Covering Selective Events and Advances in This Region

TIMELINE FOR MIDDLE EAST-MEDITERRANEAN

(covering selective events and advances in this region)

Approximate Time Significant Events

6000 BC Early permanent settlements based on agriculture (egs. Catal

Huyuk, Jericho, Merimda ) – REGULAR FOOD SUPPLY

3000 BC Sumerian cities in existence, using irrigation of Tigris and

Euphrates Rivers – SPECIALIZED LABOR POSSIBLE

2900 BC (?) Egyptian cities begin along Nile – King (pharaoh) considered a

god – TRADE ROUTES ALREADY DEVELOPING

2500 BC Sumerian civilization in full flower – WRITTEN RECORDS,

CALENDAR, LITERATURE, CODES OF LAW

2300-2100 BC Sumerian cities fall under control of Semitic kings ( e.g. Sargon)

2000 BC (?) Beginnings of Minoan civilization on Crete – SEA TRADE

1800 BC (?) Hammurabi rules in Babylon – law code is most complete ancient

example based on compensation (“eye for an eye”)

1800 BC “Indo-Europeans” begin migrations into Asia Minor from the

Caucasus – horses, chariot revolutionize warfare

1700-1600 BC “Hysos” (foreigners) invade and conquer Egypt

1530 BC Egyptians regain control of Nile, begin expansion northward

1400 BC Phoenician cities growing on eastern Mediterranean; Minoan

civilization in full flower

1200 BC (?) Fall of Minoan civilization – causes unknown. Possible time of

exodus of Hebrews from Egypt.

1100-900 BC Hebrews fight for and gain control of Canaan; Solomon, king of

Judah, at height of Hebrew prosperity.

Ca. 750 BC Village of Rome established

750-600 BC Assyria rules over much of Asia Minor with professional armies

580 BC New Babylonian empire conquers Judah – “Babylonian captivity

for the Jews – DEVELOPMENT OF MONOTHEISM in

religion

550 BC Persians overthrow Babylonians, expand to control all of the

Mid-East

509 BC Republican form of government established in Rome

Ca. 505 BC Full democratic form of government in Athens

490-480 BC Two wars fought between Greek cities and Persian Empire

460-404 BC Series of wars (Peloponnesian Wars) fought among Greek cities

399 BC Trail and death of Socrates

352-346 BC Macedonians forcibly unite Greek city-states under Philip, the father of Alexander

342 BC Aristotle becomes tutor to Alexander

336 BC Philip dies, Alexander becomes emperor of Macedonia and Greek cities

334-323 BC Alexander invades, conquers Persian empire and pushes on toward India before dying of a fever; Hellenism (the spread of Greek culture) follows in the path of Alexander’s middle east conquests

264-146 BC Three Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage, during which Rome comes to dominate the Mediterranean, the Greek cities and much of the middle east. Greek culture in turn dominates Rome

44 BC Julius Caesar assassinated in Rome

31 BC Octavius (Caesar Augustus) becomes emperor of Rome

305 AD Constantine becomes a Christian, urges Christianity as the faith of the Roman Empire

330 AD Capitol of Roman Empire moved to Constantinople (today Istanbul). Empire begins to divide into east and west zones

361-363 AD Emperor Julian (The “Apostate”) attempts to restore the faith of the old gods as the major faith of the Roman Empire

410 AD Visigoths, led by Alaric, sack Rome, then withdraw

455 AD Vandals, a Germanic tribe, sack Rome and Empire in west collapses

476 AD A Germanic tribal leader of the Ostrogoths is named Roman Emperor by his generals, but in practice he and his successors become kings of central Italy