Foundations

By bbower23
  • 3000 BCE

    Sumeria

    Sumeria
    3000-2000 Development of Cuneiform writing, write Epic of Gilgamesh, first written story. Polytheistic. City states in Mesopotamia, created metals and complex maths. Ziggurats are marketplaces.
  • 2686 BCE

    Egyptian Old Kingdom

    Egyptian Old Kingdom
    2686-2134 Dynasties in Egypt, control of much of trade through Nile. Building of pyramids, including great Pyramids of Giza. Large central government, reliance on peasants and slaves to perform labor on public works.
  • 2500 BCE

    Harappa and Mohenjo-daro

    Harappa and Mohenjo-daro
    2500-1500 Indus River Valley, planned and grid cities. Likely destroyed by Aryans. Brick buildings, undecipherable language. Advanced sewer system
  • 2334 BCE

    Akkadian Empire

    Akkadian Empire
    2334-2279 World's first true empire. Sargon of Akkad conquered most of Mesopotamia, with a strong army. Realm was too large, peoples conquered resented Akkadian presence.
  • 1894 BCE

    Babylonia

    Babylonia
    1894-1595 Mesopotamian empire, invention of Hammurabi's Code. Set of rigid laws for daily life, applied to all of Mesopotamia. Lex Talionis, law of retaliation.
  • 1766 BCE

    Shang Dynasty

    Shang Dynasty
    1766-1122 Lots of archaeological evidence survives. Important bronze industry, monopolized by elites. Surpluses support large armies. Towns were walled and capital moved 6 times. Kings tombs were lavish.
  • 1500 BCE

    Phoenician Empire

    Phoenician Empire
    1500-539 Maritime traders in Mediterranean, spread culture. Home place in Israel, Jordan. Spread literacy through 22-character alphabet. Carthage was a major colony.
  • 1122 BCE

    Zhou Dynasty

    Zhou Dynasty
    1122-256 Zhou eclipsed Shang, started the Mandate of Heaven to justify takeover. Decentralized, with relatives sent to rule various regions. Regional powers rise. Iron metallurgy eclipses bronze. Nomads sack Zhou capital, chaos during warring states period.
  • 400 BCE

    Warring States Period

    Warring States Period
    400-200 7 regional powers rise, fight for control of China. Qin dynasty wins, controls other powers and begins the Qin dynasty.
  • 300 BCE

    Mayan Empire

    Mayan Empire
    300- 900 CE Complex society in Mesoamerica. Ritual sacrifice of POW's, enslavement. Terrace farming and large cities. Invented number 0, nearly exact solar calendar and 260 day ritual calendar. Knowledge of calendar is priestly. Ball game for enemies, bloodletting rituals for gods.