-
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.
-
2686-2134 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.
-
2500-1500 Indus River Valley, planned and grid cities. Likely destroyed by Aryans. Brick buildings, undecipherable language. Advanced sewer system
-
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.
-
1894-1595 Mesopotamian empire, invention of Hammurabi's Code. Set of rigid laws for daily life, applied to all of Mesopotamia. Lex Talionis, law of retaliation.
-
1766-1122 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.
-
1500-539 Maritime traders in Mediterranean, spread culture. Home place in Israel, Jordan. Spread literacy through 22-character alphabet. Carthage was a major colony.
-
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.
-
400-200 7 regional powers rise, fight for control of China. Qin dynasty wins, controls other powers and begins the Qin dynasty.
-
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.
