Final answer:
The Mesopotamian empires, including Assyria, Assur, Nineveh, and Babylon, did indeed build their settlements close to bodies of water, which allowed for effective irrigation, agriculture, and trade. Additionally, the management of water resources and alliances among cities and empires were crucial to their development and stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
True Statement Regarding Ancient Mesopotamian Settlements
The statement that each empire in Ancient Mesopotamia, including Assyria, Assur, Nineveh, and Babylon, generally built close to water for food and transportation needs is true. Famous cities such as Ur, Babylon, and Nineveh in the Mesopotamia region relied on the control of water, primarily from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, for growing excess food and developing trade networks.
The importance of water led to the construction of extensive irrigation systems, which were crucial for agriculture and the establishment of large-scale settlements. These activities contributed to the development of notable civic structures, militaries for protection, and the management of resources including the oversight of roads and bridges that connected various parts of the empire, facilitating long-distance trade.
Furthermore, the need to regulate seasonal river flooding through communal efforts in hydrological management likely gave rise to governance systems that were necessary for coordinating such large-scale projects. This need for resource management combined with security concerns and the presence of natural resources influenced the emergence and growth of early cities.
The theory that smaller kingdoms would seek alliances and establish diplomatic relations with greater regional powers like Assyria, Babylonia, or the Hittite Empire to prevent wars and foster trade was a strategy observed in the region's political landscape. The Mesopotamian cities, while often warring among themselves, also understood the benefits of cooperation and diplomatic engagement to ensure their prosperity and survival.