Iron Age (1200 BC – 500 AD)
Formation of planned cities, introduction of ironworks, steel, and writing systems.
Cultures
- Ancient Greece (600 to 600) - foundation of democracy, philosophy, mathematics, drama, and poetry
- Ancient Rome (753 to 476) - political power that developed the legal system, irrigation, architecture, city roads, and Christianity
- Persian Empire (550 to 330) - Middle Eastern empire that practiced Zoroastrianism before Islam and fell to Alexander the Great in 330 B.C.
- Byzantine Empire (285 to 1453) - Mediterranean culture that incorporated practices and beliefs from ancient Greece and Rome; the only major power not to fall until after the Renaissance
- Han China
- Gupta Empire
- Sasanian Empire
- The Celts (1200 BCE - 12 BCE). A collection of tribes who originated in Central Europe. Celtic tribes lived across Europe and Britain and shared a common language, religious beliefs and culture. The Celtic culture is the most prominent today in Ireland and Great Britain.
- The Zhou Dynasty (1046 BCE - 771 BCE). The longest-lasting dynasty in China’s history, the Zhou dynasty saw further cultural developments.
- Ancient Greece (1000 BCE - 146/323 BCE). Another one of the Mediterranean world’s greatest civilizations, Ancient Greece saw significant developments in philosophy, politics and science with the formation of city-states.
- Ancient Rome (753 BCE - 476 CE). With the establishment of the Roman Empire, this period encompassed most of Europe, northern Africa and Western Asia. Here we see developments in human civilization, from public health to architecture, roads and the Julian Calendar.