The history of Jordan ranges from prehistoric times through ancient empires to modern nationhood. Archaeological evidence suggests that the region has been inhabited for at least 90,000 years, with significant Neolithic sites like Ain Ghazal. Throughout ancient history, Jordan saw the rise and fall of several civilizations, including the Akkadian, Assyrian, and Persian empires, and later, the Greeks under Alexander the Great. The area became a pivotal part of the Roman Empire and later experienced the spread of Islam during the Muslim conquests of the 7th century. Under Ottoman rule from the 16th century, Jordan remained relatively obscure until the 20th century when the Arab Revolt set the stage for the establishment of the modern state.
Historical Timeline of Jordan
Prehistoric and Ancient Times
- c. 9000 BCE: Establishment of Jericho, one of the oldest inhabited cities.
- c. 7000-5000 BCE: Ain Ghazal, a significant Neolithic site, flourishes.
- c. 2334-2100 BCE: Jordan is part of the Akkadian Empire.
- c. 2000 BCE: Arrival of the Hyksos.
- c. 1570 BCE: Egyptians expel the Hyksos from Jordan.
- 1458-1425 BCE: Jordan prospers under Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III.
- c. 1200 BCE: Invasion by the Sea Peoples.
- c. 1115-612 BCE: Part of the Assyrian and Neo-Assyrian Empires.
- 549-330 BCE: Incorporated into the Achaemenid Empire of Persia.
- 331-323 BCE: Conquered by Alexander the Great.
- c. 175-164 BCE: Hellenistic period; foundation of Jerash.
- 63 BCE-106 CE: Becomes part of the Roman Empire.
- c. 634-638 CE: Muslim Conquest; Arabs take control from the Romans.
Middle Ages to Ottoman Period
- 661-750 CE: Under the Umayyad Caliphate.
- 750-1258 CE: Part of the Abbasid Caliphate.
- 1516-1918 CE: Incorporated into the Ottoman Empire.
20th Century to Present
- 1916-1918: Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule, with significant battles in Jordan.
- 1921: Establishment of the Emirate of Transjordan under British mandate.
- 1946: Independence from Britain; becomes the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
- 1947-48: Influx of Palestinian refugees following the Arab-Israeli conflict.
- 1951: Assassination of King Abdullah I; his son Talal becomes king but abdicates in 1952.
- 1953: King Hussein ascends to the throne.
- 1967: Jordan loses the West Bank to Israel during the Six-Day War.
- 1970: Black September conflict with the PLO.
- 1994: Peace treaty signed with Israel.
- 1999: King Abdullah II becomes the ruler.
- 2005: Amman bombings by Al-Qaeda.
- 2011: Arab Spring protests demand reforms.
- 2014: Jordan intervenes in the Syrian Civil War against ISIS.
In the 20th century, Jordan emerged from Ottoman rule to become the Emirate of Transjordan under British mandate and later gained full independence in 1946 as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The mid-20th century was marked by regional conflict and political upheaval, including the loss of the West Bank in the Six-Day War and internal strife with the Palestinian Liberation Organization. The peace treaty with Israel in 1994 and the ongoing reign of King Abdullah II have marked a period of relative stability and modernization, despite challenges such as the Arab Spring protests and regional conflicts. Jordan’s historical journey from ancient civilizations to a modern kingdom reflects its resilience and strategic importance in the Middle East.
