Constructing a Timeline of Mesopotamian
Civilizations
Overview: In this activity, you will explore the various civilizations that have risen and declined in the
Near East.
Sumer (4000 - 2300 B.C.E.)
Akkadian Empire (2330 - 2100 B.C.E.)
Babylonian Empire (1800 - 1500 B.C.E.)
Assyrian Empire (1100 - 612 B.C.E.)
Chaldean Empire (612 - 539 B.C.E.)
Persian Empire - "Achaemenid Empire" (550 - 333 B.C.E.)
Step 1: Key Civilizations in Mesopotamia.
Step 2: Cut out the Image Tokens at the top of the first page and each civilization
description along the dotted lines.
Step 3: Key Civilizations in Mesopotamia Small Maps and cut out each one along
dotted lines.
Step 4: Match each Image Token to the corresponding Description and Map. Ex: the
Walled City Token matches the Sumerian City-States description and the Map with
black dots around the Tigris & Euphrates River region.
Image Token - Civilization Description - Small Map
Step 5: On the blank space within the small maps cut-outs, glue the image tokens that
correspond to each. Then write in the name of the civilization and the time frame it
existed in history. Ex: Sumerian City-States (4000 - 2300 B.C.E.) Then, write a brief
description of the civilization's accomplishments.
Step 6: Key Civilization in Mesopotamia Timeline. Glue each small map to the
timeline in chronological order (above and below). Then shade in the horizontal bar
that follows the title of each civilization. Ex: Sumerian City-States - Shade from 4000
B.C.E. to 2300 B.C.E. (as close to the date as possible, since 2300 B.C.E. isn't labeled.)
Step 7: Writing Prompt: Answer the following question in essay format. Use THREE quotes
from within the text, Key Civilizations in Mesopotamia to back up your answer.
Prompt: Why did Mesopotamian civilizations rise and decline?