Edom

Edom was a state in Levant (Middle East) that lasted from c. 1000 to 552 BCE, about 448 years. Its people spoke Semitic languages (Akkadian, Amorite, Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician, Ge'ez, Amharic, Tigrinya).

Kingdom south of the Dead Sea that controlled copper mines and the incense road. The Babylonian king Nabonidus ended it around 552 BCE, and Arab Nabataeans later settled its land.

See Edom on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 1000 to 552 BCE
Duration: 448 years
Type: State
Region: Levant, Middle East
Language family: Semitic
Capital: Bozrah

Events in Middle East during its time

853 BCE Battle of Qarqar
722 BCE Assyria conquers Samaria
612 BCE Fall of Nineveh
587 BCE Destruction of Jerusalem

Neighbours in Middle East

Neo-Assyrian Empire 911 to 609 BCE
Kingdom of Saba c. 1000 BCE to 275 CE
Greek cities of Asia Minor c. 1050 to 129 BCE
Phoenician city-states c. 1200 to 332 BCE
Middle Assyrian Empire 1365 to 912 BCE
Kingdom of Judah c. 930 to 587 BCE
Urartu c. 860 to 590 BCE
Kingdom of Israel c. 930 to 720 BCE
Phrygia c. 900 to 695 BCE
Lydia c. 680 to 546 BCE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE, Europe

Questions

When did Edom exist?

c. 1000 to 552 BCE, about 448 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Edom?

Levant, in Middle East. Its capital was Bozrah.

What language did Edom speak?

Semitic. This family includes Akkadian, Amorite, Aramaic, Hebrew, Phoenician, Ge'ez, Amharic, Tigrinya.