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The Sumerians occupied Mesopotamia, creating its first civilization.
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Sumerians invent the oldest writing system
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King Sargon of Akkad begins to conquer the first empire in history.
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After the city of Ur becomes the most powerful city-state in Mesopotamia, it starts to decline. The Amorites, nomadic people, start moving into Mesopotamia, marking the decline of the Sumerians.
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King Hammurabi of Babylon conquers a large empire. He establishes the Code of Hammurabi and Babylon soon takes over much of Mesopotamia. His empire begins to decline immediately after his death.
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Babylonia is conquered by the Kassites, who rule the area for 400+ years
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The Mitanni, conquer northern Mesopotamia, plus areas of Syria and Asia Minor. After 200 years the kingdom of Assyria conquers northern Mesopotamia from the Mitanni
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The Assyrians begin to use iron weapons and chariots.
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Nabopolassar takes control of Babylon back from the Assyrians and crowns himself king. The neo-Babylonian empire begins
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Nabopolassar dies and Nebuchadnezzar II becomes King of Babylon. He will rule for 43 years and bring the Babylonian Empire to its peak.