What is the ancient city name for Iraq?

Answer 1

There are several names that were used for the region long before the Arabic al-'Iraq (which forms the basis for the English "Iraq". The most common is Mesopotamia, which means "[the land] between two rivers". (Al-'Iraq has a similar meaning.)

Iraq was also named by the dominant civilization in the area. These include:

1) Endemic Civilizations: There were a number of ancient civilizations that had a strong presence in the region (and used it for its capital provinces) including Assyria, Babylonia, Chaldea, and Sumer.

2) Imperial Territory: Babylon marked a turning point after which most countries that occupied Iraq were entities that had their capital provinces elsewhere. The Persian Empire was the first such empire to conquer this area and add it to their territory. Following them, the Macedonian Greeks took control of the region, naming it Mesopotamia. The Macedonian Empire fell apart, making Iraq a battleground between the Syrian and Seleucid Greeks. Iraq eventually became part of the Roman and subsequent Byzantine Empire for some 500 years. Arab armies then conquered the area and brought the Arabic language and the Moslem religion to the region.

3) Abbassid Caliphate: During the 500 years of the Abbassid Caliphate, Baghdad, Iraq was the reigning capital and center of their empire.This is when the term al-'Iraq came into common usage as the name of the general region, but not of a political province.

4) Imperial Territory, round 2: Later the Ottoman Turks seized Mesopotamia and made it part of their empire. Next the British came and took Mesopotamia from the Turks durning World War I and helped the local leaders set up a government in 1921 called Iraq with King Faisal I as the first ruling monarch.

Answer 2

Iraq, Iran, and some of the surrounding area used to be called Persia.

It USED to be called Babylon or Mesopotamia.

Yes it used to be called Mesopotamia.

Answer 3

Iraq was known as Mesopotamia until 1932 when it became known as the Kingdom of Iraq.
The old name of Iraq is Mesopotamia, which in Greek means "in the midst of the rivers". The two rivers that surround Iraq are the Tigris and the Euphrates.

Answer 4

Mesopotamia/Babylon in ancient times.
Mesopotamia until 32.
Iraq's old name is Mesopotamia which means Land between the rivers.

Answer 5

Mesopotamia, that was for a very long time ago.

Answer 6

Mesopotamia (meaning the land between the rivers: Tigris & Euphrates).

Answer 7

Historically, Iraq had a number of names. The most popular has been Mesopotamia, but it has also been called Babylonia, Assyria, Chaldea, etc.

Answer 8

BABYLONIAAAA

Answer 9

Persia.

Answer 10

Mesopotamia