The Calendar
The Mesopotamian solar year (governed by the sun) was divided into 2 seasons; the Summer and the Winter. The concept of a Lunar year (governed by the moon) also developed, and in most Sumerian cities by 2400 B.C.E they were using the 12 30-day-month per year calendar. This is the same calendars as we use, except for our use of 4 seadons in a year, and our more precise day-month ratios (30 days in some months, 31 days in others, etc.).
Legal Theory
Because of the ability to record messages, formalised rules became a possibility. Codes of conduct became possible through the ability to learn what to do and when during certain activities, and overall law flourished. It also allowed crimes and excuses to be processed and regulated. Just like today, where each citizen's crimes are documented by their name, and there are laws that govern our lives to help prevent accidents and problems in our society.
Another example of this is how the Mesopotamians developed the concept of taxes. Thanks to legal theory we can now pay our government with currency that they can then use to improve and manage our society.
Use of multiple languages
Both today and up to 5000 years ago, we know there are many different languages, each with extra variations. In modern day, we do too. Whilst the current two official languages in Iraq are Arabic and Kurdish, just like the the ever-competing Sumerian and Semitic Akkadian, there are many small regional languages, many of which are variations on either Arabic or Kurdish, or contain parts of Akkadian dialect as remnants from the ancient times.
The Mesopotamian solar year (governed by the sun) was divided into 2 seasons; the Summer and the Winter. The concept of a Lunar year (governed by the moon) also developed, and in most Sumerian cities by 2400 B.C.E they were using the 12 30-day-month per year calendar. This is the same calendars as we use, except for our use of 4 seadons in a year, and our more precise day-month ratios (30 days in some months, 31 days in others, etc.).
Legal Theory
Because of the ability to record messages, formalised rules became a possibility. Codes of conduct became possible through the ability to learn what to do and when during certain activities, and overall law flourished. It also allowed crimes and excuses to be processed and regulated. Just like today, where each citizen's crimes are documented by their name, and there are laws that govern our lives to help prevent accidents and problems in our society.
Another example of this is how the Mesopotamians developed the concept of taxes. Thanks to legal theory we can now pay our government with currency that they can then use to improve and manage our society.
Use of multiple languages
Both today and up to 5000 years ago, we know there are many different languages, each with extra variations. In modern day, we do too. Whilst the current two official languages in Iraq are Arabic and Kurdish, just like the the ever-competing Sumerian and Semitic Akkadian, there are many small regional languages, many of which are variations on either Arabic or Kurdish, or contain parts of Akkadian dialect as remnants from the ancient times.