The ancient city known as the "Cradle of Civilization" is often identified as Mesopotamia, particularly the area around the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which includes cities like Uruk and Babylon. This designation arises from its critical role in the formation of early complex societies, where humans first developed agriculture, writing, and urbanization. Mesopotamia is credited with significant advancements in governance, law, and technology, fostering the rise of some of the world’s earliest empires. The term can also refer broadly to various ancient civilizations, but Mesopotamia remains the most widely recognized example due to its profound influence on subsequent cultures.