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What is happening in Iran in 30BCE
The Parthians, a nomadic tribe who took over a kingdom in northern Iran in around 250 BCE, successfully conquered all the provinces previously ruled by the Seleucids east of Syria. Iran is again the center of a large empire. The Parthians were aided in this by their pro-Greek policies, and the Greek-speaking cities continue to be centers of Hellenistic civilization. Along the northern borders, steppe nomads have continued to pose a threat, and more than one Parthian king has been killed in action against them. On the whole, the Parthians are successful in defending their territories, however. They themselves have their roots in the nomadic lifestyle of the steppes, and they have developed the first heavy armed cavalry force in world history, which is more than a match for horsemen of the central Asia. Perhaps as a result, nomadic invasions have been deflected east, towards India, where the Indo-Greek kingdom of Bactria has fallen to the Scythians.
This cavalry force – which, incidentally, enabled the Parthians to inflict one of the worst defeats on Rome in its entire history, at the battle of Carrhae (53 BCE) – is under the control of the Iranian nobility, and this, together with their wealth and the hold they have over the countryside, gives them immense influence at the Parthian court. Unfortunately their factional struggles have a tendency to undermine the stability of the Parthian government.
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What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Iraq history 30BCE
Although ruled by the Parthians, Mesopotamia still has many thriving Hellenistic cities
Turkey history 30BCE
Asia Minor has fallen under the power of Rome.
Egypt history 30BCE
Egyptian independence has come to an end with the death of its famous queen, Cleopatra
Arabia history 30BCE
Arabian civilization reaches a height of prosperity
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Iraq history 1500BCE
Powerful states such as Babylon and the Mitanni now rule Mesopotamia
Turkey history 1500BCE
The Hittite empire in Asia Minor is one of the leading powers of the age
Egypt history 1500BCE
The civilization of Ancient Egypt is entering one of the most glorious periods of its history
North East Africa history 1500BCE
The influence of Egypt is beginning to be felt
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Iraq history 1000BCE
The kingdoms of Assyria and Babylon have been greatly weakened by invasions from nomadic tribes
Syria history 1000BCE
The Phoenicians and Israelites are peoples who will change history
Egypt history 1000BCE
After centuries of greatness, the civilization of Ancient Egypt has now entered a long period of decline.
North East Africa history 1000BCE
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Greece and the Balkans history 500BCE
A great civilization has emerged in Greece, based on hundreds of small city-states
North East Africa history 500BCE
Nubian civilization is beginning to free itself from Egyptian dominance
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South East Asia history 200BCE
Indian traders are bringing Hinduism, Buddhism and other elements of Indian civilization to South East Asia
Oceania history 200BCE
A distinctive Polynesian culture is now evolving
South America history 200BCE
The spread of maize as a staple crop allows new areas to be settled by farmers
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Oceania history 200CE
Distinctive Polynesian societies are evolving on the various Pacific islands
South America history 200CE
The Moche have reached a high level of civilization
North America history 200CE
The Mayan civilization is now emerging
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Europe history 500CE
The western Roman empire has fallen to German invaders, but the eastern Roman empire remains intact
Africa history 500CE
A powerful new kingdom is arising in Ethiopia, while in West Africa trade routes across the Sahara are developing
India and South Asia history 500CE
This period of India's history has seen the rise of the Gupta dynasty, under whom ancient Indian civilization reaches its peak
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 500CE
At this phase in its history China is weak and divided, but its influence continues to spread through ancient East Asia, in Korea, Japan and Vietnam
South East Asia history 500CE
Indian civilization exerts a deep influence upon the kingdoms and peoples of South East Asia
Oceania history 500CE
The Polynesians have settled Hawaii and Easter Island
South America history 500CE
Large chiefdoms have emerged in Amazonia
North America history 500CE
The Hopewell culture has vanished
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Europe history 750CE
Medieval Europe is beginning to emerge from the wreckage of the Ancient World.
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 750CE
China is now united and powerful under the great Tang dynasty, one of the most glorious in its history, and exerts a huge influence on Japan and Korea
Africa history 750CE
Wealthy kingdoms are emerging in West Africa
South East Asia history 750CE
Chinese influence By this period, Chinese influence is growing in South East Asia. Under the powerful Tang dynasty, China’s trade with the countries of the region is expanding strongly, and one consequence of this may well be the rise of the maritime power of Sri Vijaya, which seems to enjoy a specially-favored status as a […]
Oceania history 750CE
The Polynesian colonization of the major Pacific islands is in its final phase
South America history 750CE
The Tiwanaku and Wari empires now dominate the highlands of Peru
North America history 750CE
The Pueblo culture is now developing
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Europe history 979CE
Western Europe experiences internal wars and external attacks which bring widespread insecurity and lead to the rise of feudalism
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 979CE
China's influence over Korea and Japan has diminished, but at home this phase of its history is a time of great advance
Africa history 979CE
West African kingdoms flourish
South East Asia history 979CE
Old kingdoms are disappearing and new ones emerging
Oceania history 979CE
Long-distance voyages remain a part of the Polynesian way of life
South America history 979CE
The Chimu empire has appeared on the Pacific coast
North America history 979CE
The Mayan civilization is now in decline, while the Mississippian culture is rising
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Africa history 1215CE
The expansion of trade in West Africa is leading to the rise of new kingdoms
Oceania history 1215CE
Polynesian colonists discover New Zealand
South America history 1215CE
The Chimu empire is now the leading state in the Pacific-Andean region
North America history 1215CE
The Toltec empire has vanished, and the Mexica people have appeared in history
Europe history 1215CE
European feudalism is at its height
South East Asia history 1215CE
The Khmer empire is at the height of its power, and the great temple of Angkor Wat has been built
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South East Asia history 1453CE
Muslim merchants have established a network of small sultanates in the region
North America history 1453CE
The Aztecs are now building their empire in Central America
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Europe history 1648CE
Developments such as the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the expansion of trade and colonization throughout the world, have transformed Europe
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1648CE
In China, the Qing dynasty rules, and Japan and Korea have experienced one of the most destructive wars in East Asian history
South East Asia history 1648CE
Europeans are beginning to make their presence felt in this region
Oceania history 1648CE
The first European sailors have now appeared in Oceania
Africa history 1648CE
Large numbers of Africans are being taken to the Americas as slaves
North America history 1648CE
North America is now being colonized by Europeans
South America history 1648CE
The Spanish and Portuguese now control much of South America
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Europe history 1789CE
The foundations for worldwide scientific and military dominance are being laid in the struggles between European nations
North America history 1648CE
North America is now being colonized by Europeans
South America history 1648CE
The Spanish and Portuguese now control much of South America
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Africa history 1837CE
The Zulu conquests are causing turmoil over a large part of south and central Africa
Oceania history 1837CE
European missionaries and traders are active throughout the Pacific
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1837CE
New intrusions into East Asian history, Western merchants and missionaries, are clamouring to be let into China and the other countries of East Asia
Europe history 1837CE
Europe continues to be transformed by intellectual change and industrial expansion
South East Asia history 1837CE
The British are acquiring more territories in the region
North America history 1837CE
The USA has purchased a vast territory from the French
South America history 1837CE
The countries of South America have won their independence from Spain and Portugal
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North America history 1871CE
The USA almost tore itself apart in civil war
South America history 1871CE
Foreign investment is pouring into some South American countries
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Europe history 1914CE
European nations now rule much of the world, but their rivalries are now leading them into the First World War
India and South Asia history 1914CE
The history of the British empire in India reaches its height - but it will shortly come to an end
South East Asia history 1914CE
The European powers have shared out most of South East Asia amongst themselves
South America history 1914CE
Brazil, Argentina and Chile are growing wealthy
North America history 1914CE
Canada and the USA have experienced huge industrial expansion
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1914CE
Japan has successfully modernized, and has gained international status at the expense of China and Korea
Oceania history 1914CE
All the Pacific islands have fallen under foreign control
Africa history 1914CE
The European powers have divided almost the whole of Africa up between them
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Oceania history 1960CE
Many Pacific islands were caught up in the fierce fighting of World War 2
Africa history 1960CE
The European nations are starting to withdraw from the empires in Africa
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Europe history 2005CE
Most of Europe now belongs to the EU
India and South Asia history 2005CE
The history of India and Pakistan has been characterised by mutual hostility
South East Asia history 2005CE
South East Asia has experienced dramatic economic growth
South America history 2005CE
Many countries of South America have swung, first to dictatorship, and then to democracy
North America history 2005CE
The NAFTA trade agreement is benefitting the economies of all North American countries
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 2005CE
The recent histories of all the nations of East Asia, China, Japan and Korea, have seen them become major economic powerhouses in the world
Oceania history 2005CE
Many new independent nations now dot the Pacific Ocean
Africa history 2005CE
All European powers have withdrawn from their empires in Africa
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