The 15th century BCE

The 15th century BCE is the period spanning the years 1500 BCE to 1401 BCE. It forms part of the Late Bronze Age in the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean. Years are counted in descending order: 1500 BCE comes before 1401 BCE.

This period is marked by powerful states bound together through trade, royal marriage, and conflict. Egypt, Mitanni, the Hittites, Babylon, and the coastal cities of the Levant participated in a diplomatic system involving the exchange of letters.

Egypt and the New Kingdom

Egypt was in the New Kingdom period, of the 18th Dynasty. Notable rulers of this century include Hatshepsut, who built the temple of Deir el-Bahari, and Thutmose III, who led many campaigns in the Levant. The Battle of Megiddo, fought between Thutmose III and a coalition of Canaanite cities, is among the earliest battles to be recorded in detail.

The Middle East and Anatolia

The Mitanni kingdom, based in northern Mesopotamia, controlled extensive territory and competed with Egypt for control of Syria. The Hittites of Anatolia recovered after a period of weakness and grew stronger toward the end of the century. Southern Mesopotamia was ruled by the Kassites, who held Babylon.

The Aegean and elsewhere

The island of Crete and Minoan civilization underwent major change, as Mycenaeans from mainland Greece became influential. This period is often associated with the volcanic eruption of Thera (Santorini), though scholars dispute the precise date. In South Asia and China, early Vedic culture and the Shang dynasty continued.