Civilizations first developed in Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, known as the Fertile Crescent. Two early civilizations were the Sumerians in southern Mesopotamia and the Akkadians in northern Mesopotamia. The Sumerians invented systems like cuneiform writing and irrigation canals, while the Akkadians conquered surrounding areas but faced revolts. Later, the Babylonians, including King Hammurabi, and Assyrians rose to power in Mesopotamia before the Persians invaded and took over Babylon.