Timeline of Iraq

Chronology

34 events spanning the history of Iraq. BCE/CE dating.

1. 3500 BCE

   Known as Mesopotamia a region now in southeastern Iraq.

   Known as Mesopotamia, the world’s first civilization developed in Sumer, a region now in southeastern Iraq.

2. 627

   Byzantine invasion, and the region was weakened politically and economically.

   Byzantine invasion, and the region was weakened politically and economically.

3. 633

   Muslims conquered Syria and Iraq.

   Muslims conquered Syria and Iraq.

4. 680

   Tragedy of Karbala

   Tragedy of Karbala (in modern Iraq): Troops from Umayyad caliph Yazid I (645 - 683) murdered Husayn (c. 626 - 680) who, for the Shiites, was really the legitimate successor to the caliphate. This triggered the Shi’i’tes’ open and violent revolt against Umayyad rule, with the anniversary of Husayn’s death becoming a Shi’ite day of mourning.

5. 685 – 687

   Shi’i’te Muslims staged a revolt in Iraq.

   Shi’i’te Muslims staged a revolt in Iraq.

6. 747

   Revolt by the Iraqi family Abbasi starts.

   Revolt by the Iraqi family Abbasi starts.

7. 750

   The Abbasids assumed command of the Islamic world

   The Abbasids assumed command of the Islamic world (except Spain, which fell under the control of a descendant of the Umayyad family) and moved the capital to Baghdad in Iraq.

8. 865

   Civil war between Baghdad and Samarra.

   Civil war between Baghdad and Samarra.

9. 870

   Stability restored, with the Abbasids as victors.

   Stability restored, with the Abbasids as victors, but they are strongly weakened politically and economically.

10. 945

    A Shi’ite group invaded Baghdad.

    A Shi’ite group invaded Baghdad and the Abbasid Empire was reduced to a powerless symbol. Legitimate authority reverted to the Muslim community. Until the sixteenth century, rule of Islamic civilization was decentralized with different sects being ruled by different leaders.