Conditions Leading to Downfall of Kingdoms, 2000-1000 BCE
| Kingdom and Region | Primary Problems | Consequences |
| Egypt | Exposure to invasion; limited areas of soil fertility; occasional grain shortages | Famines, land shortages, and sizable migrations; invasion by Sea Peoples exploits instability |
| Hatti - Northern Anatolia | Growth overlaps with frontiers of Egypt, Mesopotamia; overextension of power; disruption of trade through warfare; vulnerability to famine and disease in early stages of agriculture | Nomadic prowlers attack during weak periods, ocnquered subjects revolt |
| Crete - Aegean Sea | Uneven organization of labor; distribution of food; competition with other city-states; destruction of environment; little fertile soil; dangerous seas. | Social inequality, internal warfare combine with nearby volcanic activity and earthwuakes to force abandonment of cities, palaces. |
| Mycenaean Civilization | Barbarian raiders from north attracted by wealth of palaces; earthquakes; social inequality; internal warfare | Social inequality, internal warfare combine with nearby volcanic activity and earthquakes to force abandonment of cities, palaces |
| Harappa and Mohenjodare: Indus River | Gradually drying climage; evidence of earthquakes, shifting riverbeds, disease; overuse of environmental resources | Gradual collapse of food distribution system; political control; cities and towns abandoned |
| Shang and Zhou Dynasties - China | Overdependence of Shang leaders on rituals, oracles, war, conquest to manipulate harvest, weather | Collapse of Shang rule; rise of Zhou state; shifting center of empire; lessened dependence on divination by bone oracles. |