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c. 1200–700 BCE
Aramaean
After the Bronze Age collapse, Aramaean kingdoms formed across inland Syria. Their language, Aramaic, became the everyday tongue of the Near East for centuries.
Period: Iron Age · 1200–330 BCE
Major historical events
- 9th century BCEVerified historical fact
Aramaean states repeatedly confront Assyrian expansion.
Architecture
Basalt orthostat reliefs, columned entrance halls and citadel temples.
Religion, culture and daily life
Aramaic script and language; regional cults centred on storm deities.
Trade
Caravan routes between the coast, the Euphrates and northern Arabia.
Archaeological discoveries
- Aleppo citadel temple reliefs
- Northern Syrian orthostat sculpture
