The history of Mesopotamia is measured in thousands of years, not centuries.
The first cities developed in the south around 3500 B.C. For the next 3,000 years, kingdoms rose and fell. Empires grew and shrank, and outsiders took over and were kicked out. During that time, three major civilizations held control at various times. These were the Sumerians, the Babylonians, and the Assyrians. In brief, here is their story.
