Historical Dictionary of Mesopotamia

The Greek name Mesopotamia means "land between the rivers." The Romans used this term for an area that they controlled only briefly (between 115 and 117 A.D.): the land between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, from the south Anatolian mountains ranges to the Persian Gulf. It comprises the civilizations of Sumer and Akkad (third millennium B.C.) as well as the later Babylonian and Assyrian empires of the second and first millennium. Although the "history" of Mesopotamia in the strict sense of the term only begins with the inscriptions of Sumerian rulers around the 27th century B.C., the foundations for Mesopotamian civilization, especially the beginnings of irrigation and the emergence of large permanent settlements, were laid much earlier, in the fifth and fourth millennium.

'The Historical Dictionary of Mesopotamia' covers one of the oldest civilizations in history. Providing comprehensive coverage of significant persons, places, events, and institutions that influenced and shaped Mesopotamia's history. It charts the many city states,kingdoms and empires; the famous and less well known rulers, the arts of war and the arts of peace; the signs of a maturing civilization and high culture, plus aspects of everyday life, including food and drink, clothing and jewellery, housing and cities, social relations and the formation of families, marriage and divorce.

The concise entries are cross referenced for ease of access. There is a chronological appendix listing all major historical periods, a list of all known rulers, as well as comprehensive bibliography and listings of museums with Mesopotamian collections.

• Author