اسم المؤلف:
مهند خميس عبد الله الدليمي
اسم المشرف:
سهيلة مجيد احمد
المستخلص:
The trade was the second cornerstone on which the economic life was based after the agriculture. Although Mesopotamia was known by its water resources and fertile sands, it needed for some materials wanted in the industry, such as stones, woods, and various metals. People tried hard from early ages in order to get those materials from the neighboring and remote areas. Accordingly, trade links were created with those areas like the Arabian Gulf, Turkey and Iran, as well as Syria which had a related links with Mesopotamia since the prehistory ages as referred by the archeological excavations explored in various areas of Syria.This study concentrates on the trade links between Mesopotamia and Syria; it tackles such links from the prehistory ages and till the end of the ancient Babylon. The study of this aspect shows a profile for the nature of that activity and the natural resources of cities and kingdoms in both areas. In addition, it introduces the roads and paths passed by trade caravans and military troops together. This topic is one of the important subjects which evoked researchers to make studies. There have been many studies about this topic such as including the political aspects and cultural aspects, especially that the impact of Mesopotamian culture was very great on the neighboring areas’. According to this study, it has been tackled the commercial aspects. It presents all matters related to trade links between Mesopotamia and Syria in the abovementioned period which was known by an obvious commercial activity between both of the areas.This study is made up of four chapters through which it has been presented the commercial activity between the both areas. This activity was sometimes dynamic to be moved to another direction as in the Acadian Age, and the age of third race of Ur, where almost of the commercial activity was done with the East and the Arabian Gulf. The first chapter tackles : (the Impact of Geographical Background in the Date of Mesopotamia and Syria). It is known that the geographical aspect of any area has an impact in the human activity in general and in the economic activity in particular, especially that related to the commercial activity. This chapter concentrates on the impact of geography in this activity, and the importance of commercial site for both of Mesopotamia and Syria which was making up of a unique geographical unit. Accordingly, that unit facilitated the matter of making commercial activities. This chapter includes two sections. The first one discussed the commercial site of Mesopotamia and the importance of historical site, in addition to its effect on trade. Whereas the second one tackles the commercial site of Syria and its effect in holding trades. The second chapter, however, represents : (The Commercial Activity between Mesopotamia and Syria from the Prehistory Ages and till the End of the Age of Early Races). It has been divided into two sections. The first one tackles the commercial activity between Mesopotamia and Syria in the prehistory age referred by ceramics and cylinder stamps that was spread by the trade, in addition to the existence of Sumerians in some areas of Syria which was regarded by researchers as trade stations. Especially, it had been a similarity in building designs and cities planning to the designs and planning in South Mesopotamia. The second section tackles the commercial activity between Mesopotamia and Syria in the age of early races. At that period of time, the commercial activity between Mesopotamia and Ebla was the most prominent. The effect of Mesopotamia on it was very great, especially in aspects accompanied by trades, like culture. In addition, in this period of time Mari City had appeared as a commercial agent. Then, this section tackles the trade arrangement throughout the direct supervision of kings in dealing with roads and making it safe.The third chapter refers to : the commercial activity between Mesopotamia and Syria in both of the Acadian and the third race of Ur Ages. The period has been discussed in two sections. The first one tackles the commercial activity between Mesopotamia and Syria in the Acadian Age. The commercial activity in that period concentrates on the eastern side and the Arabian Gulf, whereas there are only simple references on the commercial activity with Syria. That was represented by military companions leaded by Acadian Kings in order to warrant the trade safety, in addition to commercial substitutions which were greatly concentrated with Ebla. Kings were directly supervising on trades, and they were arranging them. The second section tackles the commercial activity between Mesopotamia and Syria in the age of third race of Ur. Trade, at that period of time, was obviously concentrated with Ebla, and it was taken into kings’ account and supervision.The fourth chapter affirms on the commercial activity between Mesopotamia and Syria in the ancient Babylon and Assyrian ages. This period was recognized by a great commercial activity, especially with Syria to be named as the age of trade and merchants. This chapter is made up of three sections. The first one concentrates on the commercial activity among the Mesopotamian and the Syrian cities, i.e. the commercial activity of Babylon & Assyria and its relation to the Syrian cities like Emar, Qatana, and Aleppo. Besides, the second section tackles the commercial activity to the city of Mari which represents a connection point between the Mesopotamian and the Syrian cities. Goods were passed between these two areas. In the third section, it has been tackled trades arrangement. The principle axes discussed in this section are the trade roads, whether they are land or sea ones, and the used transporting means in these roads. In addition, it has been tackled the taxes and fees. All these procedures was arranged and planned under the kings’ supervision
