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.