The timeline of ancient history is a long and complex one, spanning over five thousand years.

It begins
with the emergence of the first civilizations in the Middle East around 3500 BCE and continues to the fall
of the Roman Empire in the 5th century CE.

The earliest period of ancient history is known as the Ancient Near East and includes the Sumerian,
Akkadian, Babylonian, Assyrian, and Hittite civilizations. The first writing system, cuneiform, was
developed in Sumer around 3200 BCE. The Sumerian civilization was succeeded by the Akkadian Empire
in the 22nd century BCE. The Babylonians, who rose to power in the 18th century BCE, developed the
first code of laws, the Code of Hammurabi.

The second major period of ancient history is known as the Classical Age. This period began in the 8th
century BCE with the rise of the city-states of Greece and continued until the death of Alexander the
Great in 323 BCE. This period saw the development of democracy, the Olympic Games, and the spread of
Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean world.

The third period of ancient history is known as the Hellenistic Age and spans from the death of
Alexander the Great to the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century CE. This period saw the
expansion of Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean and Near East, the founding of the great
library of Alexandria, and the rise of the Roman Republic.

The fourth period of ancient history is the Roman Empire. This period began in the 1st century BCE with
the rise of Julius Caesar and his successors, and ended in 476 CE with the fall of Rome. This period saw
the advancement of Roman law, engineering, military technology, and the spread of Christianity.

The fifth period of ancient history is known as the Middle Ages and spans from the 5th to the 15th
centuries CE. This period saw the rise of feudalism, the Crusades, the development of medieval art and
architecture, and the invention of the printing press.

The sixth period of ancient history is known as the Early Modern period and spans from the 16th to the
18th centuries CE. This period saw the Age of Exploration, the Protestant Reformation, the Scientific
Revolution, and the birth of the modern nation-state.

The seventh period of ancient history is the Modern period. This period began in the 19th century and
continues to the present day. This period saw the industrial revolution, the rise of democracy, the two
world wars, and the advent of the digital age.