West Asia

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Timeline: West Asia

Years: c. 90,000 years ago - 2011	Subject: Encyclopedias, Geographical reference
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191736018

Jump to a year:

BCE CE

Year	Event
c. 90,000 years ago	Fossilized bones found in the caves of Skhul and Qafzeh, in modern Israel, are of anatomically modern humans Go to Homo sapiens in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Science Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 12,000 years ago	A canine jaw, discovered in a cave in Mesopotamia, is the earliest evidence of the domestication of dogs Go to Mesolithic in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Science Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 8000 BCE	Human communities in the Middle East cultivate crops and domesticate animals, in the Neolithic Revolution Go to Neolithic in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Science Asia Wheat is grown in the Middle East - the first cereal cultivated by man Go to Ali Kosh, Iran in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Science Asia Sheep are the first farm animals of which evidence of domestication survives, from a settlement in northern Iraq Go to Jarmo, Iraq in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Science Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Jericho, often quoted as the first town, grows into a settlement covering ten acres Go to Jericho in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Architecture Science Asia Palestine and Israel Sun-dried bricks are used in the construction of buildings in Jericho Go to mud brick in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Architecture Social and domestic Asia Palestine and Israel Society The tower at Jericho is the world's earliest surviving fortification Go to Jericho in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic War Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 7000 BCE	Neolithic communities in eastern Anatolia make implements of hammered copper - the first tentative step out of the Stone Age Go to copper in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Science Social and domestic Technology Inventions and discoveries Asia Turkey Society Barley is cultivated in the Middle East Go to Ali Kosh, Iran in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Social and domestic Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Society
c. 6500 BCE	Catal Huyuk, in Anatolia, is the most extensive surviving example of a neolithic town Go to Neolithic in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Science Social and domestic Asia Turkey Society The neolithic town of Catal Huyuk has rectangular rooms with windows, a design with lasting appeal Go to Neolithic in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Architecture Science Asia Turkey Pottery fragments of this date survive in the neolithic site of Catal Huyuk Go to Neolithic in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Arts Decorative arts Science Asia Turkey
c. 5800 BCE	Fragments of cloth, woven in Catal Huyuk, survive because they are carbonized in a fire Go to Neolithic in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Science Technology Asia Turkey
c. 4000 BCE	Oxen are the first draught animals, in use at this time in the Middle East and in Europe Go to Land Transportation in The Oxford Companion to Archaeology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Social and domestic Asia Society In Mesopotamia, and on the grass steppes of southern Russia, oxen are used to pull heavy loads on sledges Go to Land Transportation in The Oxford Companion to Archaeology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Technology Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Europe Russia A simple hand-held plough is in use in Egypt and Mesopotamia, at least 1000 years before a heavier version is pulled by oxen Go to Land Transportation in The Oxford Companion to Archaeology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Technology Inventions and discoveries Mesopotamia Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Iraq Beer is brewed in Mesopotamia, where barley is an indigenous crop Go to Beer and Brewing in The Oxford Companion to Archaeology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic Social and domestic Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Society
3761 BCE	Later selected by Hebrew scholars as the date when the world began, this becomes the first year (AM 1) in Jewish chronology Go to Jewish in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Judaism Science Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 3100 BCE	Sumer develops as the first centre of Mesopotamian civilization Go to Sumer in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory Neolithic 3100-1000 BCE Politics Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Writing is developed, at Sumer, as cuneiform script on clay tablets Go to Sumer in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory 3100-1000 BCE Communication Mesopotamia Asia Iraq The invention of writing marks the transition, in academic terms, from prehistory to history Go to writing in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Prehistory 3100-1000 BCE Communication Mesopotamia Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Iraq
c. 3000 BCE	The lever is in use in both Mesopotamia and Egypt Go to Egyptian and Mesopotamian technology in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Technology Inventions and discoveries Mesopotamia Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Iraq Oxen are given the heavy work of pulling the plough, previously done by men Go to plough in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Neolithic 3100-1000 BCE Social and domestic Africa North Africa Asia Society Potters in Mesopotamia turn their pots on wheels Go to potter's wheel in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Technology Inventions and discoveries Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Semitic tribes move up from the Arabian peninsula, through Sinai into Palestine and Syria Go to Sumer in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Migration Asia Society The earliest known currency, consisting of gold bars, is in use in Egypt and Mesopotamia Go to Sumer in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Commerce and industry Mesopotamia Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Iraq Society
c. 2800 BCE	Objects are cast in bronze, at Ur in Mesopotamia - introducing what is later called the Bronze Age Go to Bronze Age in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Technology Inventions and discoveries Mesopotamia Asia Iraq The harp and the lyre are in use as musical instruments in Mesopotamia Go to lyre in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Performing arts Music Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 2600 BCE	The Canaanites migrate into the region which will become known by their name, establishing themselves around what is now Jerusalem Go to Canaanites in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Migration Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Society
c. 2500 BCE	The treasures found in the royal cemetery at Ur include a depiction of soldiers in copper helmets, armed with battleaxes Go to Ur in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Arts Decorative arts Weapons Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Some ninety royal servants, including soldiers, grooms and female musicians, are buried alive in the tomb of a royal couple at Ur Go to Ur, Iraq in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Religion Social and domestic Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Society Enuma Elish, the Babylonian creation story, spreads in oral form Go to Enuma Elish in A Dictionary of Creation Myths (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Neolithic 3100-1000 BCE Literature Religion Mesopotamia Asia Iraq The ruling family of Ur plays a board game which appears to be the same as modern backgammon Go to Ur, Iraq in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Sports and games Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Society
c. 2400 BCE	Clay tablets discovered at Ebla reveal a busy trading economy reinforced by aggressive military policies Go to Ebla in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Commerce and industry Asia Lebanon and Syria Society The rich trading city of Mari, on the Euphrates, is an important centre in northern Mesopotamia Go to Mari, Iran in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Neolithic 3100-1000 BCE Mesopotamia Asia Lebanon and Syria
c. 2350 BCE	Sargon conquers the other Mesopotamian states and establishes a dynasty with a new capital at Akkad, close to modern Baghdad Go to Sargon in The Oxford Companion to World Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
2000 BCE	The god Ashur is worshipped at a shrine on the Tigris known by his name (the origin of the word Assyria) Go to Ashur in The Oxford Companion to World Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Religion Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria
c. 1830 BCE	Babylonia or Babylon is a tiny region, about 50 miles across, when Amorites establish there the first Babylonian dynasty Go to Babylon in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 1800 BCE	Abraham leaves Ur and moves with his tribe and flocks towards Canaan Go to Abraham in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Judaism Migration Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Society In Mesopotamia the new weapon is a light chariot, drawn by two horses Go to chariot in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Weapons Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 1750 BCE	Shamshi-Adad I conquers Ashur and the surrounding areas, beginning Assyria's first brief period as a regional power Go to Assyria in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria Babylonian astronomers name many of the constellations and identify the planets Go to Babylonia in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Science Astronomy and space Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Zimri-Lim builds himself a spectacular palace with some 300 rooms in his capital city of Mari to the north of Babylon Go to Mari, Iran in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Mesopotamia Asia Lebanon and Syria Priests in Babylon make loans from the temple treasure, introducing the concept of banking Go to banks in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Commerce and industry Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Society The Babylonians introduce an important step in the story of arithmetic - the concept of place value in numbers Go to place value notation in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (4 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Science Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 1740 BCE	Shamshi-Adad I conquers the rich and ancient kingdom of Mari, and puts on the throne his son Yasmah-Adad Go to Mari, Iran in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria
c. 1728 BCE	Hammurabi inherits the relatively minor kingdom of Babylon Go to Hammurabi in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Hammurabi begins a programme of conquest and coalition which will vastly extend the Babylonian empire Go to HAMMURABI in The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 1720 BCE	The Code of Hammurabi gives a detailed picture of Babylonian law and society Go to HAMMURABI in The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Mesopotamia Asia Iraq The Code of Hammurabi is the first surviving document to record the law relating to slaves Go to HAMMURABI in The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Slavery Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Society
c. 1700 BCE	Hammurabi, in the process of winning control over the whole of Mesopotamia, conquers the northern territories of Mari and Ashur Go to HAMMURABI in The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria The Hittites build an empire based on their stronghold at Hattusa (now Bogazkale) in Anatolia Go to Hittites in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Turkey More than 25,000 cuneiform tablets (unearthed since 1933 at Mari) provide a detailed account of Assyria in the late 18th century BC Go to Mari Tablets in The Oxford Companion to the Bible (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Mesopotamia Asia Lebanon and Syria Ashur, or Assyria, sinks into almost a millennium of fluctuating but largely diminished fortunes Go to Assyria in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria
c. 1630 BCE	The Hyksos, arriving from the middle east, win control of Egypt and rule for a century Go to Hyksos in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Africa North Africa Egypt Asia
c. 1531 BCE	Babylon is destroyed by the Hittites, invaders from Anatolia, but re-establishes itself in subsequent centuries Go to Babylon in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 1500 BCE	The composite bow, accurate to 200 yards, is used by warriors in Asia fighting from chariots and on horseback Go to bow in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Weapons Asia Central Asia The first steps towards a phonetic alphabet are taken in Phoenicia Go to Phoenicia in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE The Phoenicians Asia Lebanon and Syria The Hittites, in Anatolia, are the first people to work iron - introducing what is later called the Iron Age Go to Iron Age in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Technology Inventions and discoveries Asia Turkey
1469 BCE	The Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III defeats his enemies at Megiddo, in history's first fully described battle and siege Go to Thutmose III in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE War Battles Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 1275 BCE	An indecisive battle between the Hittites and the Egyptians, at Kadesh, stabilizes the frontier between the two empires Go to Kadesh, battle of (1300 bc) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE War Battles Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Lebanon and Syria
c. 1250 BCE	Moses is with the Hebrew tribes in Sinai, after the exodus from Egypt Go to Moses in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Judaism Migration Asia Society Not for the first time, the city of Troy is destroyed - on this occasion probably by Mycenaean Greeks Go to Troy in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE War Asia Turkey The god of the Hebrews, announcing to Moses 'I Am Who I Am', acquires his name - YHWH, meaning 'He Who Is' Go to Yahweh in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Religion Judaism Asia
c. 1200 BCE	Mysterious raiders from the sea cause chaos throughout the eastern Mediterranean, from Greece to Palestine and Egypt Go to Sea Peoples in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Migration Africa North Africa Asia Europe Society The Philistines settle in the region which, as Palestine, will become known by their name Go to Philistines in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Migration Asia Palestine and Israel Society Stone tablets, engraved by Moses to signify God's covenant with his people, are placed in a sacred chest - the ark of the covenant Go to Ark of the Covenant in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Religion Judaism Asia
c. 1100 BCE	The Phoenicians develop the war galley, with a sharp battering ram in the bow Go to galley in The Oxford Dictionary of the Renaissance (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Weapons The Phoenicians Asia Lebanon and Syria Phoenician sailors use the pole star for navigational purposes Go to Pole Star in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Science Astronomy and space The Phoenicians Asia Lebanon and Syria
c. 1050 BCE	Samson is one of many Hebrew chieftains fighting the Philistines for possession of Canaan Go to Samson in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE War Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 1020 BCE	Saul, anointed king of Israel by Samuel, establishes himself at Gibeah, just north of Jerusalem Go to Saul in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 1000 BCE	The Jews write down the Torah, the earliest part of the text subsequently known to Christians as the Old Testament Go to Torah in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE 1000-600 BCE Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel Petra acquires importance and wealth from its position on caravan routes from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Go to Petra in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE 1000-600 BCE Commerce and industry Asia Society The Israelites, settled in Canaan, become the first people in history to decide that their god is the only god Go to Israelites in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE 1000-600 BCE Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel The abacus is used as an everyday method of calculation by Phoenicians and Babylonians Go to abacus in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Commerce and industry The Phoenicians Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria Society The Israelites are defeated by the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, with Saul and three of his sons dying during or after the battle Go to Saul in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE 1000-600 BCE War Battles Asia Palestine and Israel Iron reheated with carbon is found to be much harder, being transformed into steel Go to steel in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE 1000-600 BCE Technology Inventions and discoveries Asia
c. 990 BCE	David, already king of Judah and now anointed king of Israel, brings into one realm the twelve tribes of the Israelites Go to David in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel David captures Jerusalem, which he makes his capital - bringing here the ark of the covenant Go to David in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 970 BCE	Hiram, the Phoenician king of Tyre, is an enthusiastic trading partner of King David in Jerusalem, and later of Solomon Go to Hiram in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Judaism Commerce and industry The Phoenicians Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Society
c. 965 BCE	Solomon becomes king of Israel and presides over a period of peace and prosperity Go to Solomon (d. 922 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 960 BCE	Solomon, the king of Israel, builds the first Temple in Jerusalem Go to Temple, the in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Religion Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 950 BCE	The Queen of Sheba, who visits Solomon in Jerusalem, is legendary - but her kingdom of Saba is a historical reality Go to Saba in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Wood from the famous cedars of Lebanon is only one of the many luxury goods traded by the Phoenicians Go to Phoenicians in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Commerce and industry The Phoenicians Asia Lebanon and Syria Society
c. 910 BCE	Solomon's son Rehoboam is unable to prevent the ten northern tribes going their own way, under the leadership of Jeroboam Go to Rehoboam in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Palestine and Israel
883-859 BCE	Assyria, during the reign of Ashurnasirpal II, once again recovers an extensive empire Go to Assyrian civilization in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria
c. 870 BCE	Ashurnasirpal II creates a spectacular new capital at Nimrud (and claims to have had 69,574 guests at his palace-warming party) Go to Nimrud in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Dynasties and royalty Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria An annual event in Assyria is the departure of the army in spring for an expedition of ruthless and brutal conquest Go to Assyrian civilization in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon War Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria
853 BCE	Gindibu brings 1000 Arab warriors on camels to do battle at Karkar (the first known reference to Arabs as a distinct group) Go to Arabs in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE War Battles Asia Lebanon and Syria
c. 850 BCE	Citium, in Cyprus, is the first of many Phoenician colonies in the Mediterranean Go to Phoenicians in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Politics Conquest and colonization The Phoenicians Asia Lebanon and Syria Europe The Assyrians develop the battering ram into a mobile and powerful siege engine Go to battering ram noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Weapons Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria The technique of glazing pottery is discovered in Mesopotamia, though used at this stage only for decorative purposes Go to ceramics in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Arts Decorative arts Technology Inventions and discoveries Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 800 BCE	The Assyrian army makes good use of the new technology by which iron can be hardened into steel suitable for weapons Go to steel in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Weapons Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria
c. 750 BCE	Ionia emerges as a political entity, forming a league of twelve Greek cities in Asia Minor Go to Ionia in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Politics Asia Turkey Europe Greece
722 BCE	The Assyrians overwhelm the north of Israel and the ten northern tribes vanish from history - the majority of them probably dispersed or sold into slavery Go to Sargon II (705 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Conquest and colonization Judaism Asia Lebanon and Syria Palestine and Israel
710 BCE	The first known lock and key is fitted in the new palace of Sargon II at Khorsabad, in Assyria Go to Sargon II (705 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Inventions and discoveries Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria
c. 700 BCE	Judah and Benjamin, together forming the kingdom of Judah, are the only two surviving tribes of Israel Go to Judah in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel Sennacherib moves the Assyrian capital to a new site at Nineveh Go to Nineveh in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Dynasties and royalty Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria
689 BCE	The Assyrian king, Sennacherib, destroys with great brutality the city of Babylon Go to Sennacherib (d.681 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Conquest and colonization Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 650 BCE	Ashurbanipal commissions a great library of cuneiform clay tablets at Nineveh Go to Ashurbanipal’s library in The Oxford Companion to the Book (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria The earliest known coins are minted in Ephesus, bean-shaped and struck on one side with a distinguishing mark Go to coin in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Commerce and industry Asia Turkey Society The Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh is known in its complete form from texts in the library of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh Go to Gilgamesh, The Epic of in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Literature Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 645 BCE	Ashurbanipal commissions a magnificent relief of a lion hunt for his new palace at Nineveh Go to Nineveh in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Arts Sculpture Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria
612 BCE	The Medes and the Babylonians destroy Nineveh and bring to an end the power of Assyria Go to Nineveh in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Conquest and colonization Mesopotamia Asia Iraq The Babylonians defeat an Egyptian army at Carchemish, but do not press on into Egypt Go to Nebuchadnezzar in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon War Battles Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Turkey
605 BCE	Nebuchadnezzar comes to the throne of Babylon, beginning a prosperous reign of more than forty years Go to Nebuchadnezzar in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Dynasties and royalty Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 600 BCE	Phoenicians sail round the Cape of Good Hope and bring back the surprising news that the sun was seen to the north of them Go to Phoenicians in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE 6th century BCE Exploration The Phoenicians Africa South Africa South Africa (republic) Asia Lebanon and Syria Society
586 BCE	After a long siege Jerusalem is taken by Nebuchadnezzar and the city, including Solomon's Temple, is destroyed Go to Nebuchadnezzar II (c.630–562 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Conquest and colonization Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel The Jews, taken into captivity in Babylon, form the first community of the Diaspora Go to diaspora in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Assyria and Babylon Religion Judaism Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 580 BCE	Nebuchadnezzar builds the hanging gardens of Babylon, supposedly to comfort a homesick wife Go to Hanging Gardens of Babylon in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Seven Wonders of the World Assyria and Babylon Arts Mesopotamia Asia Iraq The synagogue, as a simple place of Jewish worship, develops during the Babylonian captivity Go to synagogue in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Assyria and Babylon Religion Judaism Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 570 BCE	Anaximander, a pupil of Thales, develops bold theories about the formation of the earth and the beginning of life Go to Anaximander (611–c.547 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Science Life sciences Asia Turkey
c. 550 BCE	The optimistic concept of the Messiah is part of the Jewish response to captivity in Babylon Go to Messiah in A Concise Companion to the Jewish Religion (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Assyria and Babylon Religion Judaism Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Croesus builds a spectacular temple at Ephesus in honour of Artemis, or Diana Go to Ephesus in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Seven Wonders of the World Religion Asia Turkey Aramaic, a Semitic language from Syria, becomes the lingua franca of the Middle East Go to Aramaic in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Asia
546 BCE	Sardis, the capital city of the Lydian ruler Croesus, is taken by the Persians Go to Croesus in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Politics Conquest and colonization Asia Turkey
c. 545 BCE	Cyrus annexes the Greek territory of Ionia as part of his empire, giving Persia a presence on the Aegean Go to Cyrus in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
539 BCE	A Persian army captures Babylon and brings it into the empire of Cyrus the Great Go to Cyrus in The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Conquest and colonization Mesopotamia Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Iraq Returning to Jerusalem, the Jews begin to rebuild the Temple Go to Temple, the in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Religion Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
499 BCE	The Greek cities of Ionia rebel against Persian rule, with the partial support of Athens Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Ancient Athens War Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
493 BCE	After six years the Persians recover control of Ionia, but Athens is now identified as a target for invasion Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Ancient Athens War Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
490 BCE	Darius sends a fleet across the Aegean, carrying a large army of infantry and cavalry for an attack on Athens Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Ancient Athens War Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions The Persian fleet moves south towards Athens, but then heads home across the Aegean without attempting an assault on the city Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Ancient Athens War Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Turkey Wars and Revolutions
481 BCE	Xerxes I, renewing the campaign of his father Darius against the Greeks, leads a large army round the Aegean and through Thrace Go to Xerxes I in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Ancient Athens War Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
478 BCE	The Delian League is formed for mutual defence, but also to liberate the Greek cities of Ionia from Persian rule Go to Delian League in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Ancient Athens Politics War Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
c. 466 BCE	The Athenian general Cimon wins a spectacular victory over the Persians at the mouth of the Eurymedon River, in southwest Turkey Go to Cīmon (c.510–c.450 bc) in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Asia Turkey Wars and Revolutions
c. 460 BCE	Herodotus, the 'father of history', writes his account of the Greco-Persian Wars from a vantage point in Asia Minor Go to Herodotus (c. 490–c. 425 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greek literature Greco-Persian Wars Literature War Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
c. 450 BCE	The earliest known example of Arabic writing is on an inscribed column at Tema, in northwest Arabia Go to Nabataeans in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Asia
448 BCE	In the Peace of Kallias the Persians acknowledge the independence of Greek Ionia, and agree not to bring their fleet into the Aegean Go to Callias, Peace of in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Politics War Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
414 BCE	The Persians, renewing their interest in the Aegean, fund the Spartans in the building of a fleet to match that of Athens Go to Peloponnesian War in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Peloponnesian Wars Ancient Athens War Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
c. 350 BCE	Artemisia, widow of Mausolus, builds him a tomb at Halicarnassus so spectacular that his name provides a new word - mausoleum Go to Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, the in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Seven Wonders of the World Architecture Asia Turkey
334 BCE	Indulging in a moment of romantic tourism, Alexander visits Troy at the start of his Persian campaign Go to Troy in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Politics Asia Turkey Greece
333 BCE	At Issus, close to the Turkish border with Syria, Alexander defeats the Persian emperor Darius III, captures his family and treats them with courtesy Go to Darius III (c.380–330 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE War Battles Asia Turkey
323 BCE	Alexander the Great, still only 33, dies in Babylon following a banquet Go to Alexander III (“The Great”) in The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Dynasties and royalty Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Greece
from 323 BCE	The spread of Greek rule by Alexander introduces the Hellenistic age, which will last for three centuries Go to Hellenistic Age (323–30 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Africa Central Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Central Asia Greece
312 BCE	Seleucia is founded as a new capital on the Tigris, eclipsing Babylon and recycling much of the older city as building material Go to Seleucia (Iraq) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Assyria and Babylon Politics Dynasties and royalty Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
301 BCE	Some 20 years after the death of Alexander the Great one of his generals, Ptolemy, extends his rule from Egypt to include Jerusalem Go to Ptolemy in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Politics Conquest and colonization Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
299 BCE	Seleucus founds Antioch as a Greek city on the trade route between Mesopotamia and Europe Go to Seleucids in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Commerce and industry Asia Lebanon and Syria Society
c. 200 BCE	Cement is in use for construction in Asia Minor, possibly developed first in Pergamum Go to Pergamum in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century BCE 2nd century BCE Technology Inventions and discoveries Asia Turkey The oasis city of Palmyra acquires importance on the caravan route between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean Go to Palmyra in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century BCE 2nd century BCE Commerce and industry Asia Lebanon and Syria Society
183 BCE	Hannibal, to avoid falling into Roman hands, commits suicide in the Bithynian town of Libyssa Go to Hannibal (c.247–c.183 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE War Asia Turkey
c. 170 BCE	Parchment is invented by Eumenes II, king of Pergamum, according to traditional accounts Go to parchment in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art Terms (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE Technology Inventions and discoveries Asia Turkey
168 BCE	Antiochus IV places a statue of Zeus above the altar of the Temple in Jerusalem, provoking violent reactions from the Jews Go to ANTIOCHUS IV EPIPHANES in The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE Religion Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
165 BCE	The Jewish leader Judas the Maccabee captures Jerusalem and cleanses the Temple Go to JUDAH THE MACCABEE in The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
141 BCE	Simon the Maccabee is appointed high priest of the Temple in Jerusalem, with the position declared hereditary in his family Go to Hasmoneans in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE Religion Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 140 BCE	The priestly Sadducees are confronted in the Sanhedrin by a new opposition party - the Pharisees Go to Pharisees in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE Politics Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 120 BCE	Antipater, a Greek author living on the Phoenician coast, lists the seven wonders of the world Go to Seven Wonders of the World in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE Seven Wonders of the World Architecture Sculpture The Phoenicians Asia Lebanon and Syria
c. 100 BCE	The Essenes, a Jewish sect, withdraw from secular life to form monastic communities in the desert Go to Essenes in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE 1st century BCE Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel The Parthians develop the site of Ctesiphon, on the east bank of the Tigris opposite Seleucia Go to Parthians in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century BCE 1st century BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
64 BCE	Pompey takes Antioch and brings Syria under control as a Roman province Go to Pompey ‘the Great’ (106–48 bc) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Politics Conquest and colonization Asia Lebanon and Syria The Roman annexation of Syria brings the Silk Road all the way to the Mediterranean Go to Silk Road in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Commerce and industry Asia Lebanon and Syria Society
63 BCE	Pompey captures Jerusalem, bringing Judaea under Roman control Go to Pompey ‘the Great’ (106–48 bc) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Politics Conquest and colonization Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
53 BCE	Crasssus is killed at Carrhae, in Turkey, when the Parthians defeat his army, largely thanks to their brilliance as mounted archers Go to Crassus, Marcus Licinius in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE War Battles Asia Turkey The death of Crassus at Carrhae brings to an end the first triumvirate Go to Crassus, Marcus Licinius in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Politics Asia Turkey Europe Greece Italy
c. 50 BCE	The Phoenicians discover that a blob of molten glass can be puffed out to form a hollow vessel Go to glass in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Technology Inventions and discoveries The Phoenicians Asia Lebanon and Syria
47 BCE	Julius Caesar concludes a campaign in Asia Minor so speedily that he declares, succinctly, Veni, vidi, vici ('I came, I saw, I conquered') Go to veni, vidi, vici in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Politics Conquest and colonization Asia Turkey
41 BCE	Keeping her appointment with Mark Antony in Tarsus, Cleopatra arrives in a golden barge, dressed as the goddess of love – and he proves susceptible Go to Cleopa'tra VII (69–30 bc) in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Social and domestic Asia Turkey Society
37 BCE	Antony and Cleopatra, accompanied by their three-year-old twins, marry in Antioch Go to Mark Antony (83–30 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Social and domestic Asia Lebanon and Syria Society Herod, appointed king of Judaea by the senate in Rome, establishes his rule over Palestine Go to Herod (c.73 bc–4 bc) in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Politics Dynasties and royalty Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel
20 BCE	Herod the Great, king of Judaea, begins to build a spectacular new Temple for the Jews on the sacred mount in Jerusalem Go to Herod (c.73 bc–4 bc) in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Roman empire Religion Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires
c. 6 BCE	According to the Gospel account, Jesus Christ is born in Bethlehem two years before the death of Herod the Great - making the date 6 BC Go to Jesus Christ (1st century ad) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Religion Christianity Asia Palestine and Israel
4 BCE	Herod, according to the Gospel account, orders all newly born infants in Bethlehem to be killed Go to Herod (c.73 bc–4 bc) in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Religion Christianity Asia Palestine and Israel
CE 1	Christians decide (though not until AD 525) that this is the year of Christ's birth, making it AD 1 in the Christian chronology Go to Anno Domini in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE 1st century CE Science Asia Palestine and Israel
19	Germanicus, nephew and heir of the emperor Tiberius, dies when far away with the army in Syria Go to Iulius Caesar, Germanicus in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Lebanon and Syria Europe Italy Empires
c. 20	Saul of Tarsus, later known as St Paul, has a Greek-speaking Jewish father who is a Roman citizen Go to Paul, St (c.64) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Judaism Asia Turkey
c. 29	Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, gathering disciples, preaching and healing Go to Jesus Christ (1st century ad) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 31	Jesus rides into Jerusalem with a crowd of followers, then attacks the traders in the courtyard of the Temple Go to Money Changers in The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Jesus, at the Last Supper, associates the bread and wine with his own body and blood, establishing the sacrament of the Eucharist Go to Last Supper in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Asia Palestine and Israel Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilate who reluctantly sentences him to death for blasphemy Go to Pilate, Pontius in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Asia Palestine and Israel Jesus Christ is crucified, according to the accounts of his followers, outside the city wall of Jerusalem Go to crucifixion in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Peter becomes the leader of the small community of Christians in Jerusalem Go to Peter, St in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 35	Stephen is stoned outside the city wall of Jerusalem - the first Christian martyr Go to Stephen in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel On the road to Damascus, where he intends to persecute the Christians, Saul sees a blinding light Go to Damascus, road to [Bible] in The Oxford Dictionary of Reference and Allusion (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Asia Lebanon and Syria
41	Herod Agrippa, a grandson of Herod the Great, restores a brief calm to Palestine Go to Herod Agrippa I (ad 10–44) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Palestine and Israel Empires
c. 48	St Paul, taking ship to Cyprus, begins the first of his great missionary journeys Go to Paul, St (c.64) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Religion Christianity Asia Europe Empires St Paul, on his travels within the Roman empire, begins converting non-Jews (or Gentiles) to the new Christian faith Go to Paul, St (c.64) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Religion Christianity Judaism Asia Europe Empires
c. 50	A western adaptation of the Persian cult of Mithras, evolving probably in Anatolia, is spread through the empire by the Roman army Go to Mithras in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Religion Africa North Africa Asia Europe Empires The leaders of the Christian church gather in Jerusalem to decide an urgent question - must Gentile converts undergo circumcision? Go to Apostolic Council in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
66	The Zealots play a prominent part in the uprising which expels the Romans from Jerusalem Go to Zealots in A Concise Companion to the Jewish Religion (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Politics Conquest and colonization Protest and rebellion Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires Josephus is in Jerusalem at the start of the rebellion against the Romans, and will later describe its suppression in his Jewish War Go to Josephus in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Literature Judaism War Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires
c. 68	The Essenes hide their sacred scrolls in caves near the Dead Sea, to save them from the Romans Go to Dead Sea Scrolls in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel Empires
70	Titus recovers Jerusalem for Rome, after four years of Jewish rule Go to Titus (ad 39–81) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Politics Conquest and colonization Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires The complete destruction of the Jewish Temple follows the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans Go to Jewish Revolt in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Politics Conquest and colonization Persecution and repression Religion Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires The first yeshiva, established by Johanan ben Zakkai at Yavne, begins a strong tradition of Jewish scholarship in the Diaspora Go to Johanan ben Zakkai in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel
73	The last of the Jewish insurgents are besieged in the stronghold of Masada, eventually killing each other to end their ordeal Go to Masada in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Politics Protest and rebellion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 75	The Acts of the Apostles are written, probably by Luke – the evangelist and companion of Paul on his final journey to Rome Go to Acts of the Apostles in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Asia Europe
c. 80	The earliest of the Christian gospels, that of St Mark, is written down - possibly in Asia Minor or Syria Go to Mark, Gospel of St in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Religion Christianity Asia Lebanon and Syria Turkey
c. 100	Mecca develops into a place of pilgrimage, with a famous collection of idols in the Ka'ba Go to Kaaba in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE 2nd century Religion Islam Asia The network of Roman roads stretches eventually from England to Egypt Go to Roman roads in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE 2nd century Technology Engineering Africa North Africa Asia Europe
117	Hadrian, governing Syria when he is declared emperor, is confident enough to delay almost a year before returning to Rome Go to Hadrian in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century Roman empire Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Lebanon and Syria Europe Italy Empires
130	Hadrian, visiting Jerusalem, decides to rebuild it as a Roman city - an act which provokes the final Jewish uprising Go to Jewish revolts (66–73) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century Roman empire Politics Protest and rebellion Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires
132	Simon Bar-Cochba drives the Romans out of Jerusalem and holds it for three years, until a large Roman army recovers the city Go to Bar Cochba in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century Roman empire Politics Protest and rebellion Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires
135	After the Roman recovery of Jerusalem from Simon Bar-Cochba, all Jews are expelled from the city Go to Bar Cochba in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century Roman empire Politics Conquest and colonization Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires
158	A new doctor, Galen, is appointed to look after the gladiators at Pergamum Go to Galen (ad 129–199) in The Oxford Companion to Medicine (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century Science Medicine Asia Turkey
165	The Romans annexe Doura-Europus, giving it its most prosperous period as a frontier town between the Roman and Persian empires Go to Europus in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century Roman empire Politics Conquest and colonization Asia Lebanon and Syria Empires
c. 200	Rabbi Judah ha-Nasi compiles the Mishnah, a six-part digest of the Oral Torah Go to Mishnah in A Concise Companion to the Jewish Religion (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century 3rd century Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel The rock tombs of prosperous Petra, now incorporated in the Roman empire, are carved in the cliffs as classical temples Go to Petra, Jordan in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 2nd century 3rd century Roman empire Architecture Asia Empires
c. 232	A house in Doura-Europus is adapted for Christian worship - the earliest surviving example of its kind Go to Europus in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century Religion Christianity Asia Lebanon and Syria
c. 245	Origen, living in Caesarea, compiles the Hexapla, displaying versions of the Old Testament in six columns for comparative study Go to Hexapla in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century Religion Christianity Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 250	The Goths split into two major groups, the Visigoths northwest of the Black Sea and the Ostrogoths further east Go to Goths in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century Migration Asia Europe Society
274	The emperor Aurelian, grateful for the apparent assistance of a Syrian sun god, establishes the cult of the Unconquered Sun - whose birthday is December 25 Go to Aurelian (c.215–75) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century Roman empire Religion Asia Europe Greece Italy Empires
c. 300	The Jews of the Diaspora have by now spread through much of the Roman empire, where they are treated with tolerance Go to Dispersion, Diaspora in The Oxford Guide to People and Places of the Bible (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3rd century 4th century Roman empire Religion Judaism Migration Africa North Africa Asia Europe Society Empires
303	The emperor Diocletian initiates a sustained persecution of Christians in the Roman empire Go to Diocletian (284–305) in The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century Roman empire Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Africa North Africa Asia Europe Empires
325	Constantine convenes a council of 200 bishops at Nicaea to discuss the beliefs of Arius, which are deemed to be heresy Go to Arius (c.ad 260–336) in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century Roman empire Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity Asia Turkey Empires
c. 327	Helena, mother of the emperor Constantine, discovers in Jerusalem the cross on which Christ died - or so it is later claimed Go to Helena (c. 255–c. 330ad) in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century Religion Christianity Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
337	Constantine is at last baptized a Christian in Nicomedia, just a few days before his death Go to Constantine I (285–337) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century Roman empire Byzantine empire Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity Catholic and orthodox Asia Turkey Empires
363	An apocryphal story states that Julian the Apostate, dying at Tarsus, acknowledges the victory of the Galilean, Jesus Christ Go to Julian the Apostate (332–63) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century Roman empire Byzantine empire Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity Asia Turkey Empires
386	St Jerome settles in Bethlehem, where his holy women organize a monastery for his residence and a nearby convent for themselves Go to Jerome, St (c.342–420) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century Religion Christianity Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 400	The earlier of the two Talmuds, consisting of commentaries on the Mishnah, is collected by rabbis in Palestine Go to Talmud in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century 5th century Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 405	St Jerome, in Bethlehem, completes the Latin translation of the Bible which later becomes known as the Vulgate Go to Vulgate in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Religion Christianity Asia Palestine and Israel
431	A council is convened at Ephesus to consider the theology of Nestorius, which is judged to be heretical Go to Nestorius (b. after 351) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Religion Christianity Asia Turkey
c. 450	The squinch, soon followed by the more sophisticated pendentive, proves a great boon to builders of domes Go to Squinch in The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Architecture Asia Central Asia
c. 475	The Syrian desert is full of hermits living on pillars, following the example of St Simeon Stylites Go to Simeon Stylites, St (West Asia) in A Dictionary of World Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Religion Christianity Asia Lebanon and Syria
487	Theodoric the Ostrogoth, threatening Constantinople, is cunningly diverted by the emperor into invading Italy Go to Theodoric the Great in The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century Byzantine empire Politics Dynasties and royalty War Asia Turkey Europe Italy Empires
c. 500	Small ivory panels, with Gospel scenes carved in relief, provide a delicate beginning to the story of Christian sculpture Go to iconography, Christian in The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century 6th century Arts Sculpture Religion Christianity Asia Europe The scribes known as Masoretes safeguard the ancient Hebrew of the Torah by their careful copying of the text Go to Masoretic text in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century 6th century Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel
525	The law is changed to allow Justinian, of senatorial rank, to marry Theodora — whom courtesy describes as an actress Go to Theodora (c. 500–48) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Byzantine empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires
527	Justinian becomes emperor in Constantinople, beginning a reign which will restore the empire to much of its former glory Go to Justinian (483–565) in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Byzantine empire Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Turkey Europe Empires The monastery of St Catherine's in Sinai is founded by Justinian, and will accumulate one of the world's greatest collections of icons Go to Catherine, Monastery of Saint in The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Byzantine empire Religion Christianity Asia Empires
c. 540	Khosrau I builds himself a superb new palace, of which the great vaulted Taq-e Kisra remains today at Ctesiphon Go to Khosrau I (579 ad) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Khosrau I commissions a spectacular Spring Carpet for the floor of his hall of audience in Ctesiphon Go to Carpets and flatweaves in The Grove Encyclopedia of Islamic Art and Architecture (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Arts Decorative arts Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
589	The word filioque ('and from the Son') becomes a major bone of contention between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches Go to Filioque in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Religion Christianity Catholic and orthodox Asia Europe
c. 600	Ritual intoning of the psalms, derived from Jewish synagogues, is formalized in Christian worship as Gregorian chant Go to plainsong in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music (5 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century 7th century Performing arts Music Religion Christianity Judaism Asia Europe The classic form of Arabic poetry, predating Islam, evolves as the qasidah Go to Arabic in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Linguistics (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century 7th century Literature Poetry Asia
c. 613	Muhammad begins preaching in Mecca the message of Allah, dictated to him by the archangel Gabriel Go to Gabriel in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Religion Islam Asia
614	Jerusalem falls to the Persian emperor Khosrau II after a siege of a month, and it is said that 60,000 Christians are massacred Go to Khosrau II (628 ad) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Byzantine empire Politics Conquest and colonization Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires
615	When the Persians sack Jerusalem, they carry off to Ctesiphon Christianity's most sacred relic - the True Cross Go to Cross in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Byzantine empire Religion Christianity War Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires
622	Muhammad departs from Mecca and settles in Medina, in the event known as the Hegira Go to hegira in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Religion Islam Asia The year of the Hegira (Muhammad's move from Mecca to Medina) becomes Anno Hegirae or AH1, the first year in Muslim chronology Go to AH in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Religion Islam Asia
627	The Byzantine emperor Heraclius recovers the True Cross from Ctesiphon Go to Heraclius I (575–642) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Byzantine empire Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Empires
630	Mecca becomes the holy city of Islam and soon all Arabia accepts the new religion Go to Mecca in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Religion Islam Asia
632	The death of Muhammad at Medina is followed by the election of the first caliph, Abu Bakr, a father-in-law of the prophet Go to Abu Bakr (c. 573–634) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Caliphs Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Islam Asia
634	Omar, another father-in-law of Muhammad, is elected as the second Muslim caliph (the word means 'successor to the Messenger of God') Go to Omar (c.581–644) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Caliphs Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Islam Asia Within two years of the death of Muhammad, the Arabs surge north into the Syrian desert Go to Arabs in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Religion Islam Migration Muslim empires Asia Lebanon and Syria Society Empires
637	The Arabs defeat a Persian army at Kadisiya and then sack the city of Ctesiphon, effectively bringing to an end the Sassanian dynasty Go to Sassanian Period in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Politics Conquest and colonization Muslim empires Mesopotamia Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Iraq Empires
638	The Arab capture of Jerusalem brings Palestine and Syria under Muslim control Go to Jerusalem in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Byzantine empire Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Islam Jerusalem Muslim empires Asia Palestine and Israel Empires
644	After the assassination of Omar, Othman is elected as the third Muslim caliph Go to Othman (574–656) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Caliphs Politics Dynasties and royalty Terrorism and assassination Religion Islam Muslim empires Asia Empires
c. 650	Under the caliph Othman, the revelations made to Muhammad are collected in their definitive form as the Qur'an Go to Qur'an in A Dictionary of Asian Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Caliphs Religion Islam Asia Jews and Christians, sharing with Muslims the status of 'people of the book', are promised religious tolerance in the Qur'an Go to Ahl al-Kitāb in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Religion Christianity Islam Judaism Asia
656	Othman is assassinated, and Ali wins power as the fourth Muslim caliph - defeating Muhammad's widow Aisha at the 'battle of the camel' near Basra Go to Camel, Battle of the in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Caliphs Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Islam Battles Muslim empires Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Empires
661	Ali is assassinated and Mu'awiya becomes the fifth Muslim caliph, establishing the Umayyad dynasty Go to Umayyad Caliphate in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Caliphs Politics Dynasties and royalty Terrorism and assassination Religion Islam Muslim empires Asia Lebanon and Syria Empires The emergence of the Shi'a party creates a major schism within Islam Go to Shia noun in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Politics Religion Islam Asia
c. 670	With the entire middle east under their control, the Arabs make Damascus the capital of the Umayyad caliphate Go to Damascus in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Caliphs Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Islam Muslim empires Africa North Africa Asia Lebanon and Syria Empires
674	A Muslim fleet attacking Constantinople is deterred by the first known use of the Byzantine secret recipe for 'Greek fire' Go to Greek fire in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Byzantine empire Weapons Muslim empires Asia Turkey Europe Empires
680	Husayn, the son of Ali, dies at Karbala in a battle against rival Muslims and becomes the most holy of Shi'ite martyrs Go to Husayn ibn Ali (680) in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Religion Islam Battles Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
691	The Dome of the Rock is completed as a Muslim shrine on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Go to Qubbat al-Sakhra in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century Architecture Religion Islam Jerusalem Muslim empires Asia Palestine and Israel Empires
c. 700	Shortage of manpower in the Muslim armies causes a change of policy, with non-Arabs now allowed to convert to Islam Go to armies, Islamic in The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century 8th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Islam Muslim empires Asia Empires The earliest two Turkish states are the confederation of Gök Türk and the empire of the Khazars Go to KHAZARS in The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 7th century 8th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Turks Asia Turkey
c. 750	Karaism, relying on scripture rather than rabbinical commentary, develops among the Jewish community in Babylon Go to Karaism in The Oxford Companion to the Book (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Assyria and Babylon Religion Judaism Mesopotamia Asia Iraq The Arabic language gradually replaces Aramaic as the lingua franca of the Middle East Go to Lingua franca n. in Guide to Latin in International Law (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Asia Sufism develops as a mystical strain within Islam Go to Sufism in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Religion Islam Asia The Abbasids massacre the Umayyads in Damascus and establish a new caliphate Go to Abbasids in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Caliphs Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Islam Muslim empires Asia Lebanon and Syria Empires
751	Muscat and Oman establish a tradition of spiritual rule by elected imams Go to Imam in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Politics Religion Islam Asia
762	The Abbasid caliphs create Baghdad as a new capital city on the Tigris Go to Tigris in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century Caliphs Politics Dynasties and royalty Muslim empires Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Empires
c. 800	The use of zero, essential in practical mathematics, is now familiar in India and is adopted in Baghdad Go to mathematics in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century 9th century Science Mesopotamia Asia India (the subcontinent) Iraq Scholars in Baghdad begin translating Greek and Syriac texts into Arabic Go to Syriac in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century 9th century Mesopotamia Asia Iraq The Ismailis become a separate Shi'a sect when they dispute the succession after the death of the sixth imam Go to Ismailis in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century 9th century Politics Religion Islam Asia The luxury of Baghdad, under the caliph Harun al-Rashid, is evident in the Thousand and One Nights Go to Arabian Nights Entertainments, or The Thousand and One Nights in The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 8th century 9th century Caliphs Social and domestic Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Society
843	The iconoclastic controversy ends when Theodora, widow of the emperor Theophilus, officially sanctions the veneration of icons Go to icon in A Dictionary of the Bible (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Byzantine empire Religion Christianity Asia Europe Empires
c. 850	The caliphs in Baghdad begin to employ Turkish slaves, or Mamelukes, in their armies Go to Mamelukes in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century Caliphs Politics Dynasties and royalty Slavery War Turks Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Society
c. 900	With the end of iconoclasm, the screen between the nave and the altar sanctuary becomes covered in icons in Orthodox churches Go to iconostatis in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 9th century 10th century Byzantine empire Architecture Asia Europe Empires
921	The Jewish calendar, deriving originally from the example of Babylon, is given its lasting form Go to Jewish in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Judaism Science Astronomy and space Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 930	Saadiah Gaon writes a seminal work of Jewish philosophy in his Book of Beliefs and Opinions Go to Saadiah Gaon in A Concise Companion to the Jewish Religion (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 10th century Literature Philosophy Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 1050	The rulers of Baghdad harness homing pigeons as postmen. Go to Baghdad (Iraq) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Technology Communication Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
1055	Togrul Beg enters Baghdad and is granted by the caliph the title of sultan, which becomes hereditary in his Seljuk dynasty Go to Sultan in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Caliphs Politics Dynasties and royalty Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 1071	The campaigns of Alp Arslan, culminating in 1071, give the Seljuk Turks a lasting presence in Anatolia Go to Malik Shah ibn Alp Arslan (1072/73–92) in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Turks Asia Turkey The Seljuk Turks and the Byzantines meet in battle at Manzikert, with victory going to the Turks Go to Manzikert, Battle of (1071) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Byzantine empire 11th century War Battles Turks Asia Turkey Empires
1082	Venice acquires valuable trading privileges from Constantinople, her merchants being excused all dues and customs in the Byzantine empire Go to Istanbul in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Byzantine empire 11th century Commerce and industry Venice Asia Turkey Europe Italy Society Empires
1098	After a siege of seven months, the city of Antioch falls to the knights of the first crusade Go to Antioch in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Byzantine empire Crusades 11th century Religion Christianity War Asia Turkey Empires Wars and Revolutions
1099	Konya, in central Turkey, becomes the capital of the Seljuk Turks, who call themselves sultans of Rum Go to Seljuk Turks in The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Turks Asia Turkey Crusaders capture the holy city of Jerusalem and massacre the Muslim and Jewish inhabitants Go to Crusades in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Byzantine empire Crusades 11th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Christianity Islam Judaism Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires Wars and Revolutions
c. 1100	Greek texts, translated by Arabic scholars in Baghdad, gradually make their way through the Muslim world to Christian Europe Go to Greek in A Dictionary of English Manuscript Terminology 1450–2000 (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 11th century 12th century Mesopotamia Africa North Africa Asia Iraq
c. 1109	The crusaders now rule the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem, the principality of Antioch and the counties of Tripoli and Edessa Go to Crusades in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Byzantine empire Crusades 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Empires Wars and Revolutions
1113	The Knights of St John of Jerusalem become an established order under papal protection Go to Hospitallers in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Religion Christianity Papacy Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions
1120	The Knights Templar are founded, to protect pilgrims from the Muslims on the journey to Jerusalem Go to Knight Templar in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Religion Christianity Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions
1142	The great castle of Krak des Chevaliers is built in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem by the Knights of St John Go to Hospitallers in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Architecture Jerusalem Asia Lebanon and Syria
1144	The city of Edessa is captured by Zangi, a Mameluke general, in the first setback for the crusaders in the Middle East Go to Mameluke in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization War Asia Lebanon and Syria Wars and Revolutions The fall of Edessa prompts the pope, Eugenius III, to call for a second crusade to defend the Latin kingdom Go to Eugenius III (d. 1153) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Religion Christianity Papacy War Asia Palestine and Israel Europe Italy Wars and Revolutions
1145	A bishop in the crusader territories of the Middle East has news of a fabulously wealthy Christian king, Prester John Go to Prester John in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Religion Christianity Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions
1148	By the time Louis VII and Conrad III reach the Holy Land they have lost more than half their joint armies to Muslim attacks Go to Louis VII (c.1120–80) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Christianity Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions Louis VII and Conrad III do grave harm to the Latin Kingdom by a feeble attack that merely alienates the previously friendly city of Damascus Go to Latin kingdom of Jerusalem in The Oxford Companion to Western Art (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Christianity Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions
1154	The inhabitants of Damascus surrender their city to Nur ed-Din, helping him greatly in his campaign against the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem Go to Latin kingdom of Jerusalem in The Oxford Companion to Western Art (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization Protest and rebellion Jerusalem Asia Lebanon and Syria
1187	Saladin destroys the Christian army of the Latin kingdom in a battle below the Horns of Hattin Go to Hattin, battle of (1187) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization Battles Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions Saladin captures various Crusader fortresses and walled cities, including Acre Go to Acre in The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization War Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions Saladin takes Jerusalem and treats the Christian inhabitants with a consideration unusual for the time Go to Saladin (1138–93) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization War Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions
1190	The third crusade suffers an early disaster when its first leader, the emperor Frederick Barbarossa, is drowned crossing the Calycadnus river Go to Frederick I (c.1122–90) in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization Dynasties and royalty Religion Christianity Asia Turkey Wars and Revolutions
1191	The Muslim garrison of Acre surrenders to Richard I, who orders the massacre of 2700 of its members Go to Acre in The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Christianity Islam Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions The Teutonic Knights are founded to run a hospital in Acre, in the Latin kingdom of Jerusalem Go to Teutonic Knight in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 12th century Religion Christianity Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions
1204	The Byzantine empire continues, in much reduced form, with a new capital at Nicaea Go to Nicaea in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Byzantine empire 13th century Politics Asia Turkey Empires
1228	Frederick II, leader of the sixth crusade, briefly recovers Jerusalem for the Christians by negotiating with the Muslims Go to Frederick II (1712–86) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Crusades 13th century Politics Conquest and colonization Religion Christianity Islam Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions
1237	Batu Khan and his Mongols sweep into Russia, where they and their descendants become known as the Golden Horde Go to Golden Horde in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Conquest and colonization Migration Asia Central Asia Europe Russia Society
1258	When Hulagu and his Mongol army reach Baghdad, in 1258, it is said that 800,000 of the inhabitants are killed - and the caliph is kicked to death Go to Mongol empire in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Caliphs Politics Conquest and colonization Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
1260	At Ayn Jalut, near Nazareth, the Egyptian Mamelukes defeat the Mongol army of Hulagu - the first military setback for the Mongols Go to Mongol empire in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Battles Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 1270	The Assassins are systematically destroyed by Baybars, the Mameluke sultan of Egypt Go to Baybars I in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Africa North Africa Egypt Asia
c. 1275	The Mamelukes control Palestine and Syria, bringing the region securely back into Muslim hands Go to Mamelukes in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 13th century Politics Asia Lebanon and Syria Palestine and Israel
c. 1285	Osman inherits the leadership of the tribal group later known by a version of his name, as the Ottoman Turks Go to Ottoman empire in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Byzantine empire 13th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Empires
1303	The Knights Templars withdraw from the island of Arwad, the last foothold of the crusaders in the Middle East Go to Knight Templar in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Byzantine empire Crusades 14th century Politics Conquest and colonization Asia Palestine and Israel Empires Wars and Revolutions
1347	Turkish tribes, besieging Genoese merchants in Caffa, lob the corpses of plague victims over the town walls and thus spread the Black Death Go to Black Death (1347–50) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 14th century Social and domestic Turks Asia Turkey Society
1354	Gallipoli is taken by the Ottoman Turks, giving them their first foothold in Europe Go to Ottoman empire in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Byzantine empire 14th century Politics Conquest and colonization Migration Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Society Empires
1402	The Ottoman sultan Bayazid is defeated and captured near Ankara by Timur, who keeps the sultan in captivity until his death the following year Go to Tamerlane (1336–1405) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Battles Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Empires
c. 1450	Coffee, derived from wild plants in Ethiopia, is cultivated in Arabia Go to coffee in A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Social and domestic Africa East Africa Ethiopia Asia Society Christian boys, trained as slaves in the personal service of the Turkish sultan, acquire considerable power as the elite corps of janissaries Go to Janissaries in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires
1453	Constantinople falls to a 21-year-old Muslim conqueror, Mehmed II, bringing the Ottoman Turks their capital city Go to Mehmed II (1430–81) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Byzantine empire 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires The Christian emperor Constantine XI dies in the fighting in Constantinople, as the Greek Byzantine empire yields to that of the Ottoman Turks Go to Constantine XI Palaiologos (12 Mar. 1449–29 May 1453) in The Oxford Dictionary of Byzantium (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Byzantine empire 15th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires
1514	The Portuguese capture Hormuz and establish a garrison to control the Gulf of Oman Go to Hormuz in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Portuguese empire Asia Europe Empires
1517	The Ottoman sultan, Selim I, captures Cairo and ends Mameluke rule in the middle east Go to Selim I (c. 1470–1520) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Politics Dynasties and royalty War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Empires The last Abbasid caliph, captured by the Ottoman Turks, is taken as a prisoner to Istanbul - ending the authentic line of 'successors' to Muhammad Go to Caliph/Caliphate in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Caliphs Islam Turks Asia Turkey From Bosnia to Egypt and Arabia, the Ottoman Turks now rule the largest Muslim empire since the early caliphate Go to Ottoman empire in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 16th century Caliphs Politics Dynasties and royalty Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Africa North Africa Asia Europe Empires
1744	Muhammad ibn Saud begins the expansion of power that will lead eventually to the establishment of Saudi Arabia Go to Saud, Muhammad ibn al- (1746–65) in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia The Muslim reformer Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab makes an alliance with Muhammad ibn Saud, of significance to the later Saudi dynasty Go to Saud, Muhammad ibn al- (1746–65) in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Religion Islam Asia
1774	In the treaty of Kuchuk Kainarji, ending the recent Russo-Turkish war, the Ottoman empire cedes the Crimea to Russia Go to Russo-Ottoman Wars in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Crimean War Politics War Turks European empires from 1415 Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Russia Empires Wars and Revolutions The treaty of Kuchuk Kainarji grants Russia special rights in relation to the Christian Holy Places under Ottoman control Go to Russo-Ottoman Wars in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Crimean War Politics Religion Christianity War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Empires Wars and Revolutions
1798	The British acquire a foothold in the Persian Gulf by making Oman a protectorate Go to Oman in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Asia Europe Empires
1799	Napoleon, in Syria, orders 3000 captured defenders of Jaffa to be killed by bayonet or drowning to save ammunition Go to French Revolutionary Wars (1792–1802) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 18th century French Revolutionary Wars Napoleonic era War Asia Palestine and Israel Wars and Revolutions
1820	The Eastern Question, concerning Turkey's ability to control its vast empire, becomes a persistent nineteenth-century theme Go to Eastern Question in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Crimean War Politics War Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions The first of the truces is made which will lead to the Trucial States, now known as the United Arab Emirates Go to United Arab Emirates in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Asia
1831	Mameluke power ends with their suppression in Baghdad, following a massacre in Cairo twenty years earlier Go to Mameluke in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Persecution and repression Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
c. 1835	English artist Edward Lear begins a series of travels, sketching around the Mediterranean and in the Middle East Go to Lear, Edward (1812–88) in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Britain 1750-1900 Arts Painting British painting British art Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Africa North Africa Asia Europe Britain
1837	Zanzibar becomes the main place of residence of the sultan of Oman Go to Zanzibar (Tanzania) in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Africa East Africa Asia
1839	The British seize the strategic port of Aden and administer it as a province annexed to India Go to Aden in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Victorian era Politics Conquest and colonization British empire European empires from 1415 Asia Europe Empires
1841	The Straits Convention, agreed between the European powers and Turkey, is a concerted attempt to prop up the Ottoman empire Go to Ottoman Empire in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Crimean War Politics War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires Wars and Revolutions
1845	British archaeologist Henry Layard, in his first month of digging in Iraq, discovers the Assyrian city of Nimrud Go to Nimrud, Iraq in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria
1852	France demands that Turkey should end Russia's exclusive control of the Christian Holy Places in the Ottoman empire Go to Crimean War (1853–56) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Crimean War Politics Religion Christianity War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Empires Wars and Revolutions Russia insists that her exclusive rights over the Holy Places are enshrined in the treaty of Kuchuk Kainarji Go to Crimean War (1853–56) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Crimean War Politics Religion Christianity War Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Russia Empires Wars and Revolutions
1853	Hormuzd Rassam discovers the magnificent lion-hunt reliefs in the palace of Ashurbanipal at Nineveh Go to Nineveh in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Science Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria In a worsening diplomatic crisis, Russia puts her Black Sea fleet in a state of alert at Sebastopol Go to Crimean War (1853–56) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Crimean War Politics War Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Russia Empires Wars and Revolutions France and Britain despatch their fleets to the Dardanelles, in readiness to go through the Straits to the Black Sea Go to Crimean War (1853–56) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Crimean War War Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Empires Wars and Revolutions In the expectation of British and French support, the Ottoman sultan declares war on Russia - launching the Crimean War Go to Crimean War (1853–56) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Crimean War War Turks British empire Muslim empires Ottoman empire British prime ministers - from 1830 Asia Turkey Europe Russia Empires Rulers and politicians Wars and Revolutions
1854	British and French warships move up through the Straits and enter the Black Sea in support of Turkey Go to Crimean War (1853–56) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Crimean War War Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Empires Wars and Revolutions
1855	After a siege of nearly a year the Russians abandon Sebastopol, but the Turkish alliance is too exhausted to pursue the conflict Go to Sebastopol in Oxford Dictionary of English (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Crimean War War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Russia Empires Wars and Revolutions
1882	The first settlements of European Jews, returning to the promised land, are established in Palestine Go to World Zionist Organization in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 19th century Religion Judaism Migration Asia Palestine and Israel Society
1906	Istanbul cedes the Sinai Peninsula to British-controlled Egypt Go to Sinai in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: Edwardian era 1900s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 Asia Europe Empires
1908	The Young Turks of Salonika organize a successful uprising against the autocracy of the Ottoman sultan Go to Young Turks in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1900s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Empires
1910	Ten men and two women establish the first kibbutz, at Degania in Palestine Go to kibbutz in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Social and domestic Asia Palestine and Israel Society
1912	Turkey, beset by troubles elsewhere, cedes to Italy her north African province of Libya Go to Libya in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization European empires from 1415 Muslim empires Ottoman empire Africa North Africa Asia Turkey Europe Italy Empires An armistice agreed between the Ottoman empire and three of the Balkan states ends the war in the Balkans Go to Balkan Wars (1912–13) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1913	The Balkan states and the Ottoman empire agree an armistice in Bucharest, ending the Second Balkan War Go to Balkan Wars (1912–13) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires Wars since 1900 A coup led by Enver Pasha brings the Young Turks to power in Istanbul Go to Enver Pasha (1881–1922) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Empires
1914	August 2 - Germany and the Ottoman empire sign a secret treaty of alliance Go to World War I (1914–18) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century Politics War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Germany Empires Wars since 1900 October 29 - Turkey, launching an attack on Russian ports in the Black Sea, enters the war on the German side Go to Turkey in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Empires Wars since 1900 November 2 - Russia declares war on the Ottoman empire Go to Ottoman Empire in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Russia Empires Wars since 1900 November 5 - Britain and France declare war on the Ottoman empire Go to Ottoman Empire in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Turks Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe France Empires Wars since 1900 Britain November 23 - a British force seizes the Turkish port of Basra, to safeguard the supply of Persian oil Go to Basra in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Turks Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Wars since 1900
1915	January - Winston Churchill is heavily involved in a bold plan to secure Allied access through the Dardanelles to the Black Sea Go to Dardanelles in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War British prime ministers - from 1830 Asia Turkey Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 March 18 - British and French battleships are sunk by mines in the Dardanelles, with the loss of 620 French sailors on one of them Go to Dardanelles in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War British prime ministers - from 1830 Asia Turkey Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900 April 25 - British and French troops, together with the Australian and New Zealander Army Corps (ANZAC), land in Gallipoli Go to Gallipoli campaign (25 Apr. 1915–9) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Asia Turkey Wars since 1900 from May - hundreds of thousands of Armenians die as the Turks forcibly remove them from their homelands Go to Armenian genocide (1915–16) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Turks Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Empires Wars since 1900 from July - the Russians advance through Turkish Armenia and push west into Anatolia as far as Trabzon Go to Armenia in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Turks Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Empires Wars since 1900 November 22 - a British and Indian force is defeated by the Turks at Ctesiphon, on the bank of the Tigris Go to Mesopotamian campaign in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Battles Turks Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Wars since 1900 December - Allied troops begin a withdrawal from the Dardanelles after the abject failure of the Gallipoli campaign Go to Gallipoli campaign (25 Apr. 1915–9) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War British prime ministers - from 1830 Asia Turkey Rulers and politicians Wars since 1900
1916	Britain and France sign the secret Sykes-Picot Agreement, dividing up spheres of influence in the Middle East Go to Sykes–Picot Agreement (1916) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Lebanon and Syria Palestine and Israel Europe France Britain April 29 - the British garrison at Kut, on the Tigris, surrenders to the Turks after a five-month siege Go to Kut, Siege of (December 1915–April 1916) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Turks Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Wars since 1900 June 5 - Sharif Hussein, the emir of Mecca, proclaims himself the leader of the Muslim world, thus launching an Arab revolt against the Ottoman empire Go to Hussein, ibn Ali (1856–1931) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century Religion Islam War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Empires Wars since 1900
1917	Foreign Secretary A.J. Balfour declares Britain's conditional support for a homeland in Palestine for the Jews Go to Balfour declaration in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century Politics Religion Judaism Migration Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles British prime ministers - from 1830 Asia Palestine and Israel Europe Society Rulers and politicians Britain March 11 - the British commander Stanley Maude captures Baghdad from the Turks Go to Mesopotamian campaign in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Turks Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Wars since 1900 July 6 - T.E. Lawrence and an Arab force surprise the Turkish garrison at Aqaba and win an overwhelming victory Go to Lawrence, T(homas) E(dward) (1888–1935) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Battles Turks Asia Wars since 1900 November 7 - Edmund Allenby takes the Palestinian town of Gaza, at the third British attempt Go to Allenby, Edmund Henry Hynman, 1st Viscount (1861–1936) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Asia Palestine and Israel Wars since 1900 December 9 - the British commander Edmund Allenby captures Jerusalem from its Turkish defenders Go to Allenby, Edmund Henry Hynman, 1st Viscount (1861–1936) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Jerusalem Turks Asia Palestine and Israel Wars since 1900
1918	from June - Faisal and T.E. Lawrence pin down a Turkish army in a campaign of guerrilla warfare Go to Lawrence, T(homas) E(dward) (1888–1935) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Turks Asia Wars since 1900 October 1 - after a victory at the historic battle site of Megiddo, Allenby captures the city of Damascus Go to Allenby, Edmund Henry Hynman, 1st Viscount (1861–1936) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Battles Asia Lebanon and Syria Wars since 1900 October 30 - an armistice is signed between Turkey and the Allies on the warship Agamemnon in the Greek port of Mudros Go to Turkey in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 1910s 20th century War Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires Wars since 1900
1919	Mustafa Kemal Atatürk leads resistance to the Greek invasion of western Turkey Go to Atatürk, Mustafa Kemal (12 Mar. 1880) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1910s 20th century War Asia Turkey
1920	A national congress in Damascus proclaims Faisal king of an independent Syria Go to Faisal I (b. 20 May 1883) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Lebanon and Syria Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is elected president of Turkey's new Grand National Assembly Go to Atatürk, Mustafa Kemal (12 Mar. 1880) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Asia Turkey Europe The Haganah is set up as an underground military organization to protect Jewish settlements in Palestine Go to Haganah in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel French intervention in Syria forces Faisal off the throne and out of the country Go to Faisal I (b. 20 May 1883) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Lebanon and Syria May - League of Nations mandates give Britain responsibility for Iraq, Transjordan and Palestine Go to Mandate in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War British empire European empires from 1415 Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Palestine and Israel Europe Empires Wars since 1900 May - League of Nations mandates give France responsibility for Syria and Lebanon Go to Mandate in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War European empires from 1415 French empire Asia Lebanon and Syria Europe Empires Wars since 1900 August - a punitive peace treaty, negotiated at Sèvres, is designed to dismember the Ottoman empire Go to Ottoman Empire in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 20th century Politics War Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe France Empires Wars since 1900 August 10 - the sultan of Turkey signs the Treaty of Sèvres with the Allies but it is rejected by the new nationalist government Go to Sèvres, Treaty of (10 Aug. 1920) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: First World War 20th century Politics War Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Empires Wars since 1900
1921	Abdullah ibn Hussein, of the Hashemite family, becomes emir of the new province of Transjordan Go to Abdullah ibn Hussein (b. 1880) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Faisal, having lost Syria, is given the throne in the British mandated territory of Iraq Go to Faisal I (1885–1933) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
1922	Mustafa Kemal Atatürk wins a long campaign to expel the Greeks, authorized by the victorious Allies to occupy western Turkey Go to Atatürk, Mustafa Kemal (b. 12 Mar. 1881) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century War Asia Turkey The nationalist government in Turkey abolishes the sultanate and the last Ottoman emperor, Mehmed VI, goes into exile Go to Turkey in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Turks Muslim empires Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires
1923	The Treaty of Lausanne, with more favourable terms than those negotiated at Sèvres, finally brings peace between Turkey and the Allies Go to Lausanne, Treaty of (24 July 1923) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires Turkey becomes a republic with Atatürk as president and Ankara as its new capital Go to Turkey in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Politics Ottoman empire Asia Turkey Europe Empires
c. 1927	British archaeologist Leonard Woolley discovers the treasures of the royal cemetery at Ur Go to Woolley, Sir Charles Leonard (1880–1960) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Science Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
1929	Arabs in the Palestinian town of Hebron turn on their Jewish neighbours and murder sixty-seven Go to Palestine in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1920s 20th century Religion Islam Judaism Social and domestic Asia Palestine and Israel Society
c. 1930	A pregnant female hamster, captured in Syria, becomes the ancestor of every pet hamster in the world Go to hamster in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Social and domestic Asia Lebanon and Syria Society
1931	Irgun, a new Jewish paramilitary group, is set up by Haganah commanders frustrated by the older organization's policies Go to Irgun in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Religion Judaism Asia Palestine and Israel
1932	After gaining control of most of the Arabian peninsula, Ibn Saud gives his kingdom a new name, Saudi Arabia Go to Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud (b. 24 Nov. 1880) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia
1938	The first shipload of oil is exported from Saudi Arabia to the USA after the discovery of commercially viable resources in Dhahran Go to Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud (b. 24 Nov. 1880) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1930s 20th century Commerce and industry Asia Society North America United States
1940	Avraham Stern forms the Stern Gang, a new Jewish terrorist group in Palestine and an offshoot of Irgun Go to Stern Gang in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia Palestine and Israel
1942	Yitzhak Shamir becomes leader of the terrorist Stern gang in Palestine Go to Stern Gang in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia Palestine and Israel
c. 1943	The Ba'th party is founded by Michel Aflaq and others in Syria, with a pan-Arab political agenda Go to Aflaq, Michel (b. 1910) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Asia Lebanon and Syria Future Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin becomes leader of the underground terrorist group Irgun Go to Irgun in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia Palestine and Israel
1944	Ibn Saud and his US partners set up ARAMCO, the Arabia-American Oil Company Go to Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud (b. 24 Nov. 1880) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Commerce and industry Asia Society North America United States
1946	Syria becomes fully independent with the withdrawal of French forces Go to Syria in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Asia Lebanon and Syria Irgun terrorists detonate a bomb in the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, killing 91 people Go to Irgun in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
1947	The UN puts forward a plan for the partition of Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states Go to Palestine in A Dictionary of British History (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel An Arab boy, herding goats in the Qumran desert, finds the first of the Dead Sea Scrolls Go to Dead Sea Scrolls in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Religion Judaism Science Asia Palestine and Israel
1948	Israel declares its independence as a new Jewish state, with David Ben-Gurion as prime minister Go to Israel in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel Six Arab states attack Israel in support of the Palestinians, starting the first Arab-Israeli war Go to Arab-Israeli Wars (1948–49) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century War Asia Palestine and Israel 700,000 Palestinian Arabs flee from their homes in Israel and become refugees Go to Palestine in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Social and domestic Asia Palestine and Israel Society The UN mediator in Palestine, Folke Bernadotte, proposes a peace plan involving the partition of Palestine Go to Palestine in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel Jewish terrorists, opposed to the partition of Palestine, murder the UN peacemaker Folke Bernadotte Go to Bernadotte, Folke, Count (1895–1948) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia Palestine and Israel
1949	Jordan occupies the West Bank area of Palestine at the end of the Arab-Israeli war Go to West Bank in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1940s 20th century War Asia Palestine and Israel
1951	King Abdullah of Jordan is assassinated on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Go to Abdullah ibn Hussein (b. 1880) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel
1952	King Adbullah's grandson Hussein (who was with him when he was assassinated in 1951) becomes king of Jordan Go to Al-Hashimi, Hussein bin‐Talal (14 Nov. 1935) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia
1956	Israeli troops invade the Sinai peninsula, a province of Egypt bordering the Suez canal Go to Suez crisis in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Politics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century War Asia Palestine and Israel
1958	Egypt and Syria merge as the United Arab Republic (but disengage three years later) Go to United Arab Republic in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Lebanon and Syria Yasser Arafat and others in Kuwait found Al-Fatah, a secret organization advocating armed resistance against Israel Go to Fatah, al‐ in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia Palestine and Israel The king of Iraq, Faisal II, is murdered in Baghdad in a coup led by Abdul Karim Qassim Go to Faisal II (b. 2 May 1935) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Nationalist Kurds in the north of Iraq launch a guerrilla war against the new government in Baghdad Go to Kurdistan in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1950s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
1960	Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann, discovered in Buenos Aires, is kidnapped by Israeli agents Go to Eichmann, Adolf (1906–62) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Asia Palestine and Israel Latin America Argentina Brazil South America
1961	The trial of Adolf Eichmann begins in an Israeli court in Jerusalem, with TV cameras permitted to broadcast the event live around the world Go to Eichmann, Karl Adolf (b. 19 Mar. 1906) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Performing arts Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Syria withdraws from the United Arab Republic (UAR) seeing it as unacceptably dominated by Egypt Go to United Arab Republic in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Asia Lebanon and Syria
1962	Adolf Eichmann, convicted in Israel for his role in the Holocaust, is hanged in Tel Aviv Go to Eichmann, Karl Adolf (b. 19 Mar. 1906) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Asia Palestine and Israel
1963	A military coup in Syria brings the Ba'th party to power Go to Syria in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Asia Lebanon and Syria
1964	The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) is founded at a congress in East Jerusalem, then part of Jordan Go to Palestine Liberation Organization in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Jerusalem Egypt Asia Palestine and Israel
1967	A pre-emptive air strike by Israel destroys almost all Egypt's aircraft and launches the Six-Day War Go to Six Day War in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century War Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Palestine and Israel Israel captures the Gaza Strip and Sinai peninsula from Egypt Go to Six Day War in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century War Asia Palestine and Israel Israel captures East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan Go to Six Day War in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century War Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Israel captures the Golan Heights from Syria in the Six-Day War Go to Six Day War in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century War Asia Lebanon and Syria Palestine and Israel English cellist Jacqueline du Pré marries Israeli pianist Daniel Barenboim Go to du Pré, Jacqueline (1945–1987) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Performing arts Music Great Britain - from 1707 United Kingdom - from 1801 British Isles Asia Palestine and Israel Europe Britain
1968	A military coup in Iraq brings to power a government composed mainly of Ba'thists Go to Iraq in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
1969	At a congress in Cairo, Yasser Arafat is appointed leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Go to Arafat, Yasser (1929–2004) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Palestine and Israel On the death of Levi Eshkol, Golda Meir succeeds him as leader of a coalition government in Israel Go to Meir, Golda (1898–1978) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1960s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel
1970	Qaboos bin Sa'id seizes the throne from his father, Sultan Sa'id, in a palace coup in Oman Go to Al-Said, Qaboos bin Said (18 Nov. 1940) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Ba'thist leader Hafiz al-Assad takes power in a military coup in Syria Go to Assad, Hafiz al (1928–2000) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Asia Lebanon and Syria King Hussein of Jordan orders the disarming of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) after violent clashes with his own troops Go to PLO in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Asia
1971	King Hussein, alarmed at the continuing power of Palestinian guerrillas within Jordan, expels the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Go to Hussein ibn Talal (b. 14 Nov. 1935) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Asia The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), expelled from Jordan, makes a new base in Lebanon Go to PLO in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Asia Lebanon and Syria
1972	Eleven Israeli athletes are killed by Palestinian 'Black September' terrorists at the Munich Olympic Games Go to Black September in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia Palestine and Israel Germany
1973	Likud is formed in Israel as an alliance of right-wing parties Go to Likud (‘Union’), Israel in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Democracy and dissent Asia Palestine and Israel Egypt and Syria launch a surprise attack against Israel on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement Go to Yom Kippur War (Oct. 1973) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century War Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Palestine and Israel Arab oil-exporting countries cause an economic crisis by denying oil to western countries supporting Israel Go to oil crisis in A Dictionary of Economics (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Commerce and industry Africa North Africa Asia Palestine and Israel Society North America A cease-fire brokered by the USA and UN brings the Yom Kippur War to and end after 18 days Go to Yom Kippur War (Oct. 1973) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century War Asia Palestine and Israel
1974	Golda Meir resigns and Yitzhak Rabin succeeds her as leader of the Labour party and Israeli prime minister Go to Rabin, Yitzhak (b. 1 Mar. 1922) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel
1976	In a daring raid on Entebbe airport, Israeli troops rescue hostages hijacked on a flight from Tel Aviv to Paris Go to Entebbe Raid in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Social and domestic Africa East Africa Asia Palestine and Israel Society
1977	Likud leader Menachem Begin, at the head of a coalition government, becomes Israel's first non-socialist prime minister Go to Begin, Menachem (b. 16 Aug. 1913) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel Anwar el-Sadat, the Egyptian president, travels to Jerusalem to propose a peace plan to the Israelis Go to Sadat, Anwar Mohammed (25 Dec. 1918) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Jerusalem Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Palestine and Israel
1978	Anwar el-Sadat and Menachem Begin sign an Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty at Camp David in the USA Go to Camp David Accords (Sept. 1978) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics US presidents Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Palestine and Israel Rulers and politicians North America United States Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian president Anwar el-Sadat share the Nobel Peace Prize Go to Sadat, Mohammed Anwar al (1918–1981) in Who's Who in the Twentieth Century (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Africa North Africa Egypt Asia Palestine and Israel
1979	Saddam Hussein begins a reign of terror in Iraq, reading out at a meeting the names of fellow Ba'thists who are to be taken out and shot Go to Hussein, Saddam (28 Apr. 1937) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1970s 20th century Politics Persecution and repression Terrorism and assassination Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
1980	Saddam Hussein invades Iran, beginning an 8-year war that will bring massive human cost Go to Iran–Iraq War (1980–8) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century War Mesopotamia Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Iraq
1982	Israeli Minister of Defence Ariel Sharon heads Israel's invasion of Lebanon to expel the PLO Go to Sharon, Ariel (b. 27 Feb. 1928) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics War Asia Lebanon and Syria Palestine and Israel Yasser Arafat and the PLO move to Tunisia, after being driven out of Lebanon by Israel Go to PLO in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Africa North Africa Asia Lebanon and Syria Palestine and Israel Christian militiamen massacre Palestinian refugees in the Sabra and Chatila camps in Lebanon Go to Lebanon in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Persecution and repression Religion Christianity Islam Asia Lebanon and Syria Hezbollah emerges in Lebanon as an Iranian-sponsored resistance movement against the Israeli occupation of the southern part of the country Go to Hezbollah in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Religion Islam Asia Lebanon and Syria Palestine and Israel
1985	President Reagan's administration breaks a US embargo with secret arms sales to Iran in return for assistance in the release of US hostages in Lebanon Go to Reagan, Ronald (6 Feb. 1911) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics US presidents Mesopotamia Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Iraq Rulers and politicians North America United States
1987	An Intifada begins against Israeli occupation of Palestinian land Go to intifada in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Religion Islam Asia Palestine and Israel Hamas (acronym in Arabic for 'Movement for Islamic Resistance') is founded in the occupied territories to lead armed resistance against Israel Go to Hamas in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Protest and rebellion Terrorism and assassination Religion Islam Asia Palestine and Israel
1988	Yasser Arafat, leader of the PLO, declares that the organization renounces 'terrorism in all its forms' Go to Arafat, Yasser Mohammed (24 Aug. 1929) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia Palestine and Israel The Iran-Iraq war ends with the border between the countries unchanged and more than a million dead Go to Iran–Iraq War (1980–8) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century War Mesopotamia Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) Iraq Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein uses chemical weapons against the Kurds of northern Iraq Go to Hussein, Saddam (28 Apr. 1937) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1980s 20th century Politics Persecution and repression Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
1990	Iraqi troops cross the border into Kuwait and are soon in control of the whole country and its oil wells Go to Kuwait in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century War Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Saddam Hussein announces the annexation of Kuwait, claiming it to have been historically part of Iraq Go to Hussein, Saddam (28 Apr. 1937) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Conquest and colonization War Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
1991	The Gulf War begins when Iraq fails to meet the UN deadline for withdrawal from Kuwait Go to Gulf War (1991) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century War Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Expelled from his own country, Saudi Arabia, Osama bin Laden moves to Sudan where he continues to develop al-Qaeda Go to Bin Laden, Osama (1957–2011) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Africa North Africa Asia With all Iraqi troops expelled from Kuwait by Allied tanks, President Bush declares a ceasefire in the Gulf War Go to Gulf War (1991) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century War US presidents Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Rulers and politicians Armenia delcares its independence from the USSR, 70 years after it was annexed Go to Armenia in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Asia Kurds in northern Iraq achieves a measure of autonomy in a safe haven imposed by the UN Go to Kurds in The Oxford Dictionary of Islam (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
1992	Yitzhak Rabin returns as prime minister of Israel after the Labour party wins a general election Go to Rabin, Yitzhak (1 Mar. 1922) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel
1993	The Oslo Accords, brokered by the Norwegian government between the PLO and Israel, are seen as a breakthrough in the Middle East crisis Go to Oslo Accords in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel Europe Norway Meeting in Washington, Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat accept the Oslo Accords, promising autonomy for Palestine within five years Go to Oslo Accords in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics US presidents Asia Palestine and Israel Rulers and politicians North America United States
1994	Israel recognizes the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the representative body of the Palestinian people Go to PLO in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin share the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to solve the Israel-Palestine problem Go to Arafat, Yasser Mohammed (24 Aug. 1929) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel The Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and Hussein, the king of Jordan, sign a historic peace agreement Go to Rabin, Yitzhak (1 Mar. 1922) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel
1995	Yitzhak Rabin, after addressing a mass rally for peace in Tel Aviv, is killed by an Israeli assassin Go to Rabin, Yitzhak (1 Mar. 1922) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia Palestine and Israel
1996	Yasser Arafat is elected president of the new Palestinian National Authority Go to Arafat, Yasser Mohammed (24 Aug. 1929) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel Benjamin Netanyahu leads the Likud party to victory in an Israeli election overshadowed by Palestinian suicide bombers Go to Netanyahu, Benjamin (b. 21 Oct. 1949) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel
1999	King Hussein of Jordan dies and is succeeded by his son as Abdullah II Go to Abdullah II bin Al Hussein (b. 30 Jan. 1962) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Dynasties and royalty Asia Moderate Shiite cleric Muhammad Sadiq al-Sadr and two of his sons are assassinated in the Iraqi city of Najaf Go to Ṣadr, Muḥammad-Ṣadiq al- in The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Islamic World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Terrorism and assassination Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Ehud Barak becomes prime minister after leading the Labour party to election victory in Israel Go to Barak, Ehud (b. 12 Feb. 1942) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1990s 20th century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel
2000	Israel completes the withdrawal of its troops from southern Lebanon Go to Lebanon in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century War Asia Lebanon and Syria Palestine and Israel A visit by Ariel Sharon to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem sparks off a new intifada Go to Sharon, Ariel (b. 27 Feb. 1928) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Jerusalem Asia Palestine and Israel Suicide bombers kill 17 crew members of the destroyer USS Cole in Aden harbour Go to Yemen in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia Hafiz al-Assad dies and is succeeded by his son Bashar as president of Syria Go to Al-Assad, Bashar (11 Sept. 1965) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia Lebanon and Syria
2001	Ariel Sharon is elected prime minister of Israel on the platform of taking a tough line with the PLO Go to Sharon, Ariel (b. 27 Feb. 1928) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel US President George W. Bush revives bitter memories in the Middle East when he describes the war on terrorism as a 'crusade' Go to Bush, George W. (1946– ) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia North America United States
2003	US, British, Australian and Polish forces invade Iraq Go to Iraq War (2003) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century War Mesopotamia Asia Iraq US forces are in control of Baghdad and an excited crowd topples from its plinth a massive statue of Saddam Hussein Go to Hussein, Saddam (28 Apr. 1937) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century War Mesopotamia Asia Iraq President Bush prematurely celebrates his Iraq achievement with a speech on a US aircraft carrier in front of a banner declaring 'Mission Accomplished' Go to Iraq War in Oxford Encyclopedia of the Modern World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century War US presidents Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Rulers and politicians Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is found hiding in a subterranean hole in a farmyard near Tikrit Go to Hussein, Saddam (28 Apr. 1937) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
2004	Abuses in the US military prison at Abu Ghraib in Iraq are revealed on US television Go to detention without trial in The New Oxford Companion to Law (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Persecution and repression Mesopotamia Asia Iraq North America United States Palestinian president Yasser Arafat dies in a hospital near Paris Go to Arafat, Yasser Mohammed (24 Aug. 1929) in A Dictionary of Political Biography (1 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel Europe France
2005	Mahmoud Abbas is elected president of the Palestinian Authority, following the death of Yasser Arafat Go to Abbas, Mahmoud (b. 26 Mar. 1935) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel Lebanon's former prime minister Rafik Hariri is killed when a massive bomb is detonated as his car passes in Beirut Go to Lebanon in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia Lebanon and Syria Following local and international pressure after the death of Rafik Hariri, Syria withdraws the last of its troops from Lebanon Go to Lebanon in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Conquest and colonization War Asia Lebanon and Syria Israel uses force to remove settlers who refuse to leave Gaza in accordance with Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan Go to Sharon, Ariel (1928– ) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Conquest and colonization Asia Palestine and Israel The Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, resigns from his party (Likud) with the intention of forming a new one (Kadima) Go to Sharon, Ariel (1928– ) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel The first general election is held in Iraq, for 275 members of a permanent Iraqi General Assembly Go to Iraq in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Democracy and dissent Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
2006	Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon suffers a massive stroke which leaves him in a coma Go to Sharon, Ariel (1928– ) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel Hamas, defined in many countries as a terrorist organization, wins the majority of seats in elections to the Palestinian Legislative Council Go to Hamas in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Terrorism and assassination Asia Palestine and Israel Kadima, the party founded by Ariel Sharon, wins the most seats in the Israeli elections Go to Kadima in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel Ehud Olmert, Sharon's successor as leader of Kadima, becomes Israel's prime minister at the head of a coalition government Go to Olmert, Ehud (b. 30 Sept 1945) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Asia Palestine and Israel Hamas militants take hostage an Israeli corporal, provoking a new Israeli military campaign against Gaza Go to Hamas in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Persecution and repression Terrorism and assassination Asia Palestine and Israel Hezbollah takes two Israeli soldiers hostage, provoking the renewal of air and rocket warfare on the Israel-Lebanon border Go to Hezbollah in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Terrorism and assassination War Asia Lebanon and Syria Palestine and Israel A UN-sponsored cease-fire comes into effect in the conflict between Israeli and Hezbollah forces in south Lebanon Go to Hezbollah in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century War Asia Palestine and Israel An Iraqi court sentences former dictator Saddam Hussein and two of his senior colleagues to death by hanging Go to Hussein, Saddam (1937–2006) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Mesopotamia Asia Iraq Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein is hanged in Baghdad, a month after being convicted of a few of his crimes Go to Hussein, Saddam (1937–2006) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Mesopotamia Asia Iraq
2009	Global stock markets fall when Dubai seems in danger of being unable to service its massive $80 billion of debt Go to Dubai in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Commerce and industry Asia Society Abu Dhabi provides Dubai with $10 billion of debt relief, reducing the threat of a new major financial crisis Go to Abu Dhabi in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Commerce and industry Asia Society
2010	The Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai is inaugurated, entering the record books as the world tallest building at 828 m (2717 ft) Go to Dubai in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Architecture Asia Israeli soldiers board an aid flotilla headed for Gaza and in the resulting violence kill nine Turkish activists on the Mavi Marmara Go to flotilla in The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Asia
2011	Protests begin in Jordan, causing King Abdullah to form a new cabinet on February 1 with the brief to introduce reform and steps towards democracy Go to Abdullah II bin Al Hussein (b. 30 Jan. 1962) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Democracy and dissent Persecution and repression Protest and rebellion Asia Protests begin in Syria, rising over the following months to the level of an uprising as demands for Bashar al-Assad to resign are met with increasing brutality Go to Assad, Bashar al- (b. 11 Sept. 1965) in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Democracy and dissent Persecution and repression Protest and rebellion Asia Lebanon and Syria A major demonstration is held in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, demanding the resignation of the president, Ali Abdullah Saleh Go to Yemen in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Democracy and dissent Persecution and repression Protest and rebellion Asia Police in Bahrain make a night raid on peaceful protesters encamped in the capital city's Pearl Roundabout, killing three Go to Bahrain in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Democracy and dissent Persecution and repression Protest and rebellion Asia The demands of protesters in Bahrain extend to include the overthrow of the monarchy, after a second day of government forces using live rounds Go to Bahrain in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Democracy and dissent Persecution and repression Protest and rebellion Asia Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates agree to send troops and police to strengthen government forces in Bahrain Go to Bahrain in A Dictionary of Contemporary World History (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Democracy and dissent Persecution and repression Protest and rebellion Asia President Saleh is flown to Egypt for medical treatment, after being wounded on the previous day by an explosion in the government compound in Sana'a Go to Yemen in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Democracy and dissent Persecution and repression Protest and rebellion Asia In response to the continuing uprising the Syrian government launches an attack with tanks against several of the country's cities, in particular Hama Go to Hama in The Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 21st century Politics Democracy and dissent Persecution and repression Protest and rebellion Asia Lebanon and Syria

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date: 03 December 2023

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