History of Mesopotamia - Part 1 (2900-2000 BC)

Name: History of Mesopotamia - Part 1 (2900-2000 BC)
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An introduction to the political and cultural history of third millennium Mesopotamia

Highest Rated

Created byNshan Kesecker

Last updated 5/2020

English

What you'll learn

The history and culture of third millennium Mesopotamia
Socio-political developments in third millennium Mesopotamia
Early Imperialism

Course content

5 sections • 29 lectures • 1h 53m total length

Chronology3:51
In this lecture, we will go over the chronology of third millennium Mesopotamia that you will need to follow along with the rest of the course.
Terminology4:14
In this lecture, you will learn some of the necessary terminology that you will need in order to follow along with the rest of the course.
Geography3:48
In this lecture, you will learn the geography that you will need to know in order to follow along with the rest of the course.

On the Threshold of History: The Uruk Period and the Invention of Writing3:52
In this lecture, you will learn about the periods prior to the Early Dynastic period, when writing was invented.
The Invention of Writing: Cuneiform12:03
This lecture is just a short introduction to the invention of cuneiform and how it works (basically). I am planning a more in depth course introducing students to Sumerian and Akkadian, which will contain much more information about cuneiform.
Reconstructing Political History: The Sumerian King List10:18
The Sumerian King List - an extremely unreliable text, but we use it anyway.
Names to Know: Early Dynastic Period2:07
In this lecture, you will learn about the Sumerian King List, a document that provides us with a basic outline (or does it?) of Mesopotamian history, king by king.
The Primacy of Kish: Myth or Reality?2:38
At the beginning of the Early Dynastic period, the city of Kish appears to have dominated Mesopotamian politics.
Kings of Kish: Not Always Native Kishites3:21
Explore how the title king of Kish signified universal kingship and was claimed by non-Kish rulers, reflecting Akkadian and Sumerian double meanings across early dynastic Mesopotamia.
Warring States: Umma and Lagash2:01
From the middle to the end of the Early Dynastic period, an epic, decades-long struggle between the city-states Umma and Lagash ended up defining Mesopotamia's future.
Primary Source Analysis: The Vulture Stele2:32
King Eannatum of Lagash smites all the foes of Lagash in his famous Vulture Stele text.
Primary Source Analysis: Urukagina's Reforms3:04
Urukagina of Lagash rights the wrongs of the past.
The Birth of Imperialism: Lugalzagesi3:37
Lugalzagesi takes the reigns of power in Umma and possibly creates the world's first empire.
Primary Source Analysis: Lugalzagesi, King of the Land2:33
Lugalzagesi celebrates his conquests in this text.
Primary Source Analysis: The Lament for Lagash4:56
Analyze a primary source lament detailing Mugabe's brutal siege of Lagos, destroying buildings, temples, statues, and fields, and explore bias and competing historical narratives.
Final Thoughts on the Early Dynastic Period4:34
Trace the early dynastic period of Mesopotamia from Kish kings to rivals like Gilgamesh, highlighting universal kingship, power consolidation, and reform texts that shaped political memory.
Early Dynastic Period Quiz
Understanding Royal Inscriptions 1

A Short-Lived Peace: The Invasion of Sargon of Akkad6:18
After 25 years of "peace," Lugalzagesi could not have expected what was to come...
Sargon's Sons: Rimush and Manishtushu2:32
Rimush and Manishtushu confront imperial instability, quell southern revolts, and expand royal authority through land sales and amphibious campaigns to the east, securing trade and resources.
The King is Divine: Naram-Sin and the Great Revolt1:58
Sargon's grandson, Naram-Sin, crushes a large rebellion and declares himself a god.
The King of Kings: Shar-kali-sharri3:31
Naram-Sin's son, who is also initially divine, does not fare as well as his father.
The Aftermath2:34
The Akkadian Empire collapses. Mesopotamia falls into a "Dark Age."
Final Thoughts on the Sargonic Period7:59
Explore a contrarian view of the Sargonic period, outlining continued dynastic policies, military expansion, and contested legacies shaping Acadian royal authority and empire formation.
Sargonic Period Quiz
Understanding Royal Inscriptions 2

A New Hope: The South Rises Again2:03
Utu-hegal of Uruk finally kicked out the "barbaric" Gutians. What was next for Mesopotamia? Ur-Nammu of Ur had some ideas.
Primary Source Analysis: Utu-hegal Defeats the Gutians2:50
Utu-hegal of Uruk confronts the Gutian king and saves Sumer from certain doom.
The World's First Nerd: Shulgi3:02
King Shulgi decides to redo Sumerian literature. He also brags about his own intelligence.
Build that Wall, Dig a Hole: Ibbi-Sin and the Fall of Ur3:16
Ibbi-Sin desperately tries to save the empire by building a border wall. It does not work.
Primary Source Analysis: The Lament for Ur1:24
Analyze a primary source lament about the destruction of the third dynasty of war in Sumer. It describes storms sweeping cities, the fall of sin, and divine removal of kingship.
Final Thoughts on the Ur III Period4:49
Explore how the Ur III period revived Sumerian literature, including Gilgamesh, sharpened kingship with a law code, and waged campaigns against the Emirates and Isin, ending the third dynasty.
Ur III Quiz
Understanding Royal Inscriptions 3

Requirements

A Passion for History
An Interest in the Ancient Near East

Description

In this course, you will learn about the history of the Sumerians and Akkadians. The invention of writing, government propaganda, imperialism, letters - all of these were invented in Mesopotamia during the third millennium. This is an introductory course, but I plan on expanding and editing it over time to include more topics on literature, culture, and primary sources. This course will be helpful for college students who are taking an introductory course on Mesopotamian history and need to supplement their knowledge, or just for ancient history enthusiasts. There is information here for pure beginners, as well as for those with some knowledge of the field already. I will also be actively expanding the course - I look forward to your feedback!

In the first section of a course, you will gain the necessary background knowledge needed to follow along.

In the second section, you will learn about the Early Dynastic period and the various Sumerian kings that vied for power.

In the third section, you will learn about Sargon of Akkad and his dynasty.

In the fourth section, you will learn about the Third Dynasty of Ur - the "Neo-Sumerian Empire."

Who this course is for:

Students of history
College students seeking to learn more about Mesopotamia
Those interested in ancient civilizations

History of Mesopotamia - Part 1 (2900-2000 BC)

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Introductory Lectures/Materials3 lectures • 12min

Early Dynastic Period (2900-2350 BC)13 lectures • 58min

The Sargonic Period (2350-2250 BC)6 lectures • 25min

The Third Dynasty of Ur (2100-2000 BC)6 lectures • 17min

References/Bibliographic Information1 lecture • 2min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: