Getting An Online Tutoring Job

Getting An Online Tutoring JobOnline tutoring jobs are very popular in the present and they also help to provide the tutor with a second income. One of the most important reasons for the increasing popularity of this profession is that the tutor gets to spend quality time with their families while they are teaching in other parts of the world. But for the most part, the tutor does not have to work all the time and so they can make some time for themselves. They can spend it with their families or take up hobbies and the like.Learning English is a lot of fun. You learn a new language and also have the privilege of interacting with people from different cultures around the world. There are people who choose to teach English in a particular country for the purpose of livelihood and this is a very good way to earn money. However, if you are able to teach English in more than one country, it is very likely that you will be earning a lot of money.If you are planning to teach English in ano ther country, you should consider this option before moving to the other country itself. Online tutoring jobs are good for parents as well as for children. They help parents to set aside time for their children and thus helping them to learn at an earlier age. Children get to know more about life and this enables them to make some good decisions at an early age.As children get older, they can join the rest of the world and thus become more responsible for their own future. People get to keep in touch with others and this makes them more well-rounded and also gives them more time to enjoy life and spend time with their friends. Since English has many slang words that people do not understand and that they need an interpreter for, online tutoring jobs will make sure that the students get all the help they need to learn the English language.Teachers who are keen on teaching English can also get a small income by signing up with a tutor agency. These agencies generally offer an opportun ity for tutors to provide tuition in different classes. Students get to select from a wide range of subjects and they get to choose the tutor whom they would like to have in their class. The agency then pays the tutor in case he successfully completes the work.Online tutoring jobs also come up in the form of websites. There are many parents who are looking for someone to tutor their children. The reason for this is that the students need some professional guidance when it comes to dealing with different subjects. In fact, the parents are also keen on getting some help for their kids and online tutoring jobs are the perfect answer.Apart from the fact that the student gets to save a lot of money, he or she also gets to spend some time with his or her family without having to pay any college fee. Most parents want their children to excel in school and thus they need someone to help them with this. Since many people want to teach English and there are many agencies that offer tutoring s ervices, the demand for people to do this job is also increasing. So, this means that the future of online tutoring jobs is very bright.Some companies have started offering online tutoring jobs as well. They have also established online databases where students can find a tutor to help them with their studies.

Tips For Holiday Gift Giving At Work

Tips For Holiday Gift Giving At Work Image: Unsplash Ask around first This job may be your first job. Even if it is not, different companies have different policies about giving gifts and how it may be done. If you are unsure about your company’s policies, ask around to see what is the general rule. In general, the larger the company, the more policies there are likely to be around giving gifts. Find out if gifts are acceptable and which coworkers you should get something for. See if there are things that you should refrain from gifting altogether. Be considerate of coworkers If your workplace has a formal gift-giving practice in place, it may be easy for some of your coworkers to go all-out and buy huge presents for everyone. However, not everyone may be able to afford to get something for everyone, especially not at the same level. If a coworker you do not work with directly does not get you something, even if you get something for them, do not take it personally. They may have a difficult financial circumstance that they are working through and buying even a few gifts for their immediate coworkers may be straining them financially. Practice good etiquette Gift giving in any situation can be tricky, but it is even more so in the workplace. There are certain etiquette rules that need to be followed in order to make sure power dynamics are maintained. First, avoid buying your boss a gift as this can be seen by your boss as rewarding their power. Instead, consider getting them a card or bringing in baked goods to share with the office. Secondly, the best way to give gifts to coworkers is to do a Secret Santa. That way, no one feels pressured to participate, which is helpful if someone celebrates differently or does not have the means to afford giving gifts to coworkers. Set a price cap and make sure to enforce it. Also, there are certain etiquettes about what to buy and what gifts are appropriate or not. Buying gifts such as bath sets or jewelry that are used on the body can be seen as too personal for a work environment. Buying gag gifts may seem fun, but they may come across as tacky and unprofessional, so it is best to avoid them. If you are not planning on buying something for all of your coworkers, try to avoid handing out gifts in front of coworkers that you did not buy for. Instead, opt to meet for lunch or coffee to exchange gifts. On the flip side, avoid buying for everyone to make a statement. Gifts should be given to show appreciation, so give to those who helped you throughout the year. Be sure to send handwritten thank-you notes for any gifts you receive, even if you thank the person when you get the gift. In the note, be sure to say how much you appreciate the gift and how it has helped you in some way if it has. The person spent time and money to get you something, so express your gratitude. Keep your gifts affordable While it may be tempting to go all-out to show your coworkers that you appreciate them, remember that you are on a college student budget and that you likely have other people to shop for. However, there are affordable gifts that you can buy for coworkers that they will love and that will not break the bank. If you work in an office, office or school supplies are sure to be welcome since they are used on a daily basis. Also, a calendar or planner for the new year can help your coworkers organize projects and tasks they need to complete. Other items such as hand sanitizer and reusable water bottles can be useful while getting something personal that each individual will like. If you are participating in a secret Santa or an exchange that has a price limit, be mindful to stick to the limit. That way, you are showing that you can follow guidelines and you will not overspend. Remember student coworkers If you work on or near your campus, there are likely other students working with you that you can buy gifts for. Gift cards of any sort are appreciated since college students are usually on a budget. Buy a reusable travel coffee mug for someone you are buying a coffee shop gift card for so they can help reduce waste and get their favorite coffee. Random acts of kindness kits are perfect for students who want to make a difference but feel like they are unable to because of their budget or lack of time. Also, just think of something that would be useful for you to have and buy it for your coworker since they are in the same boat as you. You can also buy things based on their major. For example, if your coworker is a business major, you can buy them business cards (or a gift card to get their own) or a gift card to get business attire. Journalism and English majors love to write, so consider buying them a nice notebook or journal with a matching pen. Buying gifts based on their major will mean a lot to them since you put in the effort to get something special while still having it be professional. Consider the recipient While it is the thought that counts, you do not want to get a gift that may offend the recipient. You may want to get wine for someone, but that is not a good idea if you know they are a recovering alcoholic or are someone who has religious objections to drinking. As a general rule, avoid giving alcohol so that you do not offend anyone. Since you are giving the gifts to coworkers, avoid gag gifts as the recipient might take offense to it and it may make you seem unprofessional. Buy gifts that reflect the recipient’s interests and hobbies. Also, consider that those in your office are your coworkers. As such, avoid being too personal since you do have to maintain a professional image. If you are feeling some question about whether or not something you want to give is too personal or would make a coworker uncomfortable, err on the side of caution and find something else. Gifts for kids you nanny or babysit Nannying and babysitting are popular jobs for college students to have since the hours are flexible and they tend to pay well. If you know that the family you babysit or nanny for celebrates winter holidays, consider buying gifts for the kid(s) you watch. Some inexpensive ideas are coloring books and crayons, games, Play-doh, books, or chalk. Consider buying things that you can do together when you watch them. That way, you can have fun with them and they will remember who got them the gift. Team up to buy for your boss As mentioned before, try to avoid buying a present for your boss. This is because doing so may make you seem like you are trying to seek favor from your boss by flattering them with a present.   However, if you do want to do something, coordinate with coworkers to have everyone chip in some money to buy your boss something from all of you. That way, everyone can be involved with thanking your boss while keeping the power dynamic intact. This will also ensure that your boss can know that everyone appreciates him or her without one person having to worry about how their intentions look. Your personal relationship with your boss may be a factor, but it is definitely better to err on the side of caution. If you do decide to team up to buy something for your boss, you will want to make sure it is something he or she will use and is professional. Buy your boss a healthy snack subscription box, a set of nice notebooks, or a leather business cardholder. If your boss has been mentioning something that he or she needs, buy it. This will ensure that you are paying attention and are willing to help out. Image: Ben White via https://unsplash.com/photos/dddQHervE04 Participate in gift-giving festivities If your company has Secret Santa or White Elephant exchanges, make sure you participate. This is part of your company culture, so you want to be sure to make a great impression and be involved, even if it is not your dream job. Usually, there are cost limits so unless your religious beliefs prohibit you from participating, you should get involved. Ask around in advance so that you can start saving up money ahead of time so finances are not holding you back. Even if you do not have to buy gifts, you may be asked to chip in to help with parties or a general office gift pool. While you may not be obligated to chip in, studies show that participating may help you get promoted. If anything, it will help your coworkers and boss see that you do care about the office culture outside of your job. Think about your team Some companies are relatively small, so if you only have a handful of coworkers, consider buying each person a small token of gratitude for all they have done throughout the year. However, if you have several coworkers and no means of affording gifts for everyone, consider buying gifts for immediate managers and coworkers who have helped out. In this case, as mentioned previously, give these presents privately so that other coworkers do not get jealous or upset that you did not buy them something. Consider buying things for coworkers or mentors who went above and beyond to help you in some way through the year. Also, if you do have a small team and are planning on buying something for everyone, make sure that you keep things fair. Do not spend $50 on one coworker and only $5 on another. For those who are into supporting various causes, consider donating some money to a charity in their honor. Obligated or not? Remember, you are not obligated to buy every single person you work with a present. This may be difficult to remember if someone gives you a gift but you did not buy them something. Be sure to smile and thank them on the spot, and also remember to send them a thank you card. If you feel like you want to return the favor, consider getting them a gift card and include it with the thank you note. However, keep in mind that this is not mandatory and again, you are not obligated to buy them something just because they got something for you. Gifts to avoid giving coworkers While gifts are intended to be good, there are gifts to avoid giving so you do not come across as offensive. In general, cash is not acceptable. Instead, opt to give coworkers gift cards to their favorite stores or restaurants. Giving perfumes or anything else with fragrance can make it seem that you are telling your coworker that they smell. If you opt to donate money in someone’s honor, avoid giving to political or controversial organizations, especially to poke fun at someone. This may make you seem unprofessional and may cause drama in the office. Giving gifts around the holidays is tough, but adding an office environment into the mix can make it even more complicated. However, knowing the etiquette and your company’s policies can help you decide what to buy and who to buy for. When in doubt, ask around the office.

Benefits of a Chemistry Tutor

Benefits of a Chemistry TutorThe organic chemistry tutor is a different type of assistant and you might want to look for him or her in your college, university or secondary school. He or she can do many things for your college education and also help you with other things.It is the responsibility of the tutor to teach students about all the fundamental parts of learning chemistry. They are responsible for giving assignments for their subjects and will also supervise the students' work. If you are a very good student, he or she can make sure that your grades are not too low. If you are not very good, the tutor will surely help you with your mistakes.If you need assistance in doing chemical reactions, you should not bother searching for a teacher. You should always call a chemist who has a lab so he can assist you with all your problems. Some chemist in a laboratory will be very helpful and will also tell you where you can find the equipment you will need.Sometimes, a chemist might not be available in the campus and it will be necessary for you to leave the school and look for a chemist who can come to your place to help you. This is a great advantage for students who are on their own because they will no longer have to sit and wait for an appointment while the chemistry professor teaches in the classroom.The organic chemistry tutor will help you out with your classes and will take care of your studies as well. Some teachers are more interested in teaching others than teaching themselves. The organic chemistry tutor will do everything for the student who has a good attitude about studying.To make sure that you study well in college, the chemistry tutor should make sure that you are well organized. He will also encourage your love for chemistry.Thereare many benefits that you will get from this kind of help in college. These benefits include high scores for your college career, a great career in science, a great career in chemistry and a career in chemistry.

Taking the SAT Chemistry Subject Test Dates

Taking the SAT Chemistry Subject Test DatesIs it time to take the SAT Chemistry subject test? The answer to this question can depend on how much homework you do. Take a look at this basic study tip:Just like all the other sections, the SAT Chemistry test consists of multiple choice questions. This means that you have plenty of time to work through the content. This is a good time to focus on whatever areas of chemistry you need to focus on the most.While the science section of the SAT does have some similarities with the physics section, there are some differences. In physics, you have to refer to the directions and check the materials. When taking the SAT, you will not have to look at any instructions or the materials. In the end, this can make it easier for you to study.While there are different possible topics in the multiple choice section, the content can be somewhat similar. The entire SAT test will typically consist of two parts. The first part consists of the verbal portion a nd the second part consists of the math portion.While you will probably want to focus more on the math section in the SAT, you can also choose to study in both sections if you want to. The SAT science section will also have some text-based passages and activities. While they may not be as extensive as in the physics sections, you should still be able to take some time to study these parts if you want to.You should take the SAT test on the same day as your previous week's schedule. Some schools allow you to take the test on the following day, but you must notify them and allow enough time to get prepared. This is especially important if you take the SAT before the deadline for the fall semester. Many schools have varying rules about rescheduling tests after this point, so make sure to check with the school you are considering to see if they allow this type of test date.If you have a lot of homework to do, you may need to adjust your plans slightly. Be sure to use a study guide to get through your homework and study the parts thoroughly. Your preparation may pay off when the test date comes around.

Finding Percent Online Tutoring - Maths Tutors

Finding Percent Online Tutoring - Maths Tutors Percent means out of hundred. For example if we say Twenty one percent that meanstwenty one is divided by one hundred. We can say that the percentage is a fraction in which the denominator is one hundred. Any value which is too calculated is divided by one hundred to find the percentage. The fractions, decimal and the percentage are associated with each other. All these are interchangeable. The fraction can be changed into decimal and the decimal can be changed into the percentage. 21% = 21/100, 85% = 85/100, 63% = 63/100, 17% = 17/100 Multiplying percentage is associated to find the percentage. When any fraction or decimal is multiplied by one hundred we get the percentage. i.e (7/10)X 100 = 70%, (17/10) X 100 = 170%, (1/5) X 100 = 20% The decimal number can also be converted into percentage by multiplying it by one hundred and then removing the sign of the percentage. i.e 0.13 X 100 = 13%, 0.56 X 100 = 56%, 0.81X 100 = 81% When the cost of any item is doubled then two is multiplied by one hundred to get percentage and it is said the cost has been increased by two hundred percentages. When the cost of any item is reduced to half then half is multiplied by one hundred and it is said the cost has been decreased by fifty percent. i.e C.P = 46 S.P = 92 Profit in percentage = (92 46) X 100 /46 = 100%

The Beginners Guide to Arithmetic

The Beginners Guide to Arithmetic Everything You Need to Know About Learning Maths ChaptersWhat is Arithmetic?Finding the Best Arithmetic TutorResources Online for Arithmetic HelpCommon Arithmetic Questions and ExamplesWhether it’s basic elementary grade math or pre-algebra, many students in the UK struggle in arithmetic every year. While some teachers have turned to more creative approaches  in teaching elements in reading and maths courses, sometimes students and adults alike need a bit of extra support.Luckily, we've laid out a guide that can help you grasp everything to know about learning arithmetic. Starting with the history of the mathematics branch to how you can get online maths classes, get started on learning today!Having a maths tutor can help you solve math questions step by stepa x (b + c) = a x b + a x cThis law is extremely important in everything from polynomial functions to matrices and has many applications in the real world. Here’s an example of how this law can be used to simplify an algebraic expression.Take:4x + 3(x â€" 10)Using the distr ibutive law, we can see that in order to simplify this expression, we must distribute the 3 to get:4x + 3x â€" 30The next step again involves the distributive law. Looking above, we might know by habit that the next natural step would be to add 4x and 3x together to get 7x. However, the reason why we can do this in the first place lies with the distributive law.x(4+3) is another way of writing 4x + 3x before x is distributedNow, combining everything we’ve learned, the final answer gives us:7x â€" 30Learning maths should always be empowering and hopefully this guide has put you on the right track towards accomplishing your goals in the branch of arithmetic.

The Mesopotamian Civilisation

The Mesopotamian Civilisation What was Civilisation Like in Mesopotamia? ChaptersMesopotamia: Basic FactsReligion in MesopotamiaMyths and Legends of MesopotamiaMesopotamian CultureTechnological AdvancesThe Legacy of MesopotamiaQuick: scan your memory banks for any references to Mesopotamia: what do you come up with?Maybe you flashed on The Babylonian Marriage Market, painted by Edwin Long in 1875, or you remember thrilling to The Epic of Gilgamesh, a poem that originated in that region, which is often seen as the world’s oldest literary work.If you particularly enjoy films, you might have called up the Scorpion King franchise, starring The Rock and Michael Clark Duncan.There have been several works inspired by this ancient civilisation â€" paintings, operas, graphic novels and science fiction tales among them. But even taken together, they do not begin to encompass the magnitude of this ancient society.To truly understand life in Mesopotamia, the civilisation’s social structures, innovations and cultural advances, we have to travel back to a time wher e few written records remain.Piecing artefacts together, your Superprof now weaves a fabric of life in ancient Mesopotamia. MarkHistory Teacher 5.00 (3) £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors JohnHistory Teacher 5.00 (8) £30/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors MarjotteHistory Teacher 5.00 (4) £35/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ErinHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors ChantelleHistory Teacher 5.00 (2) £17/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors AndriyHistory Teacher £25/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors PeterHistory Teacher £40/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutors SerenaHistory Teacher £15/h1st lesson free!Discover all our tutorsMesopotamia: Basic Facts Mardin, an ancient city on the banks of the Tigris, was absorbed into the Assyrian Empire Image by Tuna Ölger from PixabayThe name comes from the Greek: ‘mesos’ meaning ‘middle’ and ‘potamos’, which translates to ‘river’, making the meaning ‘Land between the Rivers’.GeographyCradled within the Tigris-Euphrates river system, this was a rich, fertile land protected on the northeast side by the Zagros mountain range.A vast expanse of desert capped off the region’s north; travelling south, the land gets progressively wetter, dotted with marshes and mudflats.Seen on a contemporary map, the region referred to as Mesopotamia encompassed most of Iraq, Kuwait and parts of Syria, as well as southeastern Turkey.The major settlements â€" Babylon, Nineveh, Kalah and Arbela, as well as Assur (until Assyria broke away to form its own empire) all nestled on the east bank of the Tigris.This location afforded them plenty of water, whereas the cities to the west had to depend on the fickle Euphrates to deliver an inconstant supply of water.GovernmentMesopotamia was ruled by kings, emperors and series of rulers from the same family â€" dynasties.Of these, King Ur-Nammu left an amazing legacy: the world’s oldest complete legal code.When they happened, transfers of power were generally not peaceful; even within the dynasties, they were rather brutal. Invasions and takeovers, led by powerful men or families were generally how leadership was won.A prime example of such: the Sumerians, the oldest Mesopotamian civilisation (and one of the first in the world, along with Ancient Egyptians), were overtaken by the Akkadians.They were permitted to keep their culture and way of life; in fact, they swapped cultural elements, especially language, to the point that both societies were, at one time, bilingual.Eventually, the Sumerian language became completely subsumed. By 2,000BC, everyone throughout the empire spoke only Akkadian.Are you curious to know how closely the Mesopotamian civilisation resembles Ancient Egypt’s?Mesopotamia in Economic TermsIn the foothills of the Zagros mountains, it was relatively easy to farm but further south, agriculture was only possible with irrigation of dry lands and frequent drainage of wetter areas.After gaining control of water, harvests became bountiful â€" so much so that Akkadians could afford to engage in a bit of trade with their neighbours.As they did not employ slaves, they had to devise tools to make farming easier; the use of wooden plough blades permitted them to plant onions, turnips and barley.This area that millennia later was dubbed the Fertile Crescent is known as the cradle of civilisation.The ability to grow food allowed the people to settle, establish cities and form governments, and spurred them to intellectual discovery.Religion was exceedingly important to them for many reasons, one of them being that their temples functioned as banks.The earliest large-scale credit system was developed b y the Sumerians but it was the Babylonians who developed the first commercial banking system.Was there a rivalry between the two?Not necessarily. After the Akkadian Empire fell, the region split into two nations: Assyria occupied the north while the Babylonian Empire encompassed the south. Both countries spoke the same language and actively traded with one another.So this was a peaceful time in human history?Between power grabs and fighting for territory, one could hardly contend that these early civilisations were content to coexist.There would often be fighting between cities; those battles would sometimes be arbitrated by an official of a nearby neutral town. Thus, strategic alliances formed. Later, as the region was governed by a succession of emperors, they mostly fought against foreign powers.A prime example of such is Sargon the Great, humanity’s first emperor, who often led campaigns into neighbouring lands to appease his constant hunger for territory.In Mesopotamia, warri ng was a fact of life.What was life like in Aboriginal Australia? Madrasas such as this were built to further Islamic instruction Image by Tuna Ölger from PixabayReligion in MesopotamiaThe earliest colonies praised natural forces â€" wind, rain and sun, because they helped to sustain life. It was only later that those forces became personified and a religious hierarchy was established.Early on, the deities demonstrated a balance of power between males and females.For instance, An was the name given to the supreme god, their personification of the heavens. The goddess Ki represented the earth.The Sumerian word for ‘universe’ is an-ki, reflecting their two highest-ranked deities.Their cast of gods soon grew to represent every aspect of Sumerian life, from the god of water to the moon goddess.One their pantheon of gods was established to oversee daily life, Mesopotamians turned their minds to greater philosophical questions.‘Who am I?’ and ‘What is my purpose?’ - the answers were construed as having divine influence.As society evolved, so too did the people’s relationship with their gods; it became more personal and, as more believers worshipped in their own way, Mesopotamian religion became more fractured.That had the effect of weakening the overall bond to their pantheon of deities.When Cyrus the Great claimed Mesopotamian lands as a part of his Achaemenid Empire, the people more or less abandoned their religious beliefs in favour of the religion their conqueror brought: Syriac Christianity.Do you know the deities of the Incan Civilization?Omens played an important part in mythology; it was thought that the will of the gods could be divined if only one could interpret the clues they occasionally gave.As such, a treatise was compiled regarding signs from the gods: what it means should a being be born deformed, for example, or what destiny awaits a people whose city is perched on a hill.Immortality was a common theme in Mesopotamian mythology: Etana, a king with no heirs, liberated an eagle and flew on his back to the heavens. This was meant to serve as a cautionary tale, warning against dynasties.Adapa, who had vexed the gods and was summoned to them, was careful to not consume anything the gods offered him, thus staving off immortality.From these two examples, it would seem immortality was undesirable. On the other hand...Atrahasis had been warned by the gods that a great flood was imminent. He followed their advice and built a boat, in which he was able to withstand the water’s great power.Ishtar was the goddess of fertility and war. Her descent into the underworld and subsequent reemergence justified the seasonal change from winter to summer.Mesopotamian mythology is full of stories that have been ‘borrowed’ and incorporated into other societies’ belief systems. In fact, they resonate still today, having undergone revision to suit new religious beliefs.What beliefs did the Ancient Greeks hold as truth? As depicted in this Sumerian tablet, warring became a way of life Image by Mariusz Matuszewski from PixabayMesopotamian CultureEarly in forming the Mesopotamian civilization, males and females had equal social power, a facet of the social fabric that changed dramatically over time.Women held positions as high priestesses in Sumer. They could own property, benefit from education and engage in a trade.Later, as warring became a way of life, women lost much of their social power: they were denied the right to education or to a trade. Soon, the societal role of females was reduced to caring for the home and children.Subsequently, Mesopotamia’s patriarchal social structure influenced every aspect of life.What kind of life did they have? What kind of life did the Mayans have?A Life of Leisure?Assyrian kings especially enjoyed hunting and the rich played an early version of polo â€" men rode on other men’s shoulders, not horses. Boxing was also a popular sport; scenes of boxers and wres tlers frequently adorned artwork.Board games were quite popular then. In fact, what we know as backgammon originated in Mesopotamia. Oddly enough, Islam expressly forbids the game even though it was invented by their ancestors!For the particularly energetic, there was a game similar to rugby, played with a wooden ball.Besides these pastimes, singing and music were important cultural signatures.People would sing at home or in the marketplace; oftentimes, songs were composed specifically to entertain royalty.  There were also plenty of drinking songs sung; after all, the Mesopotamians regularly brewed beer and made wine.Frivolity aside, songs had a far more important role to play in Mesopotamian culture.There were renderings of specific events such as battles or coronations, and they were handed down through the generations, becoming, in effect, oral histories.Musical instruments such as the lute, drums and other percussion instruments must have made for lively entertainment, especial ly as the Mesopotamians had developed an early form of music notation.Besides entertaining royalty, these early musicians were called on to play at religious ceremonies, funerals and festivals.Mesopotamian FestivalsPredictably, many of this people’s rites revolved around natural phenomenon:Lunar cycles: waxing moons were thought to encourage agricultural abundance; waning moons were times of conservation, reflection on philosophical matters and a time to revere ancestors.Seasons: sowing and reaping; celebrating a bountiful harvest or, conversely if pickings had been sparse, to implore the gods to intervene ahead of the next growing seasonThe first full moon after the Spring Equinox: called the Akitu or ‘head of the year’ in AkkadianEquinoxes: the days of equal amounts of light and dark must be observed!Solstices: the longest days and nights deserved special considerationNaturally, the reigning monarch and local heroes would be regularly celebrated, with odes and epics composed in their honour; the aforementioned Epic of Gilgamesh is a fine example of such.The fact that these tales were written and still exist today suggest that they originated from a very intelligent, organised society.Discovering proof of those people’s ability to observe natural phenomena such as solstices and equinoxes leads archaeologists to conclude that those living in Mesopotamia were very clever indeed.Did their celestial observations bear any resemblance to those of the Aztec civilization? Cuneiform is one of the world's oldest writing systems Image by Mariusz Matuszewski from PixabayTechnological AdvancesWe’ve already hinted at how technologically advanced the Mesopotamians were: irrigating dry lands and draining swamps, building ploughs and increasingly sophisticated weaponry to fight their wars...Right now, what is furiously debated in academic halls is whether the screw pump was actually invented by Archimedes, as has been long-thought.Many now believe such a device was used to water the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which suggests the pump was invented some 350 years before he travelled to Egypt, making the device a Babylonian creation.Besides, a clay tablet with a description of how to cast a water screw in bronze, written in cuneiform by an Assyrian king, certainly lends credence to the new school of thought!Sumerian cuneiform is one of the earliest systems of writing, consisting of wedge-shaped marks in clay... another of Mesopotamia’s accomplishments.As the Mesopotamian civilisation endured for so long â€" by some accounts, more than seven millennia, they were instrumental in shaping the Bronze Ages, the Iron Age and Antiquity, meaning they were crucial to many of the innovations of that time.And, in case you were wondering, they invented the wheel!All of their innovation means that they left a substantial legacy.The Legacy of MesopotamiaPerhaps without knowing it, you use Mesopotamian math every day.Their numerical system, based on a value of 60, gave us the seconds, minutes and hours of our days. Ditto the number of degrees in a circle. We also got our 7-day week from them.While both Sumerian and Semitic languages were spoken in early Mesopotamia, cuneiform was invented for the Sumerian language only. This gave the world one of the earliest, complete writing systems.Thanks to this writing, today we understand and enjoy the culture and legends of a people long buried.Babylonian astronomers were adept at math, a faculty that permitted them to map the stars with stunning accuracy. Their ability to ‘predict’ eclipses and other celestial events helped priests plan for religious observances.Medicine: the Babylonians pioneered the concept of physical examinations, medical diagnosis and dispensing medicine by prescription.Logic and rationality featured heavily in medicine as in other aspects of life, including agriculture.Mesopotamia is called the cradle of civilization because it was there that the first societies took root and grew.Their knowledge and skill at planting and harvesting crops, directing water where it was needed and developing the skills needed to advance civil living â€" glass-making, textile weaving and water storage, made it possible for humankind to form nation-states, political systems, laws and religions.And, thanks to their skill at metalworking, more deadly weapons were designed, ensuring that warfare would continue to be a part of the human legacy.How do the Mesopotamian accomplishments com pare to those of other ancient civilisations?