The Sumerians were an ancient Mesopotanian civilization. They were so civilized that they brewed beer and wrote the recipes on clay tablets.

The Assyrians were another Mesopotanian civilization. They brewed at least 70 kinds of beer.
Source(s):
http://beeradvocate.com/articles/304
http://www.assyriatimes.com/engine/modules/news/article.php?storyid=150

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The first civilization of the Mesopotamian region was the Sumerians. The started building around 3000 BC, and controlled an area of several hundred square miles. The fought constantly, with one another and other civilizations, primarily over scarce resources. Their principal opponent was the Akkadians, a semitic people who migrated from the Arabian Peninsula. The Akkadian culture was absorbed into the Sumerian culture eventually. Their culture had an effective monarchy form of government, managing the country with middle level priests. The Sumerians are credited with inventing astrology, law (the Code of Hammurabi), beer-making, writing (in pictographs), and bureaucrats to help manage food production and distribution, among other duties.

The Sumerians were ruled by a priest-king and their gods had an anthropomorphic character. Hebrews in their culture saw this as a blasphemy against their god.

In 2340, the Akkadians, due to increased semitic migration and the leadership of the great military leader, Sargon, gained victory over Sumeria. The kingdom included most of the city-states of the previous kingdom and extended all the way to current-day Lebanon. Not much is know of the Akkadian culture, but they considered themselves semites because they were descendants of Shem, the son of Noah. The Akkadian rule did not last long. In 2125, the city of Ur revolted, and the Sumerians once again gaiined control.
Source(s):
http://wsu.edu/~dee/MESO/MESO.HTM

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