• The Ancient World 1000 BC

The past few centuries have seen the ancient civilizations of the Middle East and the Aegean experience steep decline - in some cases complete collapse. Nevertheless, it is during these troubled times that two innovations of great importance for the future occur, the development of the alphabet and the spreading use of iron.

The eclipse of the leading Middle Eastern states has allowed new nations to come to the fore, notably the Phoenicians and the Israelites, who in their brief flowering as leading powers make a decisive impact on world history. Meanwhile, the first civilization of the Western hemisphere has arisen, that of the Olmecs.

Related Topics:
Ancient Greece

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