Early Mesopotamia: Society and Economy at the Dawn of History (Paperback)

by Nichol Postgate (Author) "Our approach to Mesopotamia is that of many westerners before us, from Herodotus on, drawn by the reports of ancient cities in a fertile plain..." (more)
Key Phrases: prebend land, copper sickles, land sale documents, Early Dynastic, Near East, Code of Hammurapi (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Postgate has written the finest available introduction to the ancient world of Mesopotamia. . . successfully accomplishes what few others have achieved . . ." -- Choice

"This discussion is not just an excellent introduction to the subject: it is full of insights and evidence of the breadth of Postgate's scholarship." -- History Today

Postgate has written the finest available introduction to the ancient world of Mesopotamia. . . . Postgate successfully accomplishes what few others have achieved, namely, a narrative depiction of the lifeways of the people of early Mesopotamia: their law, warfare, crafts, trade, technological achievements, and their political and religious ideologies. . . . Essential reading for all interested in the ancient past.
–Choice

This discussion is not just an excellent introduction to the subject: it is full of insights and evidence of the breadth of Postgate's scholarship.
–History Today

This discussion is not just an excellent introduction to the subject: it is full of insights and evidence of the breadth of Postgates scholarship.
–History Today

Product Description
The roots of our modern world lie in the civilization of Mesopotamia, which saw the development of the first urban society and the invention of writing. The cuneiform texts reveal the technological and social innovations of Sumer and Babylonia as surprisingly modern, and the influence of this fascinating culture was felt throughout the Near East. Early Mesopotamia gives an entirely new account, integrating the archaeology with historical data which until now have been largely scattered in specialist literature.

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; Reprint edition (July 8, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415110327
• ISBN-13: 978-0415110327
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #765,369 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' for all serious students of ancient Mesopotamia., February 15, 1998

By	Robert Spender (Lancaster, PA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Postgate has written an extremely helpful volume for students of ancient Near Eastern history and culture. It is a scholarly work yet quite readable. His emphasis upon geographical and environmental factors is refreshing and fills a needed gap at this level. Brief citations from contemporanious texts provide helpful illustrations along the way. Always conservative in his own estimation, Postgate provides a variety of alternative solutions to problems and questions raised by the evidence. He does not hesitate, however, to challenge prevailing views where the evidence suggests an alternative like the central role of the temple vs. the palace in this ancient economic setting. The book opens with a historical survey and moves on to provide an understanding of early Mesopotamian society up to the Old Babylonian period. This is a very fine volume.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, but dry., November 7, 2000

By	Tim G. (Canada) - See all my reviews

This is a true scholarly work, exhaustively researched and written by a pre-eminent authority in the field, making it unfortunately very dull. Postgate is unquestionably a master, with a vast knowledge of his field. He leaves no stone unturned, and explores all the critical issues in Mesopotamian archaeology, complete with numerous citations from cuneiform texts. However, being a true academic, his writing is very dry and sometimes awkward, making it difficult to stay awake when reading. Postgate provides detailed information and insightful commentaries on all aspects of Mesopotamian life, making this a worthwhile read. One can't help but wonder however, if the Mesopotamians weren't somewhat more exciting than Postgate's writing makes them.