 Over time, Mesopotamia would see the rise and fall of many great civilizations that would make the region one of the most vibrant and colorful in history, including empires like that of the Assyrians and trade kingdoms such as the Lydians and Phoenicians, all of which were influential on neighboring civilizations.North-West of Mesopotamia were the Hittites, who were probably the first people to use Iron weapons.To the southwest was Egypt, a land with rich resources that sustained a thriving culture.