Ancient Middle East
The ancient Middle East—often referred to as the “cradle of civilization”—gave rise to some of the greatest empires in human history, including Mesopotamia, Babylonia, the Persian Empire and the Byzantine Empire.
Start Here
A largely tolerant and merciful ruler, Persian king Cyrus the Great established one of the largest empires in world history.
The Sumerian people of Mesopotamia had a flair for innovation. Here's how they left their mark.
Environmental factors helped agriculture, architecture and eventually a social order emerge for the first time in ancient Mesopotamia.
The collection of laws and regulations carved into stone thousands of years ago carries principles and ideas that are still applied today.
8 Ancient Empires
8 Ancient Empires You’ve Never Heard Of
Grab your fedora and bullwhip as we unearth eight amazing yet obscure ancient empires in this episode of History Countdown.
3 Goods Traded Along the Silk Road
Explore All Related Topics
These books attempt to answer the question: 'What happened?'
These sleek predators were once part of hunting traditions across the ancient world.
A cryptic biblical mention is only part of the story behind this 'night demon.'
Scientists are uncovering the mystery of this legendary sword metal.
The romantic smooch is old but not universal.
The Silk Road was a vital trading route connecting East and West—but it also became a conduit for one of history's deadliest pandemics.
Most may associate mummy-making with ancient Egypt, but evidence suggests the practice dates back thousands of years earlier.
The Plague of Justinian peaked in the year 542 and lasted for two centuries, contributing to the fall of the Roman Empire.
The Persian Empire is the name given to a series of dynasties centered in modern-day Iran, beginning with the conquests of Cyrus the Great around 550 B.C.
Mesopotamia was a region of southwest Asia between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers from which human civilization and world-changing inventions emerged.
It likely originated in ancient Mesopotamia.
A priestess named Enheduanna claimed authorship to poetry and other texts—sometimes in first-person—more than a millennium before Homer.
Mystery surrounds the only woman to appear on the Sumerian King List.
