Early Civilizations: 3,000 bce - 750 bce




Mesopotamia (Sumerians and Akkadians):

  • Emergence of the Sumerian civilization and the invention of cuneiform writing (c. 3200 BCE).

  • The Akkadian Empire, led by Sargon of Akkad, becomes the first known empire (c. 2334-2154 BCE).

  • Development of early legal codes, including the Code of Ur-Nammu and the more famous Code of Hammurabi (c. 1754 BCE).


Ancient Egypt:

  • The unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under Narmer, marking the beginning of ancient Egyptian civilization (c. 3100 BCE).

  • Construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza (c. 2580-2560 BCE).

  • The First Intermediate Period, a time of political fragmentation and regional strife (c. 2181-2055 BCE).


Indus Valley Civilization:

  • Flourishing of the Indus Valley Civilization with well-planned cities like Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa (c. 3300-1300 BCE).

  • Decline and eventual collapse of the civilization, possibly due to environmental factors and invasions.


China (Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties):

  • The Xia Dynasty, considered the first dynasty in Chinese history (c. 2100-1600 BCE).

  • The Shang Dynasty, known for its oracle bone script and bronze metallurgy (c. 1600-1046 BCE).

  • The Zhou Dynasty, which saw the development of Confucianism and Daoism (c. 1046-256 BCE).


Ancient Greece:

  • The emergence of early Greek city-states, known as polis (c. 800-750 BCE).

  • The development of the Greek alphabet based on the Phoenician script.

  • The Homeric epics, including the Iliad and the Odyssey, providing insights into early Greek culture.


Ancient Israel:

  • The period of the Judges, a time of tribal leadership (c. 1200-1020 BCE).

  • The establishment of the United Monarchy under King Saul, David, and Solomon (c. 1020-922 BCE).

  • The construction of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem.


Ancient Persia (Elam and the rise of the Persian Empire):

  • Elamite civilization in present-day southwestern Iran (c. 2700-539 BCE).

  • The rise of the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great (c. 550 BCE), leading to the Achaemenid Empire.


Ancient India (Vedic Period):

  • The composition of the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism (c. 1500-1200 BCE).

  • The emergence of early Vedic society, including the caste system.


Mesoamerica (Olmec Civilization):

  • The rise of the Olmec civilization in present-day Mexico (c. 1400-400 BCE).

  • The creation of large stone heads and other monumental art.


Africa (Kush and Nubia):

  • The emergence of the Kingdom of Kush in Nubia (modern-day Sudan) and its interactions with ancient Egypt.