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Middle East

By MargaretHtun
  • 6000 BCE

    Irrigation in Mesopotamia

    Irrigation in Mesopotamia
    By 6,000 BCE, artificial irrigation had begun, leading to increased population and state building.
  • 5000 BCE

    Sumer

    Sumer
    The first state to arise in world history was Sumer, around 5,000 BCE. It grew into a society including Jews, Arabs and Phoenicians. Sumer came to dominate Mesopotamia.
  • 4000 BCE

    Invention of Bronze

    Invention of Bronze
    Around 4,000 BCE, came inventions in bronze. It was used to make military weapons and tools.
  • 3500 BCE

    The Wheel

    The Wheel
    About 3,500 BCE, the wheel was used for easy transportation.
  • 3500 BCE

    Writing

    Writing
    Around 3,500 BCE, writing first emerged fast in Sumer. First there were pictographs then cuneiform.
  • 500 BCE

    Persian Wars

    Persian Wars
    In 500 BCE, the Greek cities of Anatolia rebelled and reasserted their independence, launching a series of conflicts known as the Persian wars.
  • 16 BCE

    The Hittites

    The Hittites
    In the early 16th century BCE, overthrowing the Babylonians, the Hittites built a powerful kingdom and were among the most influential members of the migrating group into Mesopotamia and other lands.
  • 6 BCE

    Cyrus the Great

    Cyrus the Great
    In the 6th century BCE, the Medes and Persians launched a wave of conquest under Cyrus the Great. They were able to dominate a huge empire spreading from India to Egypt.
  • 7

    Spread of Islam

    Spread of Islam
    In the 7th century, the spread of Islam and Islamic empires capture vital Byzantine territory.
  • 15

    Islamic Empire

    Islamic Empire
    In the 15th century, when Europeans were trying to reach Asia, the Islamic Empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean. Making it the largest empire at the time.
  • 340

    Byzantium

    Byzantium
    In 340 CE, Byzantium became the center of an empire following the the Roman emperor Constantine’s decision to locate his new capital city.
  • 532

    Justinian

    Justinian
    In 532 CE, there were tempers flaring over horse races that helped Byzantine’s emperor Justinian become a powerful ruler.
  • 632

    Muhammad

    Muhammad
    In 632 CE, the prophet Muhammad returned to his home city of Mecca, beginning the tradition of the Haji.
  • 1000

    Falling of Byzantium Empire

    Falling of Byzantium Empire
    By the year 1000 CE, the Byzantium Empire entered a period of decline. The empire lost valuable land and had few opportunities for expansion.