Iraq History

Ur was a considerable Sumerian city-state in old Mesopotamia, situated near modern-day Tell el-Muqayyar in the Dhi Qar Governorate in Southern Iraq. Ur was formerly a seaside city on the Persian Gulf, near the mouth of the Euphrates, but the shoreline has modified, and the city is now well inland, on the south bank of the Euphrates, 16 kilometers (about 9.9 miles) from Nasiriyah in modern-day Iraq.

Assyria, frequently referred to as the Assyrian Empire, was a Mesopotamian kingdom and empire in the Ancient Near East that lasted from maybe the 25th century BC (in the form of the Assur city-state till its collapse between 612 BC and 605 BC, covering the Early to Middle Bronze Age to the Late Iron Age). Assyria was a Semitic-speaking kingdom based upon the Tigris River in Upper Mesopotamia, an area that included Northern Iraq, Northeast Syria, and Southeast Turkey, and also fringe parts of Northwest Iran in modern-day terms.

Today, it is known by many names, like the First Iraq War, Kuwait War, and, most commonly, the Gulf War or the First Gulf War. It was a rather short conflict, lasting just shy of seven months between late 1990 and early 1991. Yet, it was still rather impactful because it showcased several essential innovations and changes in political and technological aspects of warfare, some of which are still part of modern conflicts.

Whether you have played a Prince of Persia video game, seen the movie, or just heard about it in history class, it is hard to ignore the Persian Empire, which was among the greatest empires of the world for some time. The typical area for the Persian Empire was what is now Iran. The Persians had a vast influence on surrounding countries and regions. Their style, art, music, rule, and culture have had an influence on the development of science and the forming of nations. Learn more in this audiobook about this empire of old.