Venerated as the cradle of civilization since the days of ancient Mesopotamia, Iraq served as an intellectual and cultural center in the Arab world for much of its history. Unwilling to let the turbulence of the 20th and 21st centuries eclipse their rich culture and society, the Iraqi people endeavor to secure a hopeful, prosperous future for their country. This thoughtful volume chronicles the major events in Iraqi history and the traditions, customs, and ideas that have shaped its trajectory since the Arab conquests.