Civilisations Whose Names Changed

              𝐂𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝

𝟏. 𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐪

Historical Background: Mesopotamia, often referred to as the "Cradle of Civilization," is located between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, in what is now modern-day Iraq. It was home to some of the earliest human civilizations, including the Sumerians, Akkadians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. The region was known for the development of writing, urbanization, and complex societies. Over time, the land became part of various empires, such as the Persian Empire and later the Islamic Caliphates. The name "Iraq" began to be used in the 6th century during the Sassanid Empire, and it became the official name of the modern state after the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century.

𝟐. 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧

Historical Background: The Indus Valley Civilization was one of the world's earliest urban cultures, flourishing around 2600-1900 BCE in what is today Pakistan and northwest India. Known for its advanced cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa, the civilization developed early forms of writing, architecture, and social organization. After the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, the region saw a series of empires and invasions, including the Maurya and Gupta Empires, and later the Islamic Caliphates. In 1947, following the end of British rule in India, the region became the independent state of Pakistan, a name that reflects the Islamic identity of the new nation.

𝟑. 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐲

Historical Background: The Roman Empire, which at its height in 117 AD encompassed much of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, was one of the most powerful empires in history. The city of Rome was the heart of this empire, which left a lasting legacy on law, government, architecture, and language. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, the region fragmented into various kingdoms and states. The modern nation-state of Italy was unified in the 19th century, but the Roman legacy continues to be a significant part of its cultural heritage.

𝟒. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐧

Historical Background: Persia, known for its rich history of empires such as the Achaemenid, Parthian, and Sassanid, was one of the most significant ancient civilizations, contributing greatly to art, science, and governance. The name "Persia" was used by Westerners for centuries, derived from "Pars," a region of the empire. However, the local name for the country has always been "Iran," meaning "Land of the Aryans." In 1935, Reza Shah requested that the international community refer to the country as Iran, aligning the name with what its inhabitants had called it for millennia.