Across
- 1. First ruler of the Neo-Babylonian Empire who achieved independence from Assyria.
- 6. Site of a battle between the Umayyad Caliphate and Husayn, grandson of Muhammad. The battle is commemorated as a tragedy in the annual Mourning of Muharram.
- 8. Cave home to some of the oldest recovered human remains in the world, with the most ancient around 60,000 years old.
- 10. City known for a mosque with a 52-meter-high spiral minaret.
- 15. Snowcapped mountains located near Choman.
- 16. In this port city along the Shatt al-Arab, temperatures regularly surpass 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit.)
- 19. First ruler of the Akkadian Empire.
- 20. Philosopher best known for translating Hellenic texts into Arabic and introduced Hindu numerals that would later become the modern Arabic numerals we use today.
- 25. Neo-Babylonian king known for his conquest of the Assyrian Empire.
- 27. One of the first pieces of epic poetry, about a king who seeks immortality.
- 29. One of the most prominent Iraqi Jews, he founded the Kingdom of Iraq after the fall of the Ottomans.
- 32. Famous lawgiver; his code included "an eye for an eye."
- 34. Al-Masudi's history that comprises both religious and historical events, ranging from Adam and Eve to the late Abbasid era.
- 36. Colorful mosque constructed under Al-Nasir that became an important gathering place in the resistance against British rule.
- 38. Yazidi human rights activist that founded Nadia's Initiative.
- 39. Internationally reviled leader executed for crimes against humanity. Contrary to popular belief, he was not Satan's ex.
- 40. Esteemed Abbasid poet who allegedly began writing at nine years old. A major street in Baghdad is named after him.
Down
- 2. Mosque dedicated to Imam Husayn's flagbearer.
- 3. Last great Sasanian king of Persia, known for his conquests against the Byzantines and, if Persian texts are to be believed, in love.
- 4. Traveler who documented the culture of the Volga Bulgars.
- 5. Dish containing rice, meat, and fried vegetables that is flipped upside-down when served.
- 7. One of the holiest cities in Shia Islam, as it is the burial place of Muhammad's son-in-law, Ali Ibn Abi Talib.
- 9. Capital of Iraq and center of the Islamic Golden Age.
- 11. Monument dedicated to Iraq's fallen soldiers, created after the Iran-Iraq War.
- 12. Bread notable for its usage of live-culture yogurt.
- 13. Fried carp dish with roots tracing back to early Mesopotamian civilizations; considered Iraq's national dish.
- 14. Massacre of the Yazidi people by the Islamic State.
- 17. Mosque with a distinctive minaret blown up by the Islamic State; it is currently under reconstruction.
- 18. One of the best preserved Sumerian ziggurats, excavated in the 1920s and 30s.
- 21. City home to a famous citadel; it's also home to a large number of Iraqi Turkmens.
- 22. Famous mythical sailor whose travels across Africa and South Asia contain tales of rocs (giant birds able to carry away elephants) and man-eating giants.
- 23. Rice dish served with slow-roasted lamb, raisins, and nuts.
- 24. Also known as the Arch of Ctesiphon (a former Iranian capital), this is the second-largest self-supporting brick arch in the world.
- 26. Written by Ibn al-Haytham, this text proposed the modern intromission theory (waves of light enter the eye, allowing vision) and contains early usage of the scientific method.
- 28. Sultan of Egypt and Syria and Muslim leader during the Second and Third Crusade, respected among Muslims and Christians for his virtue.
- 30. Capital of the Kurdistan region, and a major Assyrian city.
- 31. Military officer who came to rule Iraq when its monarchy fell.
- 33. Abbasid fortress named for a rebel leader and governor of Kufa.
- 35. Picturesque canyon located in Kurdistan.
- 36. Some of the most complete remains from the Parthian Empire, from a city destroyed in the 200s.
- 37. Abbasid king whose rule is credited with the beginning of the Islamic Golden Age.
- 38. City enclosing the remains of Nineveh.