History by century · The 2000s BCE
The 21st century BCE
In the 2000s BCE, 33 recorded states existed somewhere in the world. 13 were founded and 3 came to an end. The great powers of the age included the Neo-Sumerian Empire, the Elamite Confederation and the Uruk.
Great powers
Profiles of the 21st century BCE, ranked by their military, territorial, economic and historical weight in the Institute’s analysis and by how strong they were in these hundred years.
Neo-Sumerian Empire2112 BCE – 2004 BCEScore 5.2/10 · at its peak c. 2070 BCE
Elamite Confederation2700 BCE – 539 BCEScore 4.7/10
Uruk3500 BCE – 1802 BCEScore 5.9/10
Mari2900 BCE – 1761 BCEScore 4.6/10
Middle Kingdom of Egypt2055 BCE – 1650 BCEScore 5.6/10
Byblos2600 BCE – 332 BCEScore 4.5/10
Dilmun2200 BCE – 538 BCEScore 3.3/10
Ebla3000 BCE – 1600 BCEScore 4.4/10
Assyrian Empire2025 BCE – 609 BCEScore 6.4/10
People
Ibbi-SinPerson · r. c. 2028–2004 BCE
Mentuhotep IIPerson · r. c. 2055–2004 BCE
ShulgiPerson · r. c. 2094–2047 BCE
Ishbi-ErraPerson · r. c. 2017–1985 BCE
Mentuhotep IIIPerson · r. c. 2000 BCE
Shu-SinPerson · r. c. 2037–2029 BCE
Iddin-SinPerson · r. c. 2000 BCE
Intef IIPerson · r. c. 2112–2063 BCE
NaplanumPerson · r. c. 2025 BCE- Anum-muttabbilPerson · r. c. 2000 BCE
- Ilshu-iliyaPerson · fl. c. 2026 BCE
- LibanukshabashPerson · 21st century BCE
Works and ideas
States founded 13
- Xia dynasty 2070 BCE – 1600 BCE
- Middle Kingdom of Egypt 2055 BCE – 1650 BCE
- Eshnunna 2028 BCE – 1762 BCE
- Assyrian Empire 2025 BCE – 609 BCE
- Larsa 2025 BCE – 1763 BCE
- Isin 2017 BCE – 1794 BCE
- Der 2000 BCE – 1750 BCE
- Hattum 2000 BCE – 1730 BCE
- Kanesh 2000 BCE – 1700 BCE
- Kingdom of Mukish 2000 BCE – 1200 BCE
- Megiddo 2000 BCE – 1150 BCE
- Purushanda 2000 BCE – 1700 BCE
- Qatna 2000 BCE – 1340 BCE
States that came to an end 3
Cite this page
- APA
- The Epoch Institute. (2026). The 21st century BCE. In The Epoch Institute. https://the-epoch-institute.org/centuries/21st-century-bce
- MLA
- “The 21st century BCE.” The Epoch Institute, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/centuries/21st-century-bce. Accessed .
- Chicago
- The Epoch Institute. “The 21st century BCE.” The Epoch Institute. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/centuries/21st-century-bce.
- Harvard
- The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘The 21st century BCE’, The Epoch Institute. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/centuries/21st-century-bce (Accessed: ).