7th century BC

The 7th century BC began the first day of 700 BC and ended the last day of 601 BC.

The Neo-Assyrian Empire continued to dominate the Near East during this century, exercising formidable power over neighbors like Babylon and Egypt. In the last two decades of the century, however, the empire began to unravel as numerous enemies made alliances and waged war from all sides. The Assyrians finally left the world stage permanently when their capital Nineveh was destroyed in 612 BC. These events gave rise to the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which would dominate the region for much of the following century.

The Zhou dynasty continues in China and the Late Period begins in Egypt with the Twenty-sixth Dynasty starting with the coronation of Psamtik I.

In Mesoamerica, the Zapotec civilization began to develop in the area later known as the Valley of Oaxaca.

See: List of sovereign states in the 7th century BC.