Here is my new tl, based upon the very well disscussed topics in this thread.
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The Minoan Empire: The Prequel
1700-1650 BCE.: Either an Invasion coming from turkey or Earthquake in the Minoan Crete causes an large disturbance in Crete. After that the population rose again, and the palaces were rebuilt, even larger than before. The Minoans begin their age of Naval Dominance, crushing their vals The Myecaneans and keep them out of the Cyclades. The Minoans began heavy colonization, in southern Italy and establish an powerful administration in OTL Sicily.
1700-1698 BCE: Lila-Ir-Tash rules the Elamite Empire
1698-1690 BCE: Lila-Ir-Tash dies, he is succeeded by Temti-Agun I
1690-1655 BCE: Temti-Agun I dies, he is succeeded by Tan-Uli.
1650 BCE.: An Eruption at the Volcanic Island of Thera causes an massive Tsunami which destroys most of the Minoan settlements on the coast. While most of The Minoan Aristocracy manages to escape to The city of Enrisoss (Sicily), which served as the temporary capital of the nation, and Strangely the navy’s size double to what it was before the eruption. The event at Thera causes many Minoan lives to be lost and Many survivors loose faith in Minoan priest who supposedly could control the weather. After all of it’s loss The Minoan’s still remain the most dominating force in the Mediterranean seas.
1650-1580 BCE.: The Hyksos, Semitic sea peoples who base themselves at the Nile Delta, rule Lower Egypt directly , and exact tribute from Upper Egypt, treating it as a subject satellite state.
1600 B.C.: The Ruling Amorite Dynasty is overthrown in Aleppo, Syria.
1600 BCE.: .The country Sheba or Saba, whose name means Host of Heaven and peace, was Abyssinia. Located in southwest Arabia on the eastern tip of the Red Sea, Sheba occupied 483,000 square miles of mountains, valley and deserts in the area of present day Yemen. Ethiopia, on the western end of the Red Sea, is also part of Sheba's territory. Sheba was a wealthy country, advanced in irrigation techniques and hydraulic power. Its people, the Sabaeans, built dams as high as 60 feet and large earthen wells which contributed to their thriving agriculture and beautiful gardens. Rich in gold and other precious stones, as well as incense and exotic spices sought by neighboring kingdoms, Sheba engaged in a lucrative caravan trade. By 1000 BCE, camels frequently traveled the 1400 miles up the "Incense Road" and along the Red Sea to Israel. The Sabaeans have been described as a tall and commanding people, both woolly-haired and straight-haired. Semitic in origin, they are believed to have been descendents of the Cush of the Bible. The sacred Ethiopian book which establishes the founder of the Ethiopian dynasty as the son of Solomon and Sheba, suggests that the Sabaeans were black. "Ye are black of face - but if God illumineth your hearts, nothing can injure you," priest Azariah says to the Queen and her people in the Kebra Negast. Because of its isolation, Sheba was secure from military invasion for at least 500 years, and was independent and at peace with its neighbors during the 11th and 10th century BCE. History reveals that at least five kings preceded the Queen of Sheba - among them Iti'amra and Karibi-ilu. Yet Arabian documents portray all of Arabia as matriarchal and ruled by queens for over 1000 years. In Ethiopia, the Kebra Negast refers to a law established in Sheba that only a woman could reign, and that she must be a virgin queen.
Numerous legends refer to the female-centered clans, matriarchal practices, and matrilineal inheritance of ancient Arabia and surrounding countries. In Assyria, the head of a family was called the "shebu," and was originally a female, or matriarch. In other mideastern lands, polyandry was sanctioned - a woman could marry several husbands, who left their own families to live with hers; she could also initiate divorce by turning her tent to face east for three nights in a row. Before the onset of patriarchy, women may have experienced superior - or at least equal - rights with men.
1600-1300 BCE: Here we shall have an slight overview of the Minoan Military: Minoan forces were divided into three main groups chariotry, infantry and ships, the first two are detailed below. I will only give a brief outline of the maritime forces as they really require a section to themselves but do not play a central role in the hsitory of the time, as Minoan sea dominance was complete, with no (known) major sea battles at the time
Chariotry: Known as the eqeta or `followers' this arm of the Minoan field force developed along typical Bronze Age lines from around 1600BC. The chariots themselves were usually drawn by teams of two horses (a `span') and crewed by a charioteer and a warrior. The chariots themselves were heavier and stronger in construction than contemporary Egyptian and Syrian examples having more in common with Hittite and Anatolian types. This was probably due to the nature of the terrain they fought over where a much more robust vehicle was necessary.
There is strong evidence that the chariot corps was organised centrally as clay tablet records of the charioteers supplying vehicles have been found alongside lists of chariot parts and their state of repair. This has led to the belief that the owners of chariots could not always provide a complete vehicle so a record of parts available was needed to match up wheels, cabs and horse teams. It is amusing to imagine that the owner's had a rota for crewing this composite vehicle, "Monday, Wednesday and Friday Telemachus, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Agamemnon while Cleomenes gets Sunday because he only brought the wheels".
The crew had varying degrees of defensive equipment that became lighter as time went on. The most famous and distinctive panoply is the Dendra armour comprising large sheets of bronze skilfully worked to form complete protection from mid-thigh to chin (The other parts of the body being covered by the chariot cab and a helmet respectively). The effect is not unlike a menacing, bronze garbage can! Scale and linen armour was also favoured, with the charioteers having the lighter varieties due to the need for mobility.
It has been possible to reconstruct the size of chariot corps from the tablet records and they could be considerable with cities fielding between 100 and 400 at a time(quite a bit, when you consider that the chariots in question used AT LEAST 2 horses).
Infantry: While the chariotry was the "glamour" component of Minoan armies it was the footmen who made up the majority troop type. The infantry spearmen made up the bulk and while they were simply equipped and dressed they were also very distinctive in appearance.
Two pieces of equipment stand out, the tall shield and long spear, The shield was of two types, the "tower" and "figure-of-eight". These were tough, flexible and yet light covering the entire spearman from chin to toe negating the need for body armour. An impressive shield wall could be formed using these items. From between the shields would poke the 12' plus spears, with a foot-long blade of bronze tipping them they must have been an impressive sight en masse.
A helmet formed from sliced boar-tusks bound to a leather foundation protected the head. Atop this could be fixed a stiff crest of horsehair or tusk, alternatively the lacings holding the helmet together could be plaited decoratively. Most infantry wore only a loincloth or went naked. Richer individuals might wear colourful fringed kilts identical to those common throughout the region at this time. Swords were items of some worth and denoted status so would be confined to chariot crews and spearmen.
Archers: During this early period archers were relatively common and widely employed. They could operate in several different roles with varying levels of specialisation. The classic role was as a skirmisher, skipping around the battlefield pestering the slower or less agile enemy troops or driving off the enemy skirmishers to allow their own side a free hand. Secondly they could group together in an attempt (not always successful it must be said) to concentrate their shooting at vulnerable targets such as horses.
The last role for the archers was to directly support the spearmen, this could be by indirect shooting from the rear ranks of the shield wall in an attempt to disrupt an advancing enemy formation or in a more aggressive way which would see them shooting from between the shields of the front rank spearmen directly at the enemy. It is therefore possible to depict your spearmen with archers mixed into or behind the ranks.
Slingers: While not an important part of the army numerically the slingers would still perform a valuable service holding rough or broken terrain and harassing the enemy flanks.
Javelinmen: Again not numerically outstanding but interesting in that I have heard that a contingent of Libyan javelin have fought with Mycenaean forces, wich perhaps sets presedence for minoan use. The native javelinmen may even be entirely absent if Libyans were present, as the Lybians at this time were considerd master skirmishers(thats just a thought of mine, for the most part)
The Pylians: These inhabitants of Achaea make an interesting alternative to the more usual solid spearmen or skirmishing javelinmen. They appear wearing kilts, linen greaves and boar tusk helmets. They have no shield but are shown carrying swords (rapier-like affairs) and, sometimes, javelins. Although not a common troop-type, they seem to have had their fare share of engagements
Minoan Tactics: The foundation of the battle line was the wall of shields with the spearmen up to 8-deep backed up and interspersed by archers. Other skirmishers would operate on the flanks as described above. The only real decision for the Minoan and early Mycenean chieftains seems to have been the placement of his chariotry.
The chariot combats between the noble champions would most likely decide any battle so it depended upon how confident the chariot corps felt as to the formation it took up. If both sides were eager for battle and both sides were equal in numbers or one side felt more confident than the other did then the chariots formed up in front of the spears. If a side were outnumbered or reluctant to face their adversaries then they would form up on the flanks and between spear blocks. This would enable "downed" charioteers to retreat to the safety their shield walls.
1597 BCE: Aaron born to Amram and his wife Jochebed
1595 BCE: Mursilis I, king of the Hittites, sacks Babylon. This brings and to the rule of the descendants of Hammurabi in that Kingdom.
1556 BCE: Cecrops begins to either build or Rebuild Athens following the great flood of Deucalion and the end of the Golden Age. He Becomes The First of several Kings of Athens whose life account is considered part of Greek Mythology.
c.a. 1550's BCE: The City of Mycenae, located in the north Peloponnesus, came to dominate Archaea and formed the Mycenaean Civilization.
c.a. 1539 BCE: First use of the Valley of The Kings in Egypt.
1530 BCE: end of the First Dynasty of Babylon and the start of The Kassite dynasty. Also in this year The Mitanni a people of Indic origin who ruled a vast kingdom (with a common Hurrian population) in West Asia in the second millennium BC. Mitanni arose near the sources of the Khabur River in Mesopotamia sometime after 1500 BC. It was a feudal state led by a warrior nobility. The kingdom ruled northern Mesopotamia (including Syria) for out of their capital of Washshukanni, (or Wassukkani, or Vasukhani, meaning "a mine of wealth.") in Sanskrit .
1523 BCE: Start of the Shang Dyansty in China.
1510 BCE: Begging of Mayan Civilization is Belize
c.a. 1509 BCE: Stonehenge is built in OTL, Wiltshire, England. Also in ths year The Phoenicians develop an Alphabet.
1506 BCE: Cecrops, legendary King of Athens dies after an reign of forty years. Having survived his own son is succeded by Cranuas.
1504-1492 BCE: Pharaoh Thutmose III of Egypt conquers Nubia and The Levant.
1500 BCE and onward: King Minos VIII sends out an expedition from Enrioss(Sicily) to the explore suitable eastern colonization. The explores western coastal of Anatolia(now in Turkey). In OTL, It was comprised of a narrow coastal strip from Phocaea in the north near the mouth of the river Hermus (now the Gediz), to Miletus in the south near the mouth of the river Maeander, and included the islands of Chios and Samos. Adjoining the Aegean Sea, it was bounded by Aetolia to the north, Lydia to the east and Caria to the south. King Minos encourages the colonization, and Trading Center’s and military sites begriming springing up in the region. This also gives the Minoans trade opportunities with The Hittite Empire and the Phoenicians who at this time were just beginning their Alphabet.
1501-1479 BCE: Reign of Queen Hastesphuat, she had only one model in mind, Sobeknefru, the last monarch of the Twelfth dynasty, who ruled in her own right. She took one step further than Sobeknefru and had herself crowned Pharaoh in 1473 BC and took the throne name Maatkare. Pharaoh was an exclusively male title, at this point in Egyptian history there was no word for a female ruler (the closest equivalent, the one used by Sobeknefru, was King's Wife), thus Queen Hatshepsut became King Hatshepsut. She assumed all of the regalia and symbols of that office including the false beard. The false beard was a symbol of Pharaonic power and by wearing it Hatshepsut was asserting her right and position as King or Ruler and not King's Wife or ruler's wife of Egypt. Her motivation for wearing men's clothing was political not Sexual.
1496 BCE.: Cranaus, legendary King of Athens is desposed after a short reign of ten years by his son in law Amphicyton of Thessaly , son of Decualion and Pyrrha.
1487 BCE: Amphictyon, son of Deucalion and Pyrrha and legendary King of Athens dies after a reign of 10 years and is succeeded by Erichthonius I of Athens, a grandson of Cranaus.
1469 BCE: The Egyptian Army defeats the Canaanite forces at The Battle of Meggido.
1424 BCE: The Great Bharata war fought tribes in Vedic South East India unlike OTL ,The two sides to the war were the Pandavas and the Kauravas. Earlier during the Mahabharata, the Kauravas cheated the Pandavas at a dice game, forcing their Pandava cousins to go into exile for thirteen years, including twelve years of forest exile, and one year of anonymous exile. If the Pandavas were caught during the year of anonymity, they would have to go to twelve years of exile again. After the exile, the eldest of the Kaurava brothers, Duryodhana, refused to return the kingdom to the Pandavas. In order to regain the kingdom, the Pandavas fought the war.
1420-1405 BC.: The Mycenaean war: Over the past two centuries the Minoan power in the sea has been unparallel to any opposing force. Many Minoan citizens long to return to their homeland Crete. In the year 1420 however, when they do they find their palaces infest with Mycenaeans how have literally overrun the island. The newly appointed King Minos X of Enrisoss sends the powerful army through Crete. By 1415, The cities of Zakro, Gourina, Malia, Khania, Phaistos and Knossosos are liberated. In 1414 BCE, one of his most controversial decisions in his reign, he orders the Massacre of the Mycenaean men, and the Women and Children to be sold into slavery. King Pelopos of Mycenae, in retaliation of the massacre launches a massive campaign against The Minoans in southern Italy and attempt an Invasion of the Asia Minor colonies. Heavy fighting is ensued in Italy, and both armies are bogged down in their till 1410 BCE. King Minos, seeks alliance with King Arnuwanda I of the Hittite Empire. Together they crush the Mycenaean armies in Asia Minor. The Minoan fleet crushes the Mycenaean navy which cuts off availability of Supplies, Equipment and Reinforcements, force The Mycenaean’s out of Southern Italy. Finally, The Two kings set up an Massive invasion of the unto the Myceanean homeland in the Peloponnesus. It only takes two years for the armies to conquer Pythia and other small towns. Athens pledges allegiance to the Minoans and is not sacked, while Argos itself is taken and King Pelepos is executed. The men are killed and Women and Children are sold into slavery. The Peloponnesus is split, with Athens going to the Hittites. Thus ending Myceanen Expansion and Giving birth to the New Minoan Period in Greece.
1400 BCE: Vengeful Mycenaean slaves burn The Palace of Minos to the ground. The Arsonist are captured and executed by King Daros I(King Minos was killed in the fire). Also in this year the Canaanite town of Ugrait is at it Height.
1380 BCE: Pharaoh Amenhotep II connects the Nile and the Red Sea with a canal.
1358-1357 BCE: Reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten/Queen Neffertiti, Born as Amenhotep IV, his name means "the spirit of the Aten". Together with his wife, Nefertiti, Akhenaton introduced a monotheistic cult of one god, the sun god Aton, and abolished the worship of all the other traditional Egyptian gods. He was branded the "Criminal of Amarna" (the city he built to the Aten).
1358 BCE: Death of Erichthonius, mythical King of Dardania.
1358-1357 BCE: Reign of Pharaoh Smenkhare The ‘’Great’‘. After the death of Akhneaton, The Mysterious son-in-law of Akenaton takes to the throne, unlike his father-in-law Smenkhare, is compassionate for the people of Egypt. It was said the he hardly staid at the palace in Armana. He was often found spreading the hymns of Aten to peasants, visiting the gold mines in Nubia and improving trade relations with the many nations of the middle east. He is Assassinated by an unknown assailant. He is known for his valuable riches lft in his tomb in the Valley of The Kings.
1357 BCE: King Daros I of Minoa dies, he is succeeded by his son who takes to the throne as Kroti I.. Also in this year, Pharaoh Smekhare I is succeeded by 12 year-old cousin Tutankhaten,
1354 BCE: Pharoah Tutankhaten of Egypt renames himself to Tutankhamun and abandons Amarna, returning the capital to Thebes.
1351 BCE: Pharaoh Tutankhamun is assassinated, His wife Queen Ankhesenamen , She writes a letter to the Hittite king Suppiluliumas I, who is restoring and vastly expands the decayed Hittite empire, asking him to send one of his sons to become her husband and to become Pharaoh of Egypt. King Suppiluliumas 1, sends his son Zannanza, with an small army to accompany with him. He arrives safetly and the two are quickly married and Zannanza becomes The First Pharaoh of the new Nineteenth Dyansty. Upon his ascension, upon his wife’s request has every possible threat eliminated. He will have a successful reign as Pharaoh, and will continue the polcies of his predecessor Smenkhare, and because of his great ties with Hatti. The kingdom will prosper greatly from his reign.
1347 BCE: Legendary King Erechtheus II is reportedly killed by lightning after a reign of 50 years and is succeeded by his younger brother Cecrops II.
1334 BCE: King Suppiluliuma I of Hatti dies, he is succeeded by his son who takes to the throne as Arnuwanda II
1333 BCE: King Arnuwands II of Hatti dies, he is succeeded by his brother who takes to the throne as Mursili II
1330 BCE: King Kroti of Minoa dies, he is succeeded by his son who takes to the throne as Daros II
1326 BCE: Pharaoh Zannaza dies, he is succeeded by son who takes to the throne as Pharaoh Menes II.
1303 BCE: Cecrops II, legendary King of Athens dies after a reign of 40 years and succeeded by his son Pandion II. His brother Metion leads a successful revolt by Nobles to gain control of Athens and most of Attica, Greece while Cecrops becomes reigns from Megara.
1298 BCE:. King Daros II of Minoa dies, he is succeeded by his son who takes to the throne as Minos IX.
1292 BCE: Pharaoh Menes II dies, he is succeeded by his son who takes to the throne as Smenkhare II.
1285 BCE: Battle of Kadesh: Smenkhare II, Pharaoh of Egypt is almost defeated by Muwatallis of the Hittites.
1282 BCE: Pandion II, legendary King of Athens dies after a nominal reign of 25 years. He reportedly only reigned in Megara while Athens and the rest of Attica were under the control of an alliance of Nobles led by his uncle Metion (son of Erechtheus of Athens) and his sons (including in some accounts Daedalus). His four sons lead a successful military campaign to regain the throne. Aegeus becomes King of Athens, Nisos reigns in Megara, Lykos in Euboea and Pallas in southern Attica.
1269 BCE: Pharaoh Smenkhare II signs the first known peace treaty with Hittite King
Hattusilis III.
C.a. 1260's BCE: Traditional date set for The Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt under The Leadership of Moses
1251 BCE: King Minos IX dies, he is succeeded by his son who takes to the throne as Daros III. Also on September 7th of that year, A solar eclipse at this date might mark the birth of legendary Heracles at Thebes, Greece.
1233 BCE: Aegeus, legendary King of Athens receives a false message that his son by Aethra of Troezena and designated heir Theseus is dead. The later had been sent to his overlord Minos of Crete as an offering to Minotaur. Medus, Aegeus' only other son by Medea of Colchis had been exiled in Asia and would become legendary ancestor to the Medes. Believing himself without heirs the King committed suicide after a reign of 48 years. He is succeeded by the still living Theseus. The Aegean Sea is reportedly named in his honor.
1225 BCE: Pharaoh Smenkhare II dies at the remarkable age of 90, He is succeeded by his son who takes to the throne as Zannaza II. Also in this year, Birth of Helen to King Tyndareus of Sparta and his wife Leda.
1221 BCE : King Daros III of Minos dies, he is succeeded by his son who takes to the throne as Kroti II.
1213 BCE: Thesseus legendary King of Athens is deposed and succeeded by Menestheus, great-grandson of Erechtheus and second cousin of his father Aegeus. Menestheus was reportedly assisted by Castor and Polydeuces of Sparta who wanted to reclaim their sister Helen from her first husband Theseus. The later seeks refuge in Skyros whose King Lycomedes is an old friend and ally of his. However Lycomedes considers his visitor a threat to the throne and proceeds in his assassination. (Other accounts place these events a decade later
1200 BCE: The Cimmerians began settling the steppes of Southern Russia.