The Name of the First Great Civilization in Mesopotamia: Sumer

The first great civilization in Mesopotamia, a fertile region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, was the Sumerian civilization. This ancient culture, known for its groundbreaking innovations in writing, mathematics, and social organization, left an indelible mark on human history. The Sumerians established city-states like Ur, Uruk, and Kish, each with its own ruler, temples, and complex social structures. This article delves into the fascinating history of the Sumerians, exploring their contributions to civilization and their enduring legacy.
1. **Sumer:** From the Akkadian word "su-mer," meaning "land of the civilized," or "land of the black-headed people," referring to their dark hair.
2. **Uruk:** "Uruk" is believed to be derived from the Sumerian word "unug," meaning "shining" or "bright."
3. **Ur:** The meaning of "Ur" remains uncertain, but it may be connected to the Sumerian word for "canal" or "city."
4. **Kish:** The meaning of "Kish" is unknown, but it's possibly related to the Sumerian word for "mountain" or "high place."
5. **Eridu:** "Eridu" might be derived from the Sumerian word for "good place" or "place of the good god."
6. **Lagash:** The meaning of "Lagash" is unknown, but it could be connected to the Sumerian word for "temple" or "holy place."
7. **Nippur:** "Nippur" is possibly related to the Sumerian word for "beautiful" or "splendid."
8. **Umma:** "Umma" might be derived from the Sumerian word for "mother" or "origin."
9. **Adab:** "Adab" could be linked to the Sumerian word for "reed" or "marsh."
10. **Akshak:** The meaning of "Akshak" is unknown, but it might be connected to the Sumerian word for "river" or "watercourse."
11. **Shuruppak:** "Shuruppak" might be derived from the Sumerian word for "great city" or "important place."
12. **Sippar:** The meaning of "Sippar" is unknown, but it could be related to the Sumerian word for "sun" or "light."
13. **Isin:** "Isin" possibly derives from the Sumerian word for "temple" or "holy place."
14. **Larsa:** "Larsa" might be connected to the Sumerian word for "canal" or "waterway."
15. **Eshnunna:** "Eshnunna" likely originates from the Sumerian word for "temple" or "holy place."
16. **Zabalam:** The meaning of "Zabalam" is unknown, but it could be related to the Sumerian word for "mountain" or "high place."
17. **Mari:** "Mari" might be derived from the Sumerian word for "river" or "watercourse."
18. **Susa:** "Susa" is likely of Elamite origin, possibly meaning "lilies."
19. **Babylon:** "Babylon" is believed to be of Akkadian origin, meaning "Gate of God."
20. **Assur:** "Assur" is a name of Assyrian origin, possibly meaning "chief" or "leader."
21. **Akkad:** "Akkad" is of Akkadian origin, meaning "high place" or "mountain."
22. **Nineveh:** "Nineveh" is of Assyrian origin, possibly meaning "dwelling" or "habitation."
23. **Katal Huyuk:** "Katal Huyuk" means "mound of the hill" in Turkish.
24. **Göbekli Tepe:** "Göbekli Tepe" means "Pot-bellied Hill" in Turkish.
25. **Çatalhöyük:** "Çatalhöyük" means "forked mound" in Turkish.
26. **Jericho:** "Jericho" is believed to be of Hebrew origin, meaning "moon" or "fragrance."
27. **Tell Brak:** "Tell Brak" means "mound of Brak" in Arabic.
28. **Tell Halaf:** "Tell Halaf" means "mound of Halaf" in Arabic.
29. **Tell Asmar:** "Tell Asmar" means "mound of Asmar" in Arabic.
30. **Tell Uqair:** "Tell Uqair" means "mound of Uqair" in Arabic.
31. **Tell el-Oueili:** "Tell el-Oueili" means "mound of the wells" in Arabic.
32. **Tell Abu Salabikh:** "Tell Abu Salabikh" means "mound of the father of the locusts" in Arabic.
33. **Tell el-Hiba:** "Tell el-Hiba" means "mound of the gift" in Arabic.
34. **Tell al-Rimah:** "Tell al-Rimah" means "mound of the spear" in Arabic.
35. **Tell al-Muqayyar:** "Tell al-Muqayyar" means "mound of the copper" in Arabic.
36. **Tell Beit Mirsim:** "Tell Beit Mirsim" means "mound of the house of Mirsim" in Arabic.
37. **Tell es-Sawwan:** "Tell es-Sawwan" means "mound of the flint" in Arabic.
38. **Tell el-Judeideh:** "Tell el-Judeideh" means "mound of the new one" in Arabic.
39. **Tell el-Farah:** "Tell el-Farah" means "mound of the joy" in Arabic.
40. **Tell el-Yahudiyeh:** "Tell el-Yahudiyeh" means "mound of the Jews" in Arabic.
41. **Tell el-Hammeh:** "Tell el-Hammeh" means "mound of the hot spring" in Arabic.
42. **Tell el-Amarna:** "Tell el-Amarna" means "mound of the Amarna" in Arabic.
43. **Tell el-Kheleifeh:** "Tell el-Kheleifeh" means "mound of the caliph" in Arabic.
44. **Tell el-Rumeileh:** "Tell el-Rumeileh" means "mound of the pomegranate" in Arabic.
45. **Tell el-Maskhuta:** "Tell el-Maskhuta" means "mound of the mask" in Arabic.