Distillation is described on Akkadian tablets documenting perfumery operations.

Tags: Ancient Mesopotamia, Early Science

Tiglath-Pileser I becomes King of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Political Leadership, Imperialism

Tiglath-Pileser II becomes King of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession, Bronze Age

Death of Tiglath-Pileser II king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession, Royal Authority, Bronze Age

Adad-nirari II succeeds his father Ashur-Dan II as king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession

Tukulti-Ninurta II succeeds his father Adad-nirari II as king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession

Ashurnasirpal II succeeds his father Tukulti-Ninurta II as king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession

~880 BC: Ashurnasirpal II moves the Assyrian capital from Assur to Nimrud.

Tags: Capital City, Political Restructuring, Imperialism

Shalmaneser III succeeds Ashurnasirpal II as king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Imperialism, Succession, Shalmaneser III

Death of Shalmaneser III, king of Assyria. He is succeeded by his son Shamshi-Adad V.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession, Political History

Adad-nirari III succeeds his father Shamshi-Adad V as king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession, Political History, Bronze Age

Tiglath-Pileser III, king of Assyria, b. 795 BC, r. 745–727 BC

Tags: Monarchy, Political Leaders, Imperialism

Shalmaneser IV succeeds his father Adad-nirari III as king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession, Political History, Empire

Adad-nirari III, king of Assyria, r. 811–783 BC

Tags: Monarchy, Succession, Iron Age

Ashur-Dan III succeeds his brother Shalmaneser IV as king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession, Political History

Shalmaneser IV, king of Assyria, r. 783–773 BC

Tags: Monarchy, Political History

Ashur-nirari V succeeds Ashur-Dan III as king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession

Ashur-dan III, king of Assyria, r. 773–755 BC

Tags: Monarchy, Political History

February 26, 747 BC: Nabonassar becomes king of Babylon.

Tags: Monarchy, Political Leadership

The crown of Assyria is seized by Pul, who takes the name Tiglath-Pileser III.

Tags: Monarchy, Imperialism, Military History, Political Upheaval, Tiglath-Pileser III, Empire Building

Ashur-nirari V, king of Assyria, r. 755–745 BC

Tags: Monarchy, Political History

Sennacherib, king of Assyria, b. 745 BC, r. 705–681 BC

Tags: King, Monarchy, Ruler

Nabonassar, king of Babylon, r. 747–734 BC

Tags: Ancient Mesopotamia, Monarchy

Babylonia makes itself independent of Assyria.

Tags: Babylonia, Independence, Political History, Empire, Monarchy, Rebellion

Hoshea, king of Israel, r. 732–722 BC

Tags: Kingdom of Israel, Monarchy, Political Collapse, Iron Age

Shalmaneser V, king of Assyria, r. 727–722 BC

Tags: Monarchy, Imperialism, Succession

Sargon II founds a new capital for Assyria at Dur-Sharrukin.

Tags: Sargon II, Capital City, Imperialism, Urban Planning

Sennacherib succeeds Sargon II as king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession, Sennacherib, Sargon II, Imperialism

Sargon II, king of Assyria, b. 760s BC, r. 722–705 BC

Tags: Sargon II, King, Empire, Succession

Sennacherib moves the capital of Assyria to Nineveh.

Tags: Sennacherib, Capital City, Political History, Imperialism, Urban Development

Waterproof concrete in use, by the Assyrians. Later, the Romans developed concretes that could set underwater, and used concrete extensively for const...

Tags: Ancient Civilizations, Construction, Roman Empire, Concrete

Esarhaddon succeeds Sennacherib as king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession, Empire, Political History, Esarhaddon, Sennacherib

Esarhaddon begins the rebuilding of Babylon.

Tags: Esarhaddon, Religion, Temple, Reconstruction

Assurbanipal succeeds his father Esarhaddon as king of Assyria.

Tags: Monarchy, Imperialism, Succession, Assurbanipal

Shamash-shum-ukin, son of Esarhaddon, becomes King of Babylon.

Tags: Ancient Mesopotamia, Monarchy, Succession, Shamash-shum-ukin, Esarhaddon

Achaemenid dynasty in Persia.

Tags: Achaemenid Dynasty, Political Development, Empire Building, Warfare, Cyrus the Great

Death of Assurbanipal, king of Assyria; he is succeeded by Assur-etel-ilani (approximate date).

Tags: Assurbanipal, Monarchy, Succession, Political History

Nabopolassar revolts against Assyria, founds the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

Tags: Babylonia, Rebellion, Monarchy, Political Change

Sin-shar-ishkun succeeds his brother Assur-etel-ilani as king of Assyria (approximate date).

Tags: Monarchy, Succession, Political History

Nebuchadnezzar II succeeds his father Nabopolassar as King of Babylon.

Tags: Ancient Mesopotamia, Monarchy, Nebuchadnezzar II, Succession

Nebuchadnezzar builds the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Tags: Ancient Mesopotamia, Nebuchadnezzar II, Architecture, Art History, Ancient World

585 BC/584 BC: Astyages succeeds Cyaxares as King of the Medes.

Tags: Median Empire, Monarchy, Succession, Iron Age

Amel-Marduk succeeds Nebuchadnezzar as King of Babylon.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession, Nebuchadnezzar II

Neriglissar succeeds Amel-Marduk as King of Babylon.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession

Labashi-Marduk succeeds Neriglissar as King of Babylon.

Tags: Monarchy, Succession

Return of some Jews from Babylonian exile who build the Second Temple about fifty years after the destruction of the First Temple, from 520 BC–516 BC.

Tags: Judaism, Exile, Second Temple, Religious History, Jewish History, Cyrus the Great, Persian Empire

Jews transported to Babylon are allowed to return to Jerusalem, bringing to a close the Babylonian captivity.

Tags: Babylonian Exile, Jewish History, Second Temple Period, Religious Freedom, Persian Empire, Exile, Cyrus the Great

According to tradition, the Biblical prophet Daniel receives an angelic visit from the archangel Gabriel.

Tags: Judaism, Prophecy, Hebrew Bible, Religious Figures, Babylonian Exile

Xerxes I abolishes the Kingdom of Babel and removes the golden statue of Bel (Marduk, Merodach).

Tags: Achaemenid Empire, Religious Violence, Xerxes I, Cyrus the Great, Antiquity

In Babylon, Alexander the Great dies, ten days after being taken ill after a prolonged banquet and drinking bout.

Tags: Ancient greece, Alexander the Great, Macedonian Empire, Empire, Succession, Death, Military History, Ancient World

The Partition of Babylon saw Alexander the Great's empire divided among his generals after his death, a compromise reached largely due to disagreement...

Tags: Ancient greece, Alexander the Great, Empire, Partition, Power Struggle, Military

Antiochus I Soter, on the assassination of his father Seleucus becomes emperor of the Seleucid empire.

Tags: Seleucid Empire, Ancient greece, Monarchy, Succession, Empire Building

Antiochus II Theos, 2nd son, at the death of his father becomes emperor of the Seleucid empire.

Tags: Seleucid Empire, Ancient greece, Monarchy, Succession, Diadochi

Mithridates I, great king of the Parthian empire

Tags: Parthian Empire, Ancient Iran, Ancient greece, Monarchy, Rulers, Succession, Political History, Empire Building

King Phraataces and Queen Musa of Parthia are overthrown and killed, the crown being offered to Orodes III of Parthia—the beginning of the interregnum...

Tags: Monarchy, Interregnum, Succession, Political Instability, Roman Empire

Orodes III, king (shah) of the Parthian Empire

Tags: Parthian Empire, Monarchy, Succession

Artabanus II becomes ruler of Parthia.

Tags: Ancient Iran, Iranian Plateau, Monarchy, Succession, Ancient greece, Empire

Tiridates III becomes king of Parthia (until AD 36).

Tags: Kingdom, Succession, Monarchy, Ancient greece

Vardanes I, king of the Parthian Empire (approximate date)

Tags: Parthian Empire, Monarchy, Political History, Iranian History, Ancient greece

Vonones II dies a few months after he had ascended to the throne. His son Vologases I becomes the new Parthian king.

Tags: Parthian Empire, Monarchy, Succession, Political Transition, Vologases I

Gotarzes II, king of the Parthian Empire

Tags: Parthian Empire, Monarchy, Ancient Iran, Succession, Ancient greece

Izates bar Monobaz, Parthian client king (b. c. AD 1)

Tags: Parthian Empire, Monarchy, Client Kingdom, Succession, Regional Politics, Roman Empire

Gamaliel the Elder, Jewish ruler (Nasi) in Babylonia (approximate date)

Tags: Jewish History, Rabbinic Judaism, Babylonia, Nasi, Sanhedrin, Religious Authority, Diaspora

First Epistle of Peter written from Babylon according to traditional Christian belief.

Tags: Christianity, Biblical Literature, Epistles, Peter the Apostle, Roman Empire, Theology

Abdagases I, king of the Parthian Empire (approximate date)

Tags: Parthian Empire, Monarchy, Political History, Rulers

Pacorus II becomes king of the Parthian Empire (r. 78–115).

Tags: Parthian Empire, Monarchy, Succession, Iranian Plateau, Rulers, Imperialism

Vologases II, king of the Parthian Empire

Tags: Parthian Empire, Kings and Rulers, Iranian History, Succession, Political Leadership

Artabanus III, king of the Parthian Empire

Tags: Parthian Empire, Monarchy, Succession, Imperialism, Governance

661: The First Fitna occurs.

Tags: Islamic History, Caliphate, Civil War, Rashidun Caliphate, Umayyad Dynasty, Sunni Islam, Shia Islam, Political Instability

Caliph Ali ibn Abi Talib is assassinated. His successor Hasan ibn Ali abdicated the Caliphate to Muawiyah I, marking the beginning of the Umayyad Cali...

Tags: Islamic History, Caliphate, Umayyad Dynasty, Shia Islam, Sunni Islam, Succession, Civil War, Political Assassination

Battle of Karbala took place near Kufa, which resulted in the death of Husayn ibn Ali and the division of Muslim community.

Tags: Islam, Shia Islam, Sunni Islam, Caliphate, Umayyad Caliphate, Religious Conflict, Civil War, Martyrdom, Early Islam

685: The Second Fitna.

Tags: Islam, Caliphate, Umayyad Caliphate, Civil War, Political Instability, Religious Conflict, Sunni Islam, Shia Islam

Death of Arab caliph Abd al-Malik, his succession by his nominated heir and elder son al-Walid.

Tags: Umayyad Caliphate, Caliph, Succession, Dynasty, Political History, Middle Ages, Early Islam

Death of caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz and succession of his cousin Yazid II on 4 February 720.

Tags: Caliphate, Umayyad Dynasty, Succession, Islamic History, Political Transition, Religious Leadership, Governance

Death of caliph Yazid II and he was succeeded by his brother and nominated heir Hisham.

Tags: Caliphate, Umayyad Caliphate, Succession, Islamic History, Political Transition, Early Islam, Middle Ages

Death of Arab caliph Hisham and succession of his nephew and heir Al-Walid II.

Tags: Caliphate, Umayyad Caliphate, Succession, Political Transition, Islamic History, Middle Ages, Dynastic Politics

Assassination of Al-Walid II, Succession of Yazid III to the Caliphal throne on 17 April 744.

Tags: Caliphate, Umayyad Dynasty, Succession, Islamic History, Political Instability, Civil War, Leadership Change, Assassination

Death of Yazid III and his succession by his brother and nominated heir Ibrahim ibn al-Walid. On 4 December Ibrahim was forced to Abdicate in favour M...

Tags: Caliphate, Umayyad Caliphate, Succession, Civil War, Islamic History, Political Instability, Middle Ages

The last Umayyad Caliph Marwan II (744–750) is overthrown and executed by the first Abbasid Caliph, Abu al-Abbas al-Saffah. The Caliphate is moved to...

Tags: Caliphate, Islamic History, Umayyad Dynasty, Political Transition, Middle Ages, Islamic Golden Age

Death of Abbasid caliph al-Saffah and ascension of caliph al-Mansur to Arab Caliphate.

Tags: Caliphate, Abbasid Caliphate, Islamic History, Succession, Political Transition, Middle Ages, Islam, Dynastic Change

Death of caliph al-Mansur and he was succeeded by al-Mahdi.

Tags: Abbasid Caliphate, Succession, Political Leadership, Middle Ages, Islamic History

Death of Abbasid caliph al-Mahdi and succession of al-Hadi on 24 July 785. The Tang dynasty begins landing regular maritime missions on the coast of E...

Tags: Abbasid Caliphate, Tang Dynasty, Succession, Maritime Trade, Political Transition, Diplomacy, Economy

Death of Abbasid caliph al-Hadi and ascension of caliph Harun al-Rashid.

Tags: Abbasid Caliphate, Caliph, Succession, Islamic History, Middle Ages, Political Transition

Assassination of Abbasid caliph al-Mutawakkil (r. 847–861) and decline of the Abbasid Caliphate.Coin issued during al-Mutawakkil's reign in the mid-9t...

Tags: Abbasid Caliphate, Caliphate, Islamic History, Assassination, Political Instability, Decline of Empires, Middle Ages

Ahmad ibn Tulun breaks away from the Abbasid Caliphate and establishes the independent Tulunid dynasty.

Tags: Dynasty, Caliphate, Abbasid Caliphate, Independence, Military, Political Fragmentation, Middle Ages, Islamic World

The Zirids, a Berber dynasty of North Africa, break their allegiance with the Fatimid court of Egypt and recognize the Abbasids of Baghdad as the true...

Tags: Berber, Dynasty, Caliphate, Islam, Religious Authority

The death of the Ilkhan Abu Said causes the disintegration of the Mongol rule in Persia.

Tags: Mongol Empire, Succession, Political Instability, Fragmentation, Middle Ages

August 16: Mustafa Barzani founds the Kurdistan Democratic Party.

Tags: Political Parties, Independence Movements, Post-War, Ethnic Conflict, Regional Politics

December 30: Execution of Saddam Hussein by hanging.

Tags: Iraq War, Saddam Hussein, Execution, War on Terror, International Law, Human Rights, Regime Change

Arab Spring: revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya follow, as well as uprisings in Yemen and Bahrain, and protests in several other Arab countries.

Tags: Political Revolution, Democracy, Authoritarianism, Protests, Civil Unrest, Geopolitics, Arab World, Dictatorship, Social Media, Human Rights

First post-ISIL election in Iraq.

Tags: Post-Conflict, Elections, ISIL, Political Transition, Democracy

March 6: Pope Francis meets with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, Iraq. It is the first-ever meeting between a pope and a grand ayatollah.

Tags: Pope Francis, Catholicism, Shia Islam, Religious Leaders, Vatican City