What was the first war in recorded history?

The first war in recorded history was between Sumer and Elam in 2700 BCE; Sumer was victorious.

How long did warfare continue in ancient Mesopotamia?

Wars were fought in ancient Mesopotamia from the first recorded conflict in 2700 BCE through the fall of the Sassanian Empire in 651 CE.

Why were wars fought in ancient Mesopotamia?

Wars in ancient Mesopotamia were initially fought over land and water resources and later as wars of conquest to control those resources as well as centers of production and trade routes.

What was the justification for war in ancient Mesopotamia?

The justification for war in ancient Mesopotamia claimed it as the will of the gods to maintain order and punish wrongdoers; as it has been claimed ever since up to the present day.

Mesopotamian Warfare Timeline

Definition

Ancient Mesopotamian warfare progressed from companies of a city's militia in Sumer to the professional standing armies of Akkad, Babylon, Assyria, and Persia and from conflicts over land or water rights to wars of conquest and political supremacy. Developments in weaponry, training, and tactics made the armies of Mesopotamia among the most effective in the ancient world.

More about: Mesopotamian Warfare

Timeline

2900 BCE - 2334 BCE
Warfare rages between Sumerian city-states during the Early Dynastic Period.
c. 2700 BCE
First recorded war in history between Sumer and Elam; Sumer wins.
c. 2600 BCE
Stele of the Vultures monument celebrates victory of Lagash over Umma.
c. 2500 BCE
Oldest helmet in the world - the "Golden Wig" - worn by Sumerian commander.
2334 BCE - 2279 BCE
Sargon of Akkad reforms the military, disbands militias, and creates a professional standing army.
2047 BCE - 1750 BCE
The kings of the Ur III Period build on Sargon's military model.
1792 BCE - 1750 BCE
Hammurabi of Babylon uses Sargon's military model to conquer Mesopotamia.
c. 1307 BCE - 612 BCE
The Assyrian Empire conquers and then rules Mesopotamia.
c. 550 BCE - 330 BCE
The Achaemenid Empire conquers and rules Mesopotamia.

Mesopotamian Warfare

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Definition

Timeline