| 3200 b.c.* | Rise of civilization in Sumer |
| 2900 | Union of Upper and Lower
Egypt |
| 2686-2181 | Old Kingdom: essential forms
of Egyptian civilization take shape |
| 2180 | Downfall of Akkadian empire |
| 1792-1750 | Hammurabi of Babylon brings
Akkad and Sumer under his control and fashions a code of laws |
| 1570 | Egyptians drive out Hyksos
and embark on empire building |
| 1369-1353 | Reign of Amenhotep IV: a
movement toward monotheism |
| 1200 | Fall of Hittite empire |
| 612 | Fall of Assyrian empire |
| 604-562 | Reign of Nebuchadnezzar:
height of Chaldean empire |
| 550-525 b.c. | Persian conquests form a
world empire |
*Most dates are approximations
