Timelines

Timechart of Early Mesopotamian History

Also see Biblical Timeline

Date (BC)AreaCity Event
3200
Near East
Farming, Clay bricks, irrigation canals, pottery and metallurgy
3100-2300
Southern Mesopotamia
The Ubaid culture flourishes
3000
Southern Mesopotamia
The Uruk period. Named after Uruk: an early city. First cities are created.
3000
Mesopotamia
Writing invented
2750
Mesopotamia
A Semitic people: the Akkadians begin to settle
2600
Mesopotamia
Wheeled transport introduced
2600
Ur
Ur is a leading center of civilization Sargon I becomes King-founds Akkadian dynasty
2400
Agade
Sargon I usurps the kingdom of Kish and builds a new city called Agade- Akkadian dynasty founded Early ziggurat
2371
Sumer & Akkad
Sargon I forms an empire in Sumer and Akkad
2255-2218
Agade
Naram-sin, grandson of Sargon I, becomes King and continues the empire
2230
Agade
Akkadian dynasty ends
2200
Northern Babylonia
The savage Gutians occupy northern Babylonia
2100
Lagash
The city of Lagash flourished during this time particularly under the King Gudea.
2100
Ur
Third dynasty of Ur forms extensive empire in Babylonia. Revival of the Sumerians as a political power
2100
Ur
Early ziggurat built
2000
Southern Mesopotamia
Ur and her empire collapses under the pressure of another group of people moving into Mesopotamia: the Amorites
2000
Mesopotamia
Amorites move into Mesopotamia
2006-1894
Babylonia
Isin-Larsa period: when Isin and Larsa were the dominant cities
1792-60
Babylon
Hammurapi rules
1763
Larsa
Larsa is overthrown by the Kassites
1757
Mari
Royal palace destroyed by the Babylonians
1415-1155
Southern Mesopotamia
Kassite invaders rule Babylon and most of southern Mesopotamia
1000
Assyria
Assyria becomes more important and begins to form an empire
612
Assyria
Assyria is defeated by the Medes and Babylonians
605-562
Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar II rules
539
Babylon
The Achaemenid (Persian) empire captures Babylon