Ancient Jordan History

Over 8,000 years ago in what is now present day Jordan, there lived Stone Age hunters. Around 8,000 BC the hunters began farming and living in organized villages. During the Bronze Age, they lived in fortified towns and soon trade routes began to pass through Jordan because of its proximity to two booming trade routes that ran through Egypt and Iraq. Jordan also shares borders with Israel, Syria, and Saudi Arabia. After 1500 BC Jordan divided into organized kingdoms of which included the three cities Moab, Edom, and Amon. Then "after 500 BC Arabs called the Nabateans migrated to Jordan. They developed a rich kingdom based on the trade routes through the area. Their capital was at Petra" (Lambert). During this period, Rome became the new power in the East, and while the Nabateans maintained their independence at first, they were soon absorbed into the Roman Empire in 106 AD. When the Roman …show more content…
For example in the spring of 2013 in the southern city of Maan "Protesters set fire to the government headquarters as well as public and private cars, in protest of the death of two wanted men, who were shot dead by the police last week, according to official statements" (Al Monitor). In another incident at a public university in Maan four men were killed and dozens others were injured after "a bloody conflict between students affiliated with Maan clans and others hailing from the southern desert (Al Monitor)". Jordan as a whole has been going through many economic issues over the years due to borrowing money from foreign countries, government spending, and a high unemployment rate. In response to these issues, the government has made decisions that leave the people of Jordan unhappy. The fuel prices are constantly increasing, while some crucial subsidies have been terminated. This only fuels the civil