- 
  
  During 5000 BC, the Sumer formed the first cities, they used irrigation to farm large areas.
 - 
  
  4000 BC - The Sumer established powerful cities, they started building large ziggurats at the center of their cities as temples to their gods.
 - 
  
  3500 BC - Much of lower Mesopotamia is inhabited by numerous Sumer city-states such as Ur, Uruk, Eridu, Kish, Lagash, and Nippur.
 - 
  
  3300 BC - The Sumerians invent the first writing. They use pictures for words and inscribe them on clay tablets.
 - 
  
  3200 BC - The Sumerians begin to use the wheel on vehicles.
 - 
  
  
 - 
  
  3000 BC - The Sumerians start to implement mathematics using a number system with the base 60.
 - 
  
  2700 BC - The famous Sumerian King Gilgamesh rules the city-state of Ur.
 - 
  
  
 - 
  
  2400 BC - The Sumerian language is replaced by the Akkadian language as the primary spoken language in Mesopotamia.
 - 
  
  2330 BC - Sargon I of the Akkadians conquers most of the Sumerian city states and creates the world's first empire, the Akkadian Empire.
 - 
  
  2250 BC - King Naram-Sin of the Akkadians expands the empire to its largest state. He will rule for 50 years.
 - 
  
  2100 BC - After the Akkadian Empire crumbles, the Sumerians once again gain power. The city of Ur is rebuilt.
 - 
  
  2000 BC - The Elamites capture Ur.
 - 
  
  
 - 
  
  
 - 
  
  Blessings and Songs, such as The Song of Miriam.
 - 
  
  The Torah- the J source; Ruth; Job; First Isaiah; some minor prophets; first version of the history books of Deuteronomy.
 - 
  
  Ancient Greek Culture
 - 
  
  Second Isaiah; Jeremiah; Ezekiel; Deuteronomy is expanded; Psalms.
 - 
  
  The rest of the Torah; Third Isaiah; later prophets; Chronicles re-writes story of David to make it sound nicer.