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Article: The world in 660 B.C.
- Article from:
- Calliope
- Article date:
- November 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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In the seventh century B.C., Western Asia consisted of several kingdoms, both large and small, and a few huge empires ruled by powerful monarchs. Because most rulers sought to extend their power, conflict was almost a way of life. To the north of the Persian Gulf were the Medes, a powerful tribe that ruled over many of the other peoples in the area, including a related group called the Persians.
In the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers that corresponds to present-day Iraq, the once mighty Assyrian Empire was waning. Centered in the northern part of the region known in ancient times as Mesopotamia, the Assyrians had held dominion over most of the Middle ...