Earliest Empires: Mesopotamian History in 3rd Millennium

AN N EA C106A - Earliest Empires: Mesopotamian History in 3rd Millennium

<p>Lecture, three hours. In-depth study of the history of ancient Mesopotamia, from the earliest textual and material evidence to the end of the Ur III state circa 2000 BCE. Particular focus on rise of cities in Mesopotamia and formation of the first major unified polities, such as the kingdom of Sargon of Akkad, sometimes labeled the first empire in history. Overview of political, social, and cultural history of Mesopotamia, and engagement with primary source texts in translation to examine more personal perspectives of individuals throughout this period of history. Concurrently scheduled with course C106A. S/U or letter grading.</p>

Ancient Near East

College of Letters and Science

Near Eastern Languages and Cultures

AN N EA C206A - Earliest Empires: Mesopotamian History in 3rd Millennium

Gain an understanding of the history of Mesopotamia in the third millennium BCE

Gain experience and confidence in research-based writing and analysis, learning to integrate different textual, material, and archaeological evidence 

Gain competency in critically analyzing a range of primary and secondary texts, including royal inscriptions and literary texts originally written in Sumerian and Akkadian (read in translation)

Analyze the origin of major unified polities (or, arguably, empires) as found in the Sargonic and Ur III periods

Understand the origins and development of writing and its role in Mesopotamian culture

General Catalog

Earliest Empires: Mesopotamian History in 3rd Millennium

AN N EA C206A

5 units