Ancient Near East

Delve into the ancient origins of Sumer, the birthplace of many foundational elements of modern Western civilization. Situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, Sumer developed the first known cities, languages, and organized societies, with a rich cultural heritage preserved in clay tablets. Just before the rise of Ancient Egypt, Sumer's influence laid the groundwork for the rise of powerful city-states like Babylon around 1800 BCE, a center of spiritual, economic, and military power. This exploration reveals how Sumer's innovations paved the way for later civilizations, including the Indus Valley and Mycenae.