Bronze Age

The Early Bronze Age extends between 1200 and 3200 BC, essentially from the beginning of written history to widespread collapse in civilisations throughout the eastern Mediterranean. Advancements were made in metallurgy and bronze tools, especially for farming, construction and warfare; in pottery and ceramics, used for storage, cooking and transportation of goods; in wheeled vehicles such as carts and chariots; in writing systems that allowed documentation of laws, administrative matters, religious texts and history; in textiles and weaving; and in craftsmanship of iron, silver and gold, in the creation of intricate jewelry, ornaments and decorative items.

Human history would see the rise of ancient Egypt, Sumer and Akkad, the Indus Valley culture, the Xia, Shang and Zhou dynasties in China, Mycenaean Greece and the Hittites. In northern Europe, the gnomish Vepses empire would comprise much of Europe's northern forests. Elves from the west would appear and found the Egreliian culture. Hobgoblins would build an empire, the Yaxjasso, that for a while controlled much of Siberia. There would be other, numerous civilisations that would also rise, many for which knowledge in the game world is lacking.

Egypt

Main Article: Egyptian History

The era comprised the Early Dynastic period, followed by the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms, the last of which ended in 1090 BC. The Old Kingdom (c.2780-2270 BC) saw the building of the Pyramids at Gizeh, flourishing of agriculture, occupation of the Sinai and it's copper mines and the establishment of Egypt's enormous wealth, centered in Memphis on the Upper Nile. Nonetheless, as centuries passed, these lavish expenditures brought about a period of economic and political collapse.

The Middle Kingdom (c.2143-1790 BC) reunified Egypt with it's centre at Thebes. Penetrating south, above the 1st Cataract, and militarily into Syria, the era is marked by a classic periof of art and literature, along with long distance trade being established with the Fertile Crescent and the Red Sea. But the period ended in confusion following the invasion of the Hyksos from Syria.

The New Kingdom (c.1555-1090 BC) drove out the Hyksos and re-established Egypt's unity. Egypt became a great military power, conquering Syria, contending with the Hittites and making Egypt the most feared state in the region. A process of disintigration began, however, as Egypt's Syrian border became too costly to maintain. Sea raiders plundered the Delta as Libyans challenged Egypt's power in the west. Eventually, the unrelenting drain on Egypt's finances would bring about a complete collapse of the state at the end of the 12th century BC.

Mesopotamia

Main Article: Mesopotamian History

The Euphrates-Tigris valleys were dotted with small Sumerian city-states, chief among them that of Uruk, the largest and most active. Trade was brisk amongst these cities, including Ur and Lagash, and war common. No city during the early period could gain advantage over the others, until the rise of Akkad. Sargon of Akkad campaigns established an empire in the 24th century BC that would excel as none other. Still, internal strife brought about Akkad's decline, and other city-states were left to pick over the remains. The city-states of Ur, Isin and Larsa each enjoyed a period of pre-eminence, but these struggles weakened the Sumer culture. At the same time, Amorite peoples from the west settled in various places in Mesopotamia, gaining influence.

In the 18th century BC, Hammurabi came to power as the ruler of the city-state of Babylon. As the Babylonian culture advanced, the older Sumerians lost their identity; but again, after 150 years, the Babylonian Empire began to fragment. Cities were abandoned, while drought, war and pestilence spread. Hittites sacked Babylon in 1595 BC. Hurrians came from the north, overrunning the lands of Syria and the upper Euphrates; these would establish the Mitanni Kingdom, between old Babylonia, Egypt and the Hittites.

The last of the Babylonian dynasty came to ruin in the 16th century BC, whereupon Kassites would move in and rule over the southern plain. Their decline in the 12th century would lead the region into a period of political turmoil.