The factor that most contributed to the growing economies of Mesopotamia was the improvements to roads.
1. **Explanation**:
Improvements to roads played a crucial role in facilitating trade and transportation of goods in Mesopotamia. By constructing and maintaining a network of roads, the people of Mesopotamia were able to connect different regions, cities, and civilizations. This enabled the efficient exchange of goods, ideas, and resources, which in turn stimulated economic growth and development.
2. **Example**:
For instance, the construction of well-maintained roads such as the Royal Road in Mesopotamia allowed merchants to transport goods more easily and quickly between cities like Babylon, Nineveh, and Ur. This infrastructure improvement boosted trade activities, encouraged economic interactions, and ultimately contributed to the prosperity of the region.
In conclusion, while factors like new codes of law, military expansion, and new religious beliefs also had their significance in shaping the societies of Mesopotamia, it was the improvements to roads that had the most substantial impact on the growing economies of the region.
