古代两河流域文明运河功能探析

The Role of the Canal in the Mesopotamia Civilization

在古代两河流域文明的发展过程中,运河是一个具有标志性的符号。运河在不同历史时期发挥了疏通河道、灌溉、城市供水、运输、防御以及休闲文化功能。伴随着文明的演进,运河也被赋予了丰富的象征意义,成为国家兴亡、文明发展的标志。同时,运河的开凿、维护和使用也从一个侧面体现了古代两河流域王权观念以及国家制度建设和治理能力不断强化的过程。

The canal played a very important role in the ancient Mesopotamian history.It functioned as a damming,irrigating,water-providing,transporting,defending and entertaining facility throughout the different historical periods.It was given many symbolic meanings in the political and military spheres.Its building,maintenance and utilization highlighted the ideology of kingship and reflected the development of statecraft in the ancient Mesopotamian society.