THE FERTILE CRESCENT
The Middle East's First Cultural Hearth
Boundaries
The Crescent is comprised of the areas around the Nile, Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
Modern Geography
Today, the Fertile Crescent is part of Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey.
Ancient Geography
In ancient times, the Crescent was populated by a number of civilizations, including Sumer, Babylonia, Assyria, and Phoenicia.
Assyria
Known for its violent tendencies and strong military, Assyria was one of three major civilizations located in the Fertile Crescent.
(Pictured: Ashur, High Deity of Assyria)
Babylonia
Another of the major civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, Babylonia was the site of ancient Jerusalem, pictured here.
Sumer
The third and final ancient Mesopotamian civilization, Sumer was known for draining marshes for agriculture, establishing trade and industry, and creating a written language.
(Pictured: Ur, a major Sumerian city-state)