Middle East History
The Middle East is sometimes referred to as the "cradle of civilization." The cultures that arose in the fertile crescent--the land lying between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers--helped to give birth to what is now referred to as "Western Civilization." The Middle East is also the birthplace of three of the world's great religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. In many ways, the region has been, and continues to be, a focal point of world history.
In this section you will discover the ancient civilizations of Babylon and Sumeria. You will read about the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the development of cuneiform writing. You will find out about early Jewish, Christian, and Muslim cultures. You will learn about Kings and Crusades, and about a long history of conflict and conquest. You will read about recent historical developments, such as the discovery of oil, that have, once again, focused the world's attention upon the region. The history of the Middle East is multi-faceted, and extremely important in the telling of world history.