Final answer:
Mesopotamia experienced significant conquest due to its geographic location and fertile land, competition for limited resources, and religious fervor and divine mandate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mesopotamia witnessed a significant amount of conquest for various reasons. One hypothesis is that the region's geographic location and fertile land played a crucial role. Mesopotamia's location between two major rivers, the Tigris and Euphrates, provided abundant water for irrigation and agriculture, allowing for the development of prosperous cities like Ur, Babylon, and Nineveh. The availability of excess food and control over water resources contributed to their success and attracted competing groups.
Another factor contributing to the conquest in Mesopotamia was competition for limited resources. The region lacked important natural resources like stone, precious metals, and timber, which had to be acquired through long-distance trade. This led to a constant need to secure these materials and maintain control over agricultural production and trade routes, inevitably resulting in conflicts and conquests.
Religious fervor and divine mandate could also be a motivating factor for conquest. The Assyrians, for example, believed in their patron god Ashur, who demanded the subservience of other peoples. This religious justification and the desire for dominance led the Assyrians to engage in annual military expeditions and conquer more territory.