Ancient Empires

The great German historian Leopold von Ranke (1795-1886) defined the historian’s task as being that of describing the past “as it really happened” (wie es eigentlich gewesen). His definition will doubtless always stand as the ideal of scientifically objective history, and as a warning against the writing of history as propaganda or apologia for some nationalist, political, or religious end. But it has come to be realized that this represents an ideal that can never be wholly achieved…. History inevitably implies selection and interpretation of the facts considered to be relevant. Both activities ultimately depend on human minds, which are conditioned by many factors such as education, religion, and nationality, quite apart from personal interests and consciously conceived aims.

– S.G.F. Brandon, editor
(from the Introduction)

3000 BC: The Gift of the Nile – Leonard Cottrell

The lands of the Delta and the lands of the cataracts are united to form the first political state

1750 BC: The First Law Code – Jean Bottéro

Hammurabi the Babylonian gives man a comprehensive system of laws.

1450 BC: The Eruption of Santorin – M.S.F. Hood

A volcanic explosion off the coast of Crete brings destruction to the towns and cities of the flourishing Minoan or Cretan civilization.

1400 BC: The Aryan Invasion of India – Eric J. Sharpe

A new people bring a new civilization to India.

(this one doesn’t seem like a “milestone”, but it does let them talk about the Harappan culture; and you can still see its effects in the cultural differences between northern and southern India.)

1280 BC: Let My People Go – James Parkes

The Children of Israel leave Egypt and make their way to the Promised Land.

1191 BC: Ramses III Defeats the Sea Peoples – Marcel Brion

A wave of invaders from the north is repelled by Pharaoh Ramses III.

524 BC: The Prophet of the East – Trevor Ling

The Buddha begins his ministry and founds one of the world’s greatest religions.

480 BC: Victorious Athens – Peter Green

At the Battle of Salamis Greek civilization wins the time to grow and blossom.

323 BC: The Death of Alexander the Great – George Woodcock

Alexander’s untimely death, with but half the known lands conquered, robbed the world of one of its most favorable opportunities for unity.

221 BC: Building the Great Wall of China – D. Howard Smith

The first universal emperor, Shih Huang-Ti of the Ch’in dynasty, builds the Great Wall of China and establishes the boundaries of his empire.

217 BC: Hannibal Challenges Rome – Gilbert Charles-Picard

Hannibal crosses the Alps to launch the Second Punic War., which ends in the destruction of Carthage, Rome’s great Mediterranean rival, and clears the way to imperial power.

73 BC: The Slaves’ Revolt – Jack Lindsay

Rome crushes the revolt of the slaves, led by Spartacus, and hundreds are crucified as the Republic totters to its end.

31 BC: The Battle of Actium – Michael Grant

The Battle of Actium confirms the supremacy of Octavian at the head of the Roman Empire and marks the end of Egypt as a force in world affairs.

9 AD: Arminius, Liberator of Germany – Michael Grant

Arminius defeats the Romans in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest and so ends Augustus’ plan to conquer all of Germany.

30 AD: Jesus of Nazareth, Savior God of a New Religion – S.G.F. Brandon

The crucifixion of an obscure Nazarene has unaccountable consequences in the rise of a new world religion.

(I’d have shortened the title)

70 AD: The Destruction of Zion – S.G.F Brandon

The Temple at Jerusalem is destroyed and the Jews are scattered throughout the known world.