Read the given passage carefully and answer the following questions.
1.Ancient Mesopotamia, known as the "Cradle of Civilization," thrived between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern-day Iraq. It was one of the first places where people developed cities, writing, and complex societies. The Sumerians were the first known inhabitants and played a significant role in shaping this civilization.
2.Around 3500 BCE, the Sumerians built several city-states, such as Ur, Uruk, and Eridu. Each city-state had its own government and deity but shared a common culture and language. They created some of the earliest known forms of writing, called cuneiform. This writing system used wedge-shaped symbols pressed into clay tablets, allowing them to record transactions, laws, and stories. One famous text, "The Epic of Gilgamesh," is considered one of the earliest literary works in human history.
3.The Sumerians also excelled in mathematics, astronomy, and engineering. They developed a calendar based on the moon's phases and divided the year into 12 months. In mathematics, they used a base-60 system, which is why we have 60 minutes in an hour and 360 degrees in a circle today.
4.After the Sumerians, the Akkadians, led by King Sargon, united Mesopotamia around 2300 BCE, creating one of the world's first empires. Later, the Babylonian Empire emerged, with King Hammurabi establishing a code of laws known as Hammurabi's Code. This set of 282 laws covered topics like trade, property, and punishment and is one of the earliest examples of written laws.
5.The Assyrians eventually took control, known for their military prowess and large empire. They built great cities like Nineveh, which housed an impressive library. Eventually, the Neo-Babylonian Empire, led by King Nebuchadnezzar II, revived Babylon's glory with achievements like the famous Hanging Gardens.
6. Ancient Mesopotamia set the stage for future civilizations with its advances in writing, law, and city-building. Despite the passage of millennia, its legacy continues to shape modern society in many subtle ways, reminding us of its remarkable achievements.