Near East and Middle East

• Assyrian Empire (911-612 BC): At its peak, covering modern-day Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and parts of Turkey, Egypt and Iran.

• King Ashurbanipal (668-627 BC): Ruled Assyria during Nahum’s time, known for cultural achievements and brutal military campaigns.

• Babylonian Empire (626-539 BC): Emerging power, eventually conquered Assyria in 612 BC.

• Medes Empire (678-550 BC): Played a crucial role in Assyria’s downfall.

Israel and Judah

• Divided Kingdoms (930-586 BC): Israel (north) and Judah (south) were separate kingdoms.

• King Manasseh (687-642 BC): Ruled Judah during Nahum’s time, known for idolatry and corruption.

• Israel’s fall (722 BC): Assyria conquered Israel, deporting its inhabitants.

• Judah’s struggles: Faced Assyrian domination, internal corruption and prophetic calls for reform.

Mediterranean and Europe

• Greek Dark Ages (c. 1100-750 BC): Greece was in a period of cultural and economic decline.

• Rise of Athens and Sparta: City-states emerged as powers in Greece.

• Phoenician and Carthaginian expansion: Mediterranean trade and colonization flourished.

Africa

• Egyptian 26th Dynasty (664-525 BC): Egypt experienced a resurgence under Psamtik I.

• Nubian Kingdom (2000 BC-300 AD): Flourished in present-day Sudan.

Asia

• Rise of the Chinese Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC): China’s feudal era.

• Emergence of Buddhism (563 BC): Siddhartha Gautama’s teachings in ancient India.

Key Events

• Assyrian conquest of Egypt (671 BC): Ashurbanipal’s campaign.

• Siege of Jerusalem (701 BC): Assyria’s failed attempt to conquer Judah.

• Scythian invasions (650-600 BC): Nomadic people raided Anatolia and the Near East.

• Babylonian-Median alliance (616 BC): Laid groundwork for Assyria’s downfall.

Cultural and Economic Trends

• Trade and colonization: Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Greeks expanded Mediterranean trade.

• Cultural exchange: Assyrian, Babylonian and Egyptian influences spread.

• Literacy and writing: Alphabetical writing emerged, replacing cuneiform.

• Architectural advancements: Temple construction, palace buildings and infrastructure development.

Social and Religious Context

• Assyrian idolatry: Worship of multiple gods, including Ashur and Ishtar.

• Judaism’s struggles: Internal conflict, corruption and prophetic calls for reform.

• Emerging philosophical thought: Precursors to ancient Greek philosophy.