The land we call Syria is abbreviated from Assyria because the name stuck after Assyria fell in 612. It is arbitrarily called Aram here because the Torah calls it Aram even before the Arameans arrived.
c.2000 | Timber resources of Lebanon are already depleted. | 2000 mxfld |
c. 2000 | CANAAN: EARLY BRONZE AGE from 3000 ends. MIDDLE BRONZE AGE begins until 1525. |
2200 FHBC 197 2100 IDB 1-207 2000 PAE 78, WBANE 86, FLAP 125, RAI2 196 |
---|---|---|
MIDDLE BRONZE-I begins until 1900. | ||
Amorites enter and settle unfortified villages in hill country and Jordan valley. Handmade pottery. Many COPPER tools replace flint. Scattered settlements, little architecture. (For copper, see Britain 1950, Sumerian cubit 1950, Amenhemhet-III 1842, Asia 1800, Ganges Valley 1800) |
c.2000 | Solid wheeled carts and wagons, around upper Euphrates from 2200, appear in north Aram (later called Syria), and in south Asia, Europe, Crete, and Egypt, also Canaan by at least 1600. (See Anatolia 1800, China 1300) | 3500 B76 X-643 2000 B76 19-521, SHT 1-211 |
c.2000 | SPOKED WHEELS appear in Aram V,
Asia,
Mesopotamia, Persia, and
Egypt. (See Europe 1500, Crete 1500, China 1300) |
2000 B76 X-643 |
by 2000 | CHARIOTS, used in Sumeria from before 2500, appear in north Aram. | by 2000 SHT 1-209 |
c.2000 | OXEN and ONAGERS are the only draught animals attested anywhere from their original domestication down to 2000. | 2000 SHT 1-721 |
c.2000 | ![]() |
photo Inge 2000 mxfld, wikEb |
c.2000 | GEBAL (later called Byblos) comes under Egypt until 1800. | 2000 rcLeb |
c.2000 | GALILEE, under Semitic nomads from ?, comes partly under Hazor until 1480. See 1500. | 1480 rcHL |
c.2000 | BETHEL "House of El", Canaan founded. | 2000 IDB 1-391 |
c.1975 | MEDICINE: PHYSICIANS become an important profession in Babylonia and Aram. (See Kahun papyrus 1800) | 2000-1951 TTS |
c.1950 | Many SLAVES are imported from Egypt. Canaanite households commonly have 3. | post-2000 mxfld |
c.1950 | SINUHE, Egyptian fugitive, travels in Aram. | 1950 MCAW 21 |
c.1950 | GEBAL (later called Byblos) becomes rich from exporting timber to Egypt 12th dynasty. | 2000 TTPC 1900 MCAW 21 no date: B76 II-414 |
c.1900 | MIDDLE BRONZE-I in Levant from 2000, ends because of Amorite immigration. MIDDLE BRONZE-IIa begins until 1725. |
2090 bivu 2000 FHBC 197 1900 WBANE 74, 88, IDB 1-207 |
c.1900 | ACCO comes under Egypt until 1200. | 1900 rcHL |
c.1900 | ARCH made of mud-brick built by Canaanites at city gate of Askelon. (See Mycenean 1300, Smyrna 825) | 1900 TTT 1850 wikArch |
c.1900 | JERICHO, under Amorites from 2300, comes under Caanites until 1260, but destroyed 1550. | 1900 rcCan |
c.1900 | Execration Texts in Canaan evidenced by potsherds. Names of enemies are inscribed on vases which are subsequently destroyed in effigy. Most examples are in Egypt. | 1900 Jud 13-473 no date: wikET |
c.1900 | SHECHEM V occupied until 1550. | 2000 Sdl 3-366 1900 IDB Sup-821 |
c.1858 | JACOB and ESAU born to ISAAC and REBEKAH. | 2007 htc 2006 ds 2005 bivu 1858 trubi 1836 fnj 1831 btl |
c.1850 | Levant raided by SENUSRET-III, 5th pharaoh of 12th dynasty 1877-43. A first for any pharaoh. | 1850 MCAW 20 1818 Wiki no date: BHoE 187 |
c.1850 | ![]() |
photo {{PD-US}} 1860 wikLABA |
c.1850 | AMURRU invaded by SARGON-I, king of Akkad. | Sargon yr 11 IDB 1-115 |
c.1850 | AMORITES of Arabia begin a new wave of expansion into Fertile Crescent. | 1850 mxfld |
c.1844 | ABRAHAM dies. | 1992 htc 1991 CBCOT 1990 bivu 1844/3 trubi 1816 btl |
c.1840 | ABI-SHEMU-I becomes king of Gebal until 1820. | 1840 Bill 1820 wikLKB |
c.1820 | ABI-SHEMU-I, king of Gebal from 1840, ends. YAPI-SHEMU-ABI succeeds to 1795. | 1820 Bill 1795 wikLKB |
c.1800 | Oldest known written MUSIC V is at Ugarit. (See instruments 2000) | 1800 wikH |
c.1800 | Oldest known prohibitions against eating pork among shepherd tribes in Mid East. | 1800 ehst |
c.1800 | GEBAL (later called Byblos) under Egypt from 2000, independent until 1550. | 1800 rcLeb |
c.1800 | Tell JEMMEH (10 km south of Gaza) is reoccupied with a Middle Bronze settlement. | 1800 wikH |
c.1800 | Canaanite city of LACHISH becomes prominent until destroyed 1550. | 1800 hrtz |
c.1800 | ZIKLAG, town in Negev, comes under Egypt until 1200. | 1800 rcCan |
c.1795 | YAPI-SHEMU-ABI, king of Gebal from 1820, ends. YAKIN-EL succeeds to 1770. | 1840 Bill 1780 wikLKB |
c.1790 | Phoenician Alphabet a vessel found at Gebal contains (probably) Phoenician letters ayin and kaph. | post-1800 BBP 14 |
c.1775 | IAMKHAD, kindom from Mediterranean to Euphrates, capital: HALAP, rises to importance under Amorite king IARIM-LIM. | 1775 B76 17-933 |
c.1775 | JACOB marries Leah, then Rachel 7 years later. | 1960 htc 1922 CBCOT, bivu 1775 trubi 1747 btl |
c.1770 | YAKIN-EL, king of Gebal from 1795, ends. YANTIN-HAMMU succeeds to 1735. | 1770 Bill 1765 wikLKB |
c.1768 | ISHMAEL dies. | 1991 CBCOT 1768 btl |
c.1750 | SHECHEM, occupied 1900-1550, contains courtyard temples until 1650 made of small rooms and a plaza surrounding a central court open to the sky. | 1750 IDB sup-821 |
c.1735 | YANTIN-HAMMU, king of Gebal from 1770, ends. ILIMI-YAPI succeeds to 1720. | 1735 wikLKB |
c.1725 | HURRIANS, in north Mesopotamia from 1800, are now in north Aram, particularly Alalakh on the north Orontes. | 1725 WikH 1550 bk |
c.1725 | MIDDLE BRONZE-IIa, in Levant from 1900, evolves by innovations to MIDDLE BRONZE-IIb (Hyksos period) until 1640. | 1750 CWH 1750-00 WBANE 88 1700 IDB 1-207 |
Very thin pottery. Earth mound fortifications plastered over to prevent erosion. |
c.1720 | ILIMI-YAPI, king of Gebal from 1735, ends. ABISCHEMU succeeds until 1700. | 1720 wikLKB |
c.1720 | DAMASCUS comes under Amurru until 1570. | 1720 wikD |
c.1712 | JOSEPH sold into slavery. | 1898 CBCOT 1897 bivu 1712 btl |
c.1711 | ISAAC dies. | 1887 htc 1886 CBCOT 1885 bivu 1739 trubi 1711 btl |
c.1701 | JACOB & family move to Egypt. | 1877 htc 1876 CBCOT, ds 1875 bivu 1728 trubi 1701 btl |
c.1700 | CUNEIFORM WRITING is adopted thruout the Mid East for international communication. Some use the Babylonian language, some adopt cuneiform signs to their own language. Hittites do both. (See Mesopotamia 1700) | 1700 MCAW 25 |
c.1700 | QATNA, town just east of Orontes River, comes under Halap until 1600. | 1700 rcCan |
c.1700 | ABISCHEMU, king of Gebal from 1720, ends. YAPA SCHEMUABI succeeds until 1690. | 1700 wikLKB |
c.1700 | LACHISH, Canaanite city from 1800. fortified with a defensive ditch, 100 foot high wall, and plaster covered slope. | 1700 IDB 3-54 |
c.1700 | Earliest occupation of BETH-SHEMESH. | 1700 CAH 2.1-113 |
c.1690 | YAPA SCHEMUABI, king of Gebal from 1700, ends. AKERY succeeds until 1670. | 1690 wikLKB |
c.1684 | JACOB dies in Egypt. | 1879 Sdl 2-91 1860 htc 1859 CBCOT 1858 bivu 1711 trubi 1684 btl |
c.1670 | AKERY, king of Gebal from 1690, ends. AKAY succeeds until 1650. | 1670 wikLKB |
c.1650 | AKAY, king of Gebal from 1670, ends. Successor unknown until 1375. | 1650 wikLKB |
c.1650 | SHECHEM, occupied 1900-1550, Coutryard temples from 1750 are replaced with a massive fortress temple with walls 15' thick. | 1650 IDB Sup-821 |
c.1648 | HATTUSILI-I, king of Hittites 1650-20, invades Aram. | yr 2 hinf |
c.1648 | ALALAKH on the north Orontes, ruled by Ammitaqu, who was vassal to Hammurapi of Halap, attacked & destroyed by HATTUSILI-I. | yr 2 hinf 1650-30 CAH 2.1-241 1600 wikH |
c.1645 | HATTUSILI-I, king of Hittites 1650-20, 2nd Aram campaign. Destroys Zaruna, fights a Hurrian army from Hassu, defeats the combined armies of Halap and Hassu in the Adalur Mountain (in the Amanus range). He then crosses the Euphrates (first Hittite king to do so) and destroys Hassu, returns to Hattusa. | yr 5 hinf |
c.1640 | MIDDLE BRONZE-IIb ends. (Hyksos period), in Levant from 1725. IIc begins until 1525. | 1650-25 WBANE 88 1600 IDB 1-207 |
c.1630 | JOSEPH dies in Egypt. | 1806 htc 1805 CBCOT 1804 bivu 1800 ds 1658 trubi 1630 btl |
c.1600 | ![]() |
photo Inge 1600 wikEb |
c.1600 | Massive fortress temples built at Megiddo, Shechem, & Jericho. | 1600 WBANE 90 |
c.1600 | BEYRYT Lebanon founded by Phoenicians of Gebal. Under Gebal until 1400. | 1600 rcLeb |
c.1600 | MURSILIS-I , king of Hittites 1620-1595. invades Aram. | 1600 SOTS 89 no date: Sag 74 |
c.1600 | YAMHAD (Halap) taken by MURSILIS-I. Under Hittites until 1457. | 1600 SOTS 89 1400 rcS no date: Sag 74 |
c.1600 | QATNA, town just east of Orontes River, under Halap from 1700, no longer under Halap. | 1600 rcCan |
c.1600 | City of AMRIT (Marath) founded by settlers from Arvad. | 1600 hifiArv |
c.1600 | HAZOR, a source of tin, comes under Egypt until 1200. | 1600 rcCan |
c.1600 | ASHDOD, ASKALON, EKRON, GAZA, and GATH come under Egypt until 1200. | 1600 rcHL |
c.1595 | MURSILIS-I, king of Hittites 1620-1595, invades Aram, encounters and fights Hurrians, destroys Halap & Alalakh, continues down Euphrates. | 1600 SOTS 89 1595 ISBE 4-690, Sag 74, B76 17-935 |
c.1585 | HURRIANS, in north Aram from 1725, gain control of much of northern Aram, make raids into Anatolia. | I got his from an early edition of Sag, which I no longer have, and unfortunately omitted the page #. |
c.1570 | DAMASCUS, under Amurru from 1720, independent until 1475. | 1570 wikD |
c.1550 | GEBAL independent from 1800, back under Egypt until 1340. | 1550 rcLeb |
c.1550 | JERICHO, under Canaanites 1900-1260 violently destroyed. Unoccupied until 1510. | 1550 WBANE 94 |
c.1550 | Λ SHECHEM, occupied from 1900, destroyed. Unoccupied until 1450. | 1550 IDB 4-315, Sup-821 |
c.1550 | LACHISH, Canaanite city from 1800, destroyed by Egyptians. Soon rebuilt. Destroyed again 1230. | 1550 hrtz |
c.1550 | LACHISH: A small temple is built on a trash heap. Lasts until 1200. | 1550 IDB 3-54 |
c.1526 | MOSES born in Egypt. | 1594 trubi 1526 btl 1525 bivu, htc |
c.1525 | MIDDLE BRONZE period ends. Began in Levant 2000. MIDDLE BRONZE-IIc from 1640, overcome by Egyptian invasions. |
1600 Sdl 1-154 1550 FHBC 198, IDB 1-207 1525 WBANE 90, 92 1500 FLAP 125 |
LATE BRONZE begins until 1200. LATE BRONZE-I begins 1500-1400. Egyptian domination. |
c.1524 | THUTMOSE-I, 3rd pharaoh of 18th (Theban) dynasty 1527-10, invades Levant up to Aram. Encounters no resistance at Kadesh. This is little more than a raid with no lasting results. | 1524 MCAW 28 1523 B76 17-934 1520 RAI3 254 no date: BHoE 263 |
c.1510 | With the death of Thutmose-I, ARAM begins slipping out of Egyptian control, and coming under the influence of Mitanni. | no date: hinf |
c.1510 | JERICHO, unoccupied from 1550, reoccupied by Canaanites until 1405. | late 1500s WBANE 94 |
c.1500 | TYRE founded by Sidon. 1st legendary ruler is son of Poseidon or Belos, AGENOR until 1490. Tyre is called Sour-ri in El-Amarna tablets 1340, called Zor in Hebrew. Agenor has 5 sons: Cadmus, Cilix, Phineas, Phoenix, and Thasus. All depart to search for their sis, Europa, who had been abducted by Zeus. |
Founded: 28-2700 Herodotus
2250 hifiT 1500 rcLeb, wikKT 15-1400 IDB 4-722 1217 HDB 4-823 |
Agenor fl.: 1500 hifiT |
c.1500 | GALILEE, partly under Hazor 2000-1480, comes mostly under Egyptian hegemony until 1200. | 1500 rcHL |
c.1500 | UGARITIC ALPHABET V developed by reducing cuneiform to 30 signs, each standing for a different sound. (See Hittites 1510, Mycenean 1500, Crete (Linear-A), China 1475) |
1500 TTT 1400 mom |
c.1500 | TOB, east of Sea of Galilee, comes under Egypt until 1250. | 1500 rcCan |
c.1500 | BETH-SHAN in north Jordan valley receives Egyptian garrison until 1300s. | 1500 rcCan |
c.1490 | AGENOR, king of Tyre from 1500, ends. Son PHOENIX succeeds until ?. | 1490 hifiT |
c.1480 | Mycenaean pottery reaches Ionia, Cyprus, Lebanon, Palestine, and Egypt. | early 15th cen. wikMG |
c.1480 | GALILEE, partly under Hazor from 2000, partly under Egyptian hegemony from 1500, no longer partly under Hazor, continues partly under Egyptian hegemony until 1200. | 1480 rcHL |
c.1479 | THUTMOSE-III pharaoh 1504-1436, invades Philistia, celebrates 23rd aniversary of ascension at Gaza, destroys GEZER, conquers Philistia until 1350, moves on to YEHEM. | 1479 IDB Sup-362, mxfld 1468 IDB 2-357 1456 DMoN 84 |
c.1479 | GEZER, walled city from before 1600, destroyed by Thutmose-III. | 1479 IDB Sup-362 |
c.1475 | DAMASCUS, independent from 1570, comes under Egyptian control until 1340. | 1475 ISBE 1-853 |
c.1471 | Aram is now dominated by THUTMOSE-III, pharaoh 1504-1436 until his death. | 1471 B76 1-818, CAH 2.1-676 |
c.1469 | Abel-Beth-Maacha taken by Thutmose-III. | 1469 Jud 2-60 |
c.1468 | KADESH & MITANNI form coalition of 330 rulers of Aram & Canaan to defend against Thutmose-III. King of Kadesh marches army to Megiddo. | 1482 B76 17-935 1468 B76 18-366, Jud 10-664-5 |
This could be Kadesh on the Orontes or Kedesh in Galilee. | Jud 10-664-5 |
c.1468 | THUTMOSE-III, pharaoh of 18th (Theban) dynasty 1504-1436, invades Canaan. Marches thru plain of Sharon, Camps at Yehem. | yr 22 BHoE 285, Grim 213 |
c.1468 | APHEK, Canaanite royal city, conquered by Thutmose-III. | 1469 Jud 3-176 |
c.1468 | THUTMOSE-III, pharaoh of 18th (Theban) dynasty 1504-1436, personally leads army up Megiddi pass where his army is strung out and subject to flank attack. Defeats Canaanites, who retreat to Megiddo. Gets to Megiddo, but fails to take it because his troops stop to plunder. | 1479 BHoE 285-8, IDB 3-802 1468 B76 18-366, Jud 6-481 |
c.1468 | King of Kadesh, who led the Canaanite rebellion, escapes north from Megiddo before Thutmose-III besieges Megiddo. | no date: BHoE 291 |
![]() Model of Megiddo by Alma E. Guinness |
c.1468 | MEGIDDO, besieged by Thutmose-III, falls. Destroyed. Taking Megiddo gives T-III control of all Canaan. | 1482 or 1479 wikBM 1480 B76 17-935, Sdl 1-27 1479 BHoE 285, RAH 74 1468 B76 VI-756, 18-366, MCAW 32, WBANE 91 |
Hostages taken from family of king of Kadesh. |
c.1468 | COMPOSITE BOW V 1st evidenced at battle of Megiddo. (See Asia 1500, Tutankhamun 1325) |
1482 or 1479 wikBM |
1468 Oct. | THUTMOSE-III, pharaoh of 18th (Theban) dynasty 1504-1436, returns to Thebes with more loot than taken by any predecessor. | no year: BHoE 293 |
c.1461 | THUTMOSE-III (5th campaign) in Levant. Sails army north to Phoenicia. Bribes TYRE for entry. Takes unknown city, takes city and territory around Ardata (Arqata). Takes ARVAD. Turns south. Returns to Egypt by ship. | 1472 hifiArv 1461 GEoP yr 29 BHoE 298, wikT3 |
c.1460 | THUTMOSE-III (6th campaign) sails troops to Gebal. Sails up Eleutheros River, takes Simyra, quells rebellion in Ardata (Arqata). Marches on KADESH and besieges. | yr 30 BHoE 299, DMoN 86, wikT3 |
c.1460 | KADESH destroyed by Thutmose-III. | 1461 Sdl 1-27 yr 30 BHoE 195, DMoN 86, GEoP |
c.1459 | ARAM rebels against Thutmose-III. | T-3 yr 31 wikT3 |
c.1459 | THUTMOSE-III (7th campaign) takes port city of Ullaza and smaller Phoenician ports, takes more measures to prevent further rebellions. Takes excess Aramean grain which is stored in harbors. | yr 31 BHoE 301, GEoP, wikT3 |
c.1457 | THUTMOSE-III (8th campaign) into Levant, sails directly to Gebal, makes boats which he takes with him overland on what appears to be another tour of Aram. Takes Qatna and Senzar, goes north beyond where he had previously conquered, fights serious battle west of Halap, takes Halap, fights at Carchemish, crosses Euphrates into Mitanni, taking Mitannian king by surprise. Conquers Mitannian cities unopposed. Receives tribute from Hittites, Asshur, Babylon. Returns to Aram, takes Niya, where he hunts elephants. | 1457 MCAW 32 yr 33 B76 18-366, BHoE 302, DMoN 86, GEoP 194, Grim 216, Shaw 238, wikT3 |
c.1457 | HALAP, under Hittites from 1600, taken by THUTMOSE-III, under Egypt until 1455. | 1457 MCAW 32 yr 33 B76 18-366, BHoE 302, DMoN 86, GEoP 194, Shaw 238, wikT3 |
c.1457 | THUTMOSE-III on Mediterranean coast, reveives rich gifts from Hittites. | yr 33 BHoE 304 |
c.1456 | THUTMOSE-III (9th campaign) returns to Aram, suppresses rebellion at Djahy (Egyptian for south Levant), raids Nuhasse area, takes Nuges. | yr 34 BHoE 313, GEoP, Grim 216, wikT3 |
c.1455 | Mitanni had raised a large army and engages Egyptians around Halap. | T-3 yr 35 wikT3 |
c.1455 | HALAP, under Egypt from 1457, becomes independent ally of Mitanni until 1449. | guess |
c.1455 | THUTMOSE-III (10th campaign). Quells rebellion in Aram, fights Mitanians around Halap, takes only ten prisoners, boasts of great victory, including tribute from Hittites. | yr 35 BHoE 314, GEoP, Grim 216, wikT3 |
c.1454 | THUTMOSE-III (11th campaign). Records lost. | yr 36 GEoP, wikT3 no date: BHoE 315, Grim 216 |
c.1453 | THUTMOSE-III (12th campaign) at Nuhasse. Records lost. | yr 37 GEoP, wikT3 no date: BHoE 315, Grim 216 |
c.1453 | LEVANT and ARAM organized into 3 Egyptian provinces: Amurru (south Aram), Upe (north Levant), Canaan (south Levant). Each is governed by an Egyptian official. Native dynasts are allowed to continue rule over small states. Ammon may be included. | 1453 hifiAm, hifiT |
c.1452 | THUTMOSE-III (13th campaign) mainly in south Lebanon. Receives gifts from Cyprus and Assyrian province of Arrapakhitis. | yr 38 BHoE 315, GEoP, wikT3 |
c.1451 | SHASU tribes of Edom first mentioned in Egyptian texts. | 1450 BAR 34:06 Nov/Dec, 2008 |
c.1451 | THUTMOSE-III (14th campaign) against the Shasu tribes of Edom. | yr 39 BHoE 315, GEoP, wikT3 |
c.1450 | SHECHEM, unoccupied from 1550, occupied until 1125. | 1450 IDB Sup-821 |
c.1450 | Tell JEMMEH (10 km south of Gaza) occupied by Canaanites until 1200. | 1450 mxfld |
c.1449 | HALAP, ally of Hurrians from 1455, defects to Tudhaliya-II, king of Hittites, but soon forced back under Hurrians. | at Tud-2's accession: hinf |
c.1448 | THUTMOSE-III (uprising campaign) lands on coast of Aram, takes port of Arqata, quells rebellions in Arka plain, takes Tunip and Kadesh, destroys 3 surrounding Mitannian garrisons, returns to Egypt. | yr 42 BHoE 315, DMoN 87, GEoP, Grim 216, Shaw 238, wikT3 |
c.1448 | KADESH becomes vassal to Egypt until 1350. | 1450 rcCan |
c.1446 | EXODUS - early date V | 1531 lgbt 1513 trubi 1447 bihi, htc 1446 FHBC 202, btl, ds 1445 HCC, bivu 1441 FLAP 60 1440 B76 12-487, bica |
c.1436 | ARAM: Cities of Orontes valley led by Kadesh & Tunip rebel against Amenhotep-II. | 1450 B76 17-935 |
c.1435 | AMENHOTEP-II, 6th Pharaoh of 18th Dyn. 1436-06, savagely crushes rebellion in Aram. Personally executes 7 leaders at Kadesh. Takes bodies back to Thebes. | 1488 B76 17-935 yr 2 BHoE 324 yr 3 Grim 218 yr 7 Shaw 244 no date: GEoP 199-200 |
c.1432 | AMENHOTEP-II, 6th Pharaoh of 18th Dyn. 1436-06, has to reconquer many Aramean cities conquered in 1435. | 1443 B76 17-935 |
c.1432 | APHEK, Canaanite royal city, reconquered by AMENHOTEP-II. | 1432 Jud 3-175 |
c.1427 | CANAAN: Some cities rebel against AMENHOTEP-II who reconquers them, campaigns as far north as the Sea of Galilee, takes 70,000 captives back to Egypt. CANAAN now under Egypt until 1350. |
1441 B76 17-935 1430 MCAW 32 Amen-II yr 9 GEoP 202 |
c.1405 | MOSES dies. JOSHUA rules Hebrews until 1390. | 1489 lgbt 1474 trubi 1407 ISBE 1-680, bihi, htc 1406 btl 1405 bivu 1250 WBH 25 1195 MCAW 46 |
c.1405 | ISRAELITES cross Jordan river. JERICHO, under Canaanites from 1510, falls to JOSHUA, but remains under Canaanites until 1260. |
1473 trubi 1412 kical 1406 ds 1405 bivu 1400 bica 1250 Sdl 2-282 1200 SHWC 29 |
Levant 1400-1001
V