What is Uruk most famous for?

Uruk is most famous as the city of the king Gilgamesh but also for a number of cultural developments including the refining of cuneiform script in c. 3200 BCE which is considered the birth of writing.

Does Uruk still exist today?

In the modern era, the ruins of Uruk are in Warka, Iraq. Uruk, is thought to have given rise to the modern name of Iraq.

When and why was Uruk abandoned?

Uruk was abandoned c. 300 CE owing to depletion of resources and its loss of status as a political and commercial power.

Uruk Timeline

Definition

Uruk was one of the most important cities (at one time, the most important) in ancient Mesopotamia. According to the Sumerian King List, it was founded by King Enmerkar c. 4500 BCE. Uruk is best known as the birthplace of writing c. 3200 BCE as well as for its architecture and other cultural innovations.

More about: Uruk

Timeline

c. 5400 BCE
The City of Eridu is founded.
c. 5000 BCE
Sumer inhabited by Ubaid people.
c. 4500 BCE
The City of Uruk founded.
4100 BCE - 2900 BCE
Uruk Period in Mesopotamia. First cities.
4100 BCE - 2900 BCE
Uruk Period in Sumer.
c. 4000 BCE
Creation at Uruk of first mass-produced bowls.
c. 3600 BCE
Invention of writing in Sumer at Uruk.
c. 3200 BCE
First instance of written language in Sumerian.
2900 BCE - 2334 BCE
The Early Dynastic Period in Sumer.
c. 2600 BCE
Uruk ruled by Gilgamesh for 126 years according to the Sumerian King List.
2100 BCE
Ziggurats in use in Sumerian cities of Eridu, Uruk, Ur, Nippur and elsewhere
2100 BCE
The Reign of Utu-Hegal at Uruk in Sumer and creation of Sumerian King List.
c. 2055 BCE - 2047 BCE
Utu Hegal's reign over Sumerian and Akkadian cities.
2047 BCE - 1750 BCE
The Ur III Period in Sumer. Great Wall of Uruk still standing.
1787 BCE
Hammurabi of Babylon conquers Uruk and Isin.