The 8th century BCE started the first day of 800 BC and ended the last day of 701 BC. The 8th century BC is a period of great change for several historically significant civilizations. In Egypt, the 23rd and 24th dynasties lead to rule from Nubia in the 25th Dynasty. The Neo-Assyrian Empire reaches the peak of its power, conquering the Kingdom of Israel as well as nearby countries. Greece colonizes other regions of the Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea. Rome is founded in 753 BC, and the Etruscan civilization expands in Italy. The 8th century BC is conventionally taken as the beginning of Classical Antiquity, with the first Olympiad set at 776 BC, and the epics of Homer dated to between 750 and 650 BC. Iron Age India enters the later Vedic period. Vedic ritual is annotated in many priestly schools in Brahmana commentaries, and the earliest Upanishads mark the beginning of Vedanta philosophy. Events Late 8th century BC: Earrings, crown and rosettes, from the tomb of Queen Yabay in Kalhu (modern Nimrud, Iraq) are made. They are now at Iraq Museum, Baghdad. Discovered in 1988. Second half of the 8th century BC: In the Kingdom of Judah, Jerusalem begins an expansion in population and size, going from a small town into a major city. 797 BC: Thespieus, King of Athens, dies after a reign of 27 years and is succeeded by his son Agamestor. 780s BC 788 BC: The Malay society of Sungai Batu in Old Kedah Kingdom (History of Kedah) had established the dynamic city port and industry which iron smelting has operated in a large scale and their entreport was an important trade centre. Iron was the major commodity which exported from Sungai Batu, Old Kedah Kingdom or it was known in the past as Kataha, Qalah, Chie-Cha and some other names. At these time, Old Kedah Kingdom located in Malaysia or the Malay Peninsula. The excavation works at the ancient city are still going on. 783 BC: Shalmaneser IV succeeds his father Adad-nirari III as king of Assyria. 782 BC: Founding of Erebuni (Էրեբունի) by the orders of King Argishtis I at the site of current-day Yerevan. 782 BC: Death of King Xuan of Zhou, King of the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC—256 BC) of China. 781 BC: King You of Zhou becomes King of the Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC—256 BC) of China. 780 BC: The