Middle East

[ll_billym]

Why is (loosly) Persia now Iran, Mesopotamia now Iraq, etc, etc? When / why did this change.

Thanks.

[Peter Pedant]

Post war treaty of versailles (1920s)

Mesopotamia just means middle river

actually between the rivers, to wit, Tigris and Euphrates in Greek and was part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. The last Sultan took a wrong turning and supported germany in the first world war and so lost his throne in the aftermath. The Turkish Empire was subdivided into mandates and given to the Brits and French to administer. An Arabist called Gertrude (Bell?) actually suggested the name Iraq. And the Brits put a king on the throne. 

 < /P>

IN terms of History, if you get tired of SEven Pillars of Wisdom, Laurence of Arabia and all that, read an account of the mesopotamian campaign, the retreat and surrender (of the British forces) at Kut, and the forced march to prison camps when 90% die from maltreatment. The Witch of Endor is one.

[ll_billym]

Thanks for the excellent answer.  I don't seem to be able to give you an official star rating so here one is: ***