Middle East 2500 BCE
The civilizations of Egypt and Mesopotamia are now flourishing in the Middle East.
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What is happening in Middle East in 2500BCE
The Sumerians
In the previous thousand years, the influence of Mesopotamian civilization has spread far and wide. This has been carried by the trade networks radiating outwards from the Sumerian cities. Towns and cities are now scattered over a large part of the Middle East, with outlying regions such as Asia Minor and Iran being drawn into the orbit of urban civilization.
The spread of trade routes is linked to a demand for tin and copper. The Sumerians alloy these two metals together to make bronze, which they use in weapons and armour.
Egypt
The second great civilization of the ancient world is now well established. Situated in the Nile valley, Egypt has already produced some of the most famous structures in all history, the great Pyramids of Giza.
Next map: Middle East 1500 BCE
Dig Deeper:
The History of Ancient Mesopotamia
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A Panoramic Overview of Early Civilizations
Changing Fortunes: Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt
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Civilizations related to Middle East
3500BCE - 300BCE Ancient Mesopotamia 3000BCE - 300BCE Ancient Egypt Civilization 1650BCE - 1200BCE The Hittites 1350BCE - 600BCE Assyrian Civilization 1300BCE - 550BCE Ancient Israel 1150BCE - 650BCE Phoenicians 550BCE - 650CE Ancient Persia 300BCE - 0CE Hellenistic civilization 50BCE - 500CE Roman Empire: Government and Society 600CE - 1250CE Islamic Caliphate 1200CE - 1450CE The Mongol Empire 1350CE - 1900CE Ottoman EmpireSubscribe for more great content – and remove ads
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 2500BCE
Europe is still inhabited by Stone Age farming peoples. Tribes speaking Indo-European languages are migrating into the continent from the east
Africa history 2500BCE
Ancient Egypt, one of the great civilizations of world history, has now full emerged in the Nile valley
India and South Asia history 2500BCE
One of the earliest civilizations in world history has emerged in ancient India, the Indus Valley civilization
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 2500BCE
Agriculture is spreading out from its core areas in ancient China, and one of the greatest civilizations in world history is emerging
South East Asia history 2500BCE
Population movements At around this time, a series of major population movements begin to affect this region. Starting in southern China and Taiwan, farming and fishing communities begin to move south and west, into the coasts and islands of South East Asia. These are the ancestors of today’s Malays, Polynesians and other Austronesian peoples, and […]
Oceania history 2500BCE
A new phase in technology is beginning in Australia, and the migration of the ancestors of the Polynesians has begun from south China
South America history 2500BCE
Large villages are developing along the Pacific coast, with temple-mounds and irrigation systems being constructed
North America history 2500BCE
The ancestors of the Inuit are arriving in North America
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
South East Asia history 3500BCE
Stone Age farmers and hunter-gatherers inhabit South East Asia
Oceania history 3500BCE
All the Pacific islands are uninhabited, except for Australia, New Guinea and the Solomons
South America history 3500BCE
Permanent villages have grown up along coasts and rivers
North America history 3500BCE
Hunter-gatherer cultures cover most of North America
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 1500BCE
Bronze Age farming cultures now cover most of Europe, and in the south-east, the first European civilizations now flourish in Crete and Greece
Africa history 1500BCE
New heights are achieved by the ancient civilization of Egypt, while south of the Sahara farmers pioneer tropical agriculture.
India and South Asia history 1500BCE
The history of ancient India is experiencing a dark age after the fall of the great Indus Valley civilization
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1500BCE
The first urban civilization has appeared in the ancient history of East Asia, under the Shang dynasty in China
South East Asia history 1500BCE
Major population movements affect this region from both east and west.
Oceania history 1500BCE
The ancestors of the Polynesians are beginning to settle the islands of the Pacific
South America history 1500BCE
The peoples of the Pacific coast are making strides towards civilization
North America history 1500BCE
Farming is spreading to eastern USA
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 1000BCE
Major population movements in Europe have caused widespread upheaval, and the Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations have vanished
Africa history 1000BCE
Farming and cattle herding is spreading in western and central Africa
India and South Asia history 1000BCE
In this dark age of ancient indian history the Aryan people are laying the foundations of future Indian civilization
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1000BCE
Ancient Chinese civilization expands under the Zhou dynasty, which will be the longest-lasting dynasty in China's history
South East Asia history 1000BCE
Large-scale popluation movements continue to affect this region
Oceania history 1000BCE
A new phase in technology is beginning in Australia, and the migration has begun from south China of the ancestors of the Polynesians
South America history 1000BCE
The first civilization in South America is in the making
North America history 1000BCE
The Olmec civilization has appeared in North America
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 500BCE
The Iron Age Celts and their relatives dominate much of Europe, whilst in the Mediterranean land a number of brilliant city-state civilizations, most notably the Greeks, now flourish
Africa history 500BCE
Bantu farmers from West Africa are beginning to spread out across the continent
India and South Asia history 30BCE
The Mauryan empire has vanished, and ancient India sees a new chapter in its history with invasions from Central Asia
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 500BCE
The philosopher Confucius, whose teachings will influence millions of people down to the present day, lives at this time
South East Asia history 30BCE
The first urban civilization of South East Asia has appeared, in Burma
Oceania history 30BCE
A new phase of Polynesian expansion in the Pacific is occurring
South America history 30BCE
The Moche and Nazca civilizations are now flourishing
North America history 30BCE
The Mayan civilization is emerging
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
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
North America history 200BCE
Several post-Olmec civilizations are emerging in different parts of Central America
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
South East Asia history 30BCE
The first urban civilization of South East Asia has appeared, in Burma
Oceania history 30BCE
A new phase of Polynesian expansion in the Pacific is occurring
South America history 30BCE
The Moche and Nazca civilizations are now flourishing
North America history 30BCE
The Mayan civilization is emerging
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 200CE
The Roman Empire has given much of Europe two centuries of peace and prosperity
Africa history 200CE
All of North Africa is now part of the Roman empire, while to the south the Bantu migration continues
India and South Asia history 200CE
The Kushana empire of ancient India is important to world history as a centre for the spread of Buddhism
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 200CE
The Han dynasty of China has dominated much of ancient East Asia for a long period of history - but not for much longer
South East Asia history 200CE
Indian-style kingdoms and principalities are appearing in South East Asia
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
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
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
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 750CE
Medieval Europe is beginning to emerge from the wreckage of the Ancient World.
India and South Asia history 750CE
At this stage in India's history, powerful regional kingdoms divide the subcontinent
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
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 979CE
Western Europe experiences internal wars and external attacks which bring widespread insecurity and lead to the rise of feudalism
India and South Asia history 979CE
This period of its history sees the south emerging as a major centre of Indian civilization
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
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
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
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Africa history 1453CE
New kingdoms are emerging in different parts of Africa
Oceania history 1453CE
Easter Island statues getting larger!
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1453CE
The history of the region has been dominated by the rise and fall of the Mongol empire, but Ming dynasty China is now at the centre of a tributary system spanning East Asia
Europe history 1453CE
The old feudal order and is beginning to give way to early modern Europe
India and South Asia history 1453CE
The history of India has entered a new phase with the dominance of Muslim-ruled states throughout most of the subcontinent.
South America history 1453CE
The Inca empire has begun its expansion
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
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
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
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Africa history 1789CE
The Atlantic Slave Trade is at its height, and having a destructive impact on wide areas of the African interior
Oceania history 1789CE
The first permanent European settlement has been established in Oceania, in south-west Australia, which has been claimed for the British empire
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1789CE
This is the last glorious phase of East Asia's history before it feels the West's impact, and Qing dynasty China dominates the region with its tributary system
Europe history 1789CE
The foundations for worldwide scientific and military dominance are being laid in the struggles between European nations
India and South Asia history 1789CE
India has entered a new chapter in its history with the expansion of the British empire in the subcontinent
South East Asia history 1789CE
Dutch commercial and political influence now spreads far and wide throughout the islands and coasts of South East Asia
North America history 1789CE
The USA is now an independent nation
South America history 1789CE
The Spanish and Portuguese empires rule most of South America between them
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
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
India and South Asia history 1837CE
The British empire now dominates most of India, marking the most radical change in the long history of the subcontinent
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
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Africa history 1871CE
European explorers have visited the interior of Africa
Oceania history 1871CE
The Pacific islands are falling under European control
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 1871CE
East Asian history has taken a radically new direction as Western powers force open the doors of China and Jappan to trade and missionary activity
Europe history 1871CE
Nationalism and industrialization continue to transform Europe
India and South Asia history 1871CE
The history of British India almost ended in a great rebellion, but the British were able to regain control
South East Asia history 1871CE
European power is growing in South East Asia
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
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
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
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Europe history 1960CE
Europe has experienced two devastating world wars, and is now divided between East and West
India and South Asia history 1960CE
The long history of India and South Asia has entered a new chapter with the replacement of the British empire by independent republics
South East Asia history 1960CE
The countries of South East Asia have become independent from their Western masters
South America history 1960CE
Eva Peron wins the hearts of Argentinians
North America history 1960CE
The USA and Canada have fought in the two world wars together
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
East Central Europe history 1960CE
Eastern-central Europe is divided amongst several countries, most now under Soviet control
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
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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