Mesopotamia  

Mesopotamia is the Land Between Two Rivers, the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. As these rivers did not flood regularly as did the Nile , life was hard and unpredictable.  This can be seen in much of their art and mythology, as it is often dark and violent.  The creation of the world was the result of a terrible battle in the Heavens, and many of the gods were not human at all.  However, there are many similarities between the ancient Mesopotamian mythology and our own religious beliefs today.  This should not surprise us, as Abraham, the Biblical Patriarch, is thought to have been a native of Ur .  It was only natural that many of the important beliefs and customs should be passed down.   Many of the Judeo-Christian stories have roots here.  The stories of the great flood, Moses, and even the creation of the world have their beginnings here.  This is a fascinating culture worthy of study.