3000BCE- 200BCE

Invention of First Writing System

3000 BCE

The Mesopotamian's invented the first system of writing- cuneiform. Cuneiform was created initially to help keep track of tax records, but later emerged true forms of literature. This invention helped us get an accurate idea of dates and times to help track the progression of early civilizations.

Invention of the First Writing System

3000 BCE

The Mesopotamian's invented the first system of writing- cuneiform. Cuneiform was originally created to help the Mesopotamian's keep track of tax records, but later emerged to true forms of literature. Cuneiform helps us to keep track of dates and times important to the development of early civilizations.

The Bronze Age

3000 BCE

The creation of bronze helped to create stronger tools and weapons. This helped kick start agriculture developments like the bronze plow, and impacted warfare by shifting the balance of power. This period also impacted how we use long-distance trade and helped it flourish. Trade, agriculture, and military advancements all impacted empires and kingdoms.

The First Single Military Leader to Conquer Almost All Surrounding Cities

2340 BCE

Sargon the Great conquered and united almost all Mesopotamian cities, and started the world's first true empire. This event led to the expansion of the following leaders creating kingdoms and empires by conquering and battling surrounding areas. War, empires, and kingdoms were all huge influences in the development of civilizations.

Hammurabi's Code of Laws

1780 BCE

Hammurabi's code of laws helped lay out the foundations of many unspoken rules. Hammurabi's laws originally were created to help keep order and fairness within the Babylonian's. We still see many of these laws used today in the form of a common saying, "an eye for an eye".

The Hittites

1700 BCE

The Hittites connected many of the Mesopotamian cities and kept their developments and beliefs alive. They adopted the customs of those they conquered such as technologies and religions. I believe this links to western civilization as when the culture was spread, countries picked out certain aspects that they then used in their own cultures.

The Hebrews in Canaan

1207 BCE

The time of the Hebrews impacted civilizations in the impact of religion. Religion was becoming more popular and widespread. The three main religions were Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. These cultures were among the most important and still impact the world today.

Iron Age

1100 BCE

The Iron age helped civilizations develop stronger tools, weapons, and innovation. The Iron age helped to reestablish trade that fell during the previous "dark period". This later led to the development and prosperity of larger empires that changed how we saw the world.

The Phoenician's

1000 BCE

The Phoenician's were popular for their development in trade and new forms of writing. The Phoenicians are some of the first people thought to sail around the world, and had many cities that were crossroads for trade. The Phoenicians though were most popular for their development of a new style of writing- a syllabic alphabet. The syllabic alphabet focused more on sounds, and presented to be much less complex than the earlier forms. This was easy to pick up so more people could learn to write.

Assyrian Empire Begins to Rise

880 BCE

The Assyrian's grew to be the largest empire seen yet. The Assyrians were popular for their military tactics, organizational innovations, and technological innovations. Many great empires were influenced by the Assyrian empire.

Creation of Coins

650 BCE

The Lydian's stamped markings into lumps of silver and gold, calling them "staters". This led to the development of currency, which greatly impacted the economy with trade and tax collection. Without currency, trade would still be difficult as merchants would have to travel with many goods to very far places. Currency helped with tax collection and records which then strengthened ancient empires and kingdoms.