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History of Jordan
From antiquity to the modern era — the historical eras, key events, and narrative that shaped Jordan.
Overview
Mosaic of a man in a boat, from the Byzantine Church of Saint Lots and Saint Prokopius, Khirbat al Muhayyat, ca. 550 JORDAN’S LOCATION AS a buffer zone between the settled region of the Mediterranean littoral west of the Jordan River and the major part of the desert to the east contributed significantly to the country’s experience in ancient and more recent times. Until 1921, however, Jordan had a history as a vaguely defined territory without a separate political identity.
Historical Eras
The major periods of {country}’s history at a glance.
Ancient & Classical
3000 BCE – 636
The territory of present-day Jordan was home to early Semitic peoples, the Nabataean Kingdom with its capital at Petra, and successive imperial overlords including Alexander the Great, Rome, and Byzantium. Rome incorporated Nabataea as the province of Arabia Petraea in 106 CE under Trajan. The region hosted crucial early Christian and Jewish communities, and the Dead Sea Scrolls were produced at Qumran during this era.
Islamic Caliphates
636 – 1250
Arab Muslim forces under Khalid ibn al-Walid conquered the region in 636 CE, integrating it into the expanding Islamic caliphates — Umayyad, then Abbasid. The Crusaders briefly controlled parts of Transjordan in the 12th century until Saladin's decisive victory at the Battle of Hattin in 1187 reversed their gains. The area served as a transit corridor between Arabia, Syria, and Egypt throughout this period.
Mamluk & Ottoman Rule
1250 – 1921
Mamluk slave-soldiers governed the region from Cairo from 1250 until the Ottoman Turks conquered Jordan in 1517, incorporating it into the sprawling empire for four centuries. Ottoman rule was largely decentralized, with Transjordan remaining sparsely populated and administered loosely through Damascus. The Arab Revolt of 1916, led in part by Hashimite prince Abdullah ibn Hussein, helped dismantle Ottoman authority during World War I.
British Mandate & Amirate
1921 – 1946
Following the 1921 Cairo Conference, Britain established the Amirate of Transjordan under Hashimite prince Abdullah ibn Hussein, formally recognizing him as ruler in 1923. The territory was administered under British patronage as a mandate, distinct from Palestine to the west. Abdullah built foundational institutions, including the Arab Legion, which would become the backbone of the future Jordanian state.
Hashimite Kingdom
1946 – 1999
Full independence was granted in 1946, and Abdullah proclaimed the Hashimite Kingdom of Jordan in 1949 after annexing the West Bank following the first Arab-Israeli War. His grandson King Hussein, who reigned from 1953 to 1999, navigated Cold War pressures, the loss of the West Bank in the 1967 Six-Day War, and the 1970–71 Black September conflict with Palestinian fighters. Hussein signed a landmark peace treaty with Israel in 1994 and initiated parliamentary liberalization in 1989.
Modern Jordan
1999 – present
King Abdullah II assumed the throne in February 1999 following Hussein's death and pursued aggressive economic reforms, including accession to the World Trade Organization in 2000 and engagement with the European Free Trade Association. Jordan has managed significant regional instability — including the Iraq War, the Syrian refugee crisis, and the rise of ISIS — while maintaining its role as a moderate stabilizing force in the Middle East. Ongoing challenges include water scarcity, unemployment, and balancing democratic reform with monarchical governance.
Timeline Preview
The first 7 key events. View the full chronology on the timeline page.
300 BCE – 68 BCE
The Dead Sea Scrolls of Qumran, Jordan, date to this period.
The Dead Sea Scrolls of Qumran, Jordan, date to this period.
63 BCE
Rome conquers the region
Rome, led by Pompey, conquers the region. In 106 A.D., it becomes part of the Roman province of Arabia.
106
Nabatae, whose capital was Petra, became a Roman province under Trajan.
Nabatae, whose capital was Petra, became a Roman province under Trajan.
333
Alexander the Great destroyed Jordan on his way to Egypt
Alexander the Great destroyed Jordan on his way to Egypt.
363
A devastating earthquake leveled half the city of Petra, the principal city of Nabatea.
A devastating earthquake leveled half the city of Petra, the principal city of Nabatea.
636
Khalid ibnal-Walid brings the region under Muslim rule.
Khalid ibnal-Walid brings the region under Muslim rule.
1037
Seljuk Turks begin to rule Jordan
Seljuk Turks begin to rule Jordan.