imperial history of the middle east and europe

This is a very interesting flash animation, which is supposed to show the history of the middle east over the last 5,000 years or so.

In reality what it shows is the major imperial power that ever controlled Canaan/Palestine/Israel/Judea and roughly when they came to power, etc. Its not terribly accurate (shows the Roman Empire taking Jerusalem in about 200 A.D., instead of 63 B.C.). It also doesn't give a very good impression of how long various groups controlled regions. The flow of time through the video is not constant. Egypt and the Kingdom of Judah (incorrectly labeled in the video as 'Kingdom of Israel') both lasted much longer than Byzantine control did. It also looks like the Ottoman's took control in about 1700. In reality, they invaded in 1516, and didn't leave until (1917).

But hey, it gives you the idea and it looks very cool.



For the record, i know this land has been fought over for thousands of years, but the specific problems we have today i still blame on the British. When they setup the "British Mandate of Palestine" it just made everyone upset and no one happy.