Includes bibliographical references (p. [335]-337) and index.

Machine generated contents note: I -- I -- 1. Introduction -- Rediscovery and Decipherment -- Dating the Past (Relative Dating vs. Absolute Dating) -- 2. General Information -- The Geographical Setting of Mesopotamia -- The Peoples and Their Languages -- 3. Historical Overview -- Permanent Settlement and Domestication -- The Beginnings of Civilization: From Farming Villages -- to Cities -- The Period of City-States and Nation-States: The Third -- Millennium -- The Period of New Kingdoms: The Second Millennium -- Empires in Mesopotamia: The First Millennium -- 4. Writing, Education, and Literature -- Origins of Writing -- Education and Professional Activity of Scribes -- Archives and Libraries -- Literature: Poetry and Prose -- Nonliterary Texts -- 5. The Sciences -- Medicine -- Mathematics -- Astronomy -- Technology -- Natural Sciences -- Cartography and Geography -- 6. Society, Part I: City Life, Country Life, Nomadic and -- Semi-Nomadic Life -- City Life -- The Countryside -- Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Life -- Class and Society -- 7. Society, Part II: Private Life -- Private Houses -- Family Life -- Property and Succession -- Women's Roles -- Fashions -- Food and Drink -- 8. Recreation -- Hunting -- Sports -- Board Games -- Toys -- Music -- Dancing -- Banquets -- Performance of Literary Works -- 9. Religion -- Religious Views of Early Man -- Development of the Pantheon -- The Composition of the Pantheon -- Representations of the Gods -- Service to the Gods -- Places of Worship and Their Functions -- Worshipers -- Religious Personnel and Servants -- Religious Festivals -- Sorcerers, Exorcists, and Diviners -- Prophets -- 10. Government -- The King -- Administration of Justice -- Warfare -- Consequences of War -- International Relations -- 11. Economy -- Farming -- Canals and Irrigation -- Land Management -- The Domestic Economy -- Foreign Trade -- Crafts and Labor -- 12. The Legacy of Ancient Mesopotamia -- Notes -- Glossary -- Selected Bibliography -- Index.