| 2060 BC Third Dynasty Of Ur Founded (Sumeria)- Urnammu of Ur seized power from Utukhegal and founded a new Sumerian dynasty. Under his son, Shulgi, the empire of Ur extended as far as Anatolia. Like his Sumerian forbearers, Shulgi declared himself to be a god. During this period, an extensive building campaign was undertaken by the Empire. It was also a golden period for Sumerian literature. In about 1965 B.C., the Amorites overran Sumer and Akkad. Finally, Ur was attacked and destroyed, thereby ending the golden age. |
| 2000 BC Great Stone Palaces At Knossos Built- The stone palaces at Knossus and Malia were built on Crete at around 2000 BC. The palaces were designed to help keep the temperature as cool as possible. They also contained indoor plumbing. |
| 2000 BC Babylonia Develop Mathematic System- The Babylonians developed a mathematical system based on units of 60. They also divided a circle into a 360 units. |
| 1900 BC Cotton Used For The First Time - Beginning around 1900 BC the Harappans became the first to grow and wove cotten into fabric. |
| 1900 BC Myceneans Arrive In Greece- Around 1900 B.C., the Mycenaeans arrived from the North and gained control of Greece. This was the period of Greek history written about by Homer, and known as the Heroic Period- or Mycenaean Age. |
| 1900 BC Middle Minoan Culture Begins - Minoan culture reached its high point during this period. Great palaces were built at Knossos, Phaistos and Mallia. There was a central government. Minoans began trading with other peoples both around the Aegean and as far away as Egypt. There is some evidence that the Minoans successfully collected tribute from many surrounding peoples. |
| 1991 -1786 BC Amenemhet I Founded the Middle Kingdom. He reduced the power of the nobles and established a strong central government. The new capital of Egypt became Lisht. During this period, Egyptian art and literature flourished. The practice of co-regency was introduced during this era. The Middle Kingdom reached the pinnacle of its might under Amenemehet III. |
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