books:

Ancient Iraq

By Georges Roux

Newly revised, this book on ancient Iraq covers the political, cultural and socioeconomic history of Mesopotamia from the days of prehistory to the Christian era and beyond. (Penguin)

Looking Back- Mesopotamia and the Near East

By John Malam

This book is out of print but it contains a good brief treatment of the history of Mesopotamia up to the time of Alexander the Great. Look for it in your local library. (Evans Brothers Press)

War On Iraq

By Scott Ritter and William Rivers Pitt

Debunks some of the Bush administration's reasoning behind the threatened war with Iraq. (Allen and Unwin)

History of Iraq

By Charles Tripp

A political history of Iraq in the modern era. (Cambridge University Press)

Mesopotamia: the Invention of the City

By Gwendolyn Leick

Mesopotamia, situated roughly where Iraq is today, was one of the greatest ancient civilizations. It was here that the very first cities were created and where the familiar sights of modern urban life - public buildings and gardens, places of worship, even streets and pavements - were originally invented. (Penguin)

Islam in the World

By Malise Ruthven

A look at the history of Islam and the way it has shaped the world. Including the role of Baghdad and Iraq in the rise and fall of the great medieval Islamic empire. (Penguin)