Ancient Middle East 500 BCE

The earliest urban civilization in world history is taking shape in Mesopotamia.

A new civilization has now emerged in the Middle East, that of Ancient Egypt.

Already by this date some of the most iconic structures in world history, the Pyramids of Giza, have been built.

The first great empire of world history has now appeared in the Middle East.

The Akkadian empire has vanished, and the Sumerian city of Ur now controls a large territory.

The Amorites, a pastoral people, are invading the Sumerian culture area.

Hammurabi, king of Babylon, now rules Mesopotamia.

Strong and warlike pharaohs have founded the “New Kingdom” of ancient Egypt.

This is the high point of Bronze Age civilization in the Middle East.

The Assyrians are a growing power in the Middle East, while the kingdom of Israel splits into two.

The Assyrian empire now dominates much of the Middle East, and is still expanding.

The Assyrians have now expanded their empire by conquering Egypt.

The Babylonian empire, under its famous king Nebuchadnezzar, is now the wealthiest and most powerful state in the Middle East.