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--- a/civilizations/akkadian-empire.md
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+<!-- factbase:ee0ff0 -->
+# Akkadian Empire
+
+# Akkadian Empire
+
+## Overview
+The Akkadian Empire (~2334–2154 BCE) was the first empire in Mesopotamia, unifying Sumerian and Akkadian-speaking city-states under Sargon of Akkad. It established a model for subsequent Mesopotamian empires.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Mesopotamia, extending from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean
+- Period: ~2334–2154 BCE
+- Capital: Akkad (location still undiscovered)
+- Language: Akkadian (Semitic), alongside Sumerian
+- Founded by: Sargon of Akkad
+
+## Notable Rulers
+- Sargon of Akkad (~2334–2279 BCE): Founder, conquered Sumerian city-states [^1]
+- Naram-Sin (~2254–2218 BCE): Grandson of Sargon, expanded empire, declared himself divine
+
+## Achievements
+- First multi-ethnic empire in recorded history
+- Standardized weights and measures across Mesopotamia
+- Akkadian became the lingua franca of the ancient Near East
+- Produced significant art including the Victory Stele of Naram-Sin
+
+## Decline
+Collapsed ~2154 BCE due to internal revolts, Gutian invasions, and possibly severe drought linked to the 4.2-kiloyear climate event [^2].
+
+---
+[^1]: Westenholz, J.G. *Legends of the Kings of Akkade* (1997)
+[^2]: Weiss, H. et al. "The Genesis and Collapse of Third Millennium North Mesopotamian Civilization" *Science* 261 (1993)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Mesopotamia, extending from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~2334–2154 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Capital: Akkad (location still undiscovered)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Language: Akkadian (Semitic), alongside Sumerian" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Founded by: Sargon of Akkad" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Sargon of Akkad (~2334–2279 BCE): Founder, conquered Sumerian city-states [^1]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Naram-Sin (~2254–2218 BCE): Grandson of Sargon, expanded empire, declared h..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 21: "First multi-ethnic empire in recorded history" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Standardized weights and measures across Mesopotamia" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Akkadian became the lingua franca of the ancient Near East" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Produced significant art including the Victory Stele of Naram-Sin" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Mesopotamia, extending from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~2334–2154 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Capital: Akkad (location still undiscovered)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Language: Akkadian (Semitic), alongside Sumerian" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Founded by: Sargon of Akkad" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Naram-Sin (~2254–2218 BCE): Grandson of Sargon, expanded empire, declared h..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 21: "First multi-ethnic empire in recorded history" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 22: "Standardized weights and measures across Mesopotamia" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 23: "Akkadian became the lingua franca of the ancient Near East" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 24: "Produced significant art including the Victory Stele of Naram-Sin" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 17: "Sargon of Akkad (~2334–2279 BCE): Founder, conquered Sumerian city-states [^1]" - Westenholz source from 1997 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/ancient-china.md
+++ b/civilizations/ancient-china.md
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+<!-- factbase:133a48 -->
+# Ancient China
+
+# Ancient China
+
+## Overview
+Ancient Chinese civilization developed along the Yellow and Yangtze rivers, producing enduring contributions to philosophy, governance, technology, and culture. This entry covers the period from the Shang dynasty through the Han dynasty (~1600 BCE – 220 CE).
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: East Asia, centered on the Yellow River and Yangtze River valleys
+- Period covered: ~1600 BCE – 220 CE
+- Major dynasties: Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han
+- Language: Old Chinese, Classical Chinese
+- Writing: Oracle bone script (~1200 BCE), evolving into seal script and clerical script
+
+## Major Dynasties
+- Shang (~1600–1046 BCE): First historically verified dynasty, oracle bones, bronze casting [^1]
+- Zhou (~1046–256 BCE): Longest dynasty, Mandate of Heaven, Confucius, Laozi
+- Qin (221–206 BCE): First unified empire under Qin Shi Huang, Great Wall, standardization
+- Han (206 BCE – 220 CE): Silk Road trade, paper invention, Confucian state ideology
+
+## Achievements
+- Oracle bone script: Earliest Chinese writing ~1200 BCE
+- Iron casting by ~500 BCE (centuries before the West)
+- Silk production and trade
+- Paper invented ~100 CE during the Han dynasty [^2]
+- Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism as philosophical traditions
+- Great Wall construction begun under Qin Shi Huang ~221 BCE
+
+---
+[^1]: Keightley, D. *Sources of Shang History* (University of California Press, 1978)
+[^2]: Tsien, T. *Written on Bamboo and Silk* (University of Chicago Press, 2004)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: East Asia, centered on the Yellow River and Yangtze River valleys" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period covered: ~1600 BCE – 220 CE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Major dynasties: Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Language: Old Chinese, Classical Chinese" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Writing: Oracle bone script (~1200 BCE), evolving into seal script and cleric..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Shang (~1600–1046 BCE): First historically verified dynasty, oracle bones, ..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Zhou (~1046–256 BCE): Longest dynasty, Mandate of Heaven, Confucius, Laozi" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Qin (221–206 BCE): First unified empire under Qin Shi Huang, Great Wall, st..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "Han (206 BCE – 220 CE): Silk Road trade, paper invention, Confucian state i..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Oracle bone script: Earliest Chinese writing ~1200 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Iron casting by ~500 BCE (centuries before the West)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "Silk production and trade" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 26: "Paper invented ~100 CE during the Han dynasty [^2]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 27: "Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism as philosophical traditions" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 28: "Great Wall construction begun under Qin Shi Huang ~221 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: East Asia, centered on the Yellow River and Yangtze River valleys" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period covered: ~1600 BCE – 220 CE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Major dynasties: Shang, Zhou, Qin, Han" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Language: Old Chinese, Classical Chinese" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Writing: Oracle bone script (~1200 BCE), evolving into seal script and cleric..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Zhou (~1046–256 BCE): Longest dynasty, Mandate of Heaven, Confucius, Laozi" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Qin (221–206 BCE): First unified empire under Qin Shi Huang, Great Wall, st..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Han (206 BCE – 220 CE): Silk Road trade, paper invention, Confucian state i..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 23: "Oracle bone script: Earliest Chinese writing ~1200 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 24: "Iron casting by ~500 BCE (centuries before the West)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Silk production and trade" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 27: "Confucianism, Daoism, and Legalism as philosophical traditions" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 28: "Great Wall construction begun under Qin Shi Huang ~221 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 17: "Shang (~1600–1046 BCE): First historically verified dynasty, oracle bones, ..." - Keightley source from 1978 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 26: "Paper invented ~100 CE during the Han dynasty [^2]" - Tsien source from 2004 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/ancient-egypt.md
+++ b/civilizations/ancient-egypt.md
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+<!-- factbase:2ac383 -->
+# Ancient Egypt
+
+# Ancient Egypt
+
+## Overview
+Ancient Egypt was a civilization centered along the Nile River in northeastern Africa, lasting from ~3100 BCE to 30 BCE. It produced monumental architecture, a complex writing system, and one of the longest-lasting state structures in history.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Nile Valley and Delta, northeastern Africa
+- Period: ~3100 BCE – 30 BCE (Roman annexation)
+- Capital cities: Memphis, Thebes, Amarna, Alexandria (Ptolemaic)
+- Language: Egyptian (Afro-Asiatic family)
+- Writing systems: Hieroglyphic, Hieratic, Demotic
+- Religion: Polytheistic with pharaoh as divine intermediary
+
+## Major Periods
+- Early Dynastic (~3100–2686 BCE): Unification under Narmer/Menes
+- Old Kingdom (~2686–2181 BCE): Pyramid age, centralized power
+- Middle Kingdom (~2055–1650 BCE): Cultural golden age
+- New Kingdom (~1550–1069 BCE): Imperial expansion, Ramesses II, Tutankhamun
+- Ptolemaic Period (305–30 BCE): Greek-ruled Egypt after Alexander's conquest
+
+## Achievements
+- Great Pyramid of Giza, built ~2560 BCE under Khufu [^1]
+- Developed hieroglyphic writing ~3200 BCE
+- Advanced mummification and funerary practices
+- Sophisticated medicine, mathematics, and astronomy
+- Monumental temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor
+
+## Decline
+Egypt fell under Persian rule (525 BCE), then Macedonian (332 BCE), and finally became a Roman province after the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BCE.
+
+---
+[^1]: Lehner, M. *The Complete Pyramids* (Thames & Hudson, 1997)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Nile Valley and Delta, northeastern Africa" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~3100 BCE – 30 BCE (Roman annexation)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Capital cities: Memphis, Thebes, Amarna, Alexandria (Ptolemaic)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Language: Egyptian (Afro-Asiatic family)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Writing systems: Hieroglyphic, Hieratic, Demotic" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 15: "Religion: Polytheistic with pharaoh as divine intermediary" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Early Dynastic (~3100–2686 BCE): Unification under Narmer/Menes" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Old Kingdom (~2686–2181 BCE): Pyramid age, centralized power" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "Middle Kingdom (~2055–1650 BCE): Cultural golden age" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 21: "New Kingdom (~1550–1069 BCE): Imperial expansion, Ramesses II, Tutankhamun" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Ptolemaic Period (305–30 BCE): Greek-ruled Egypt after Alexander's conquest" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "Great Pyramid of Giza, built ~2560 BCE under Khufu [^1]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 26: "Developed hieroglyphic writing ~3200 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 27: "Advanced mummification and funerary practices" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 28: "Sophisticated medicine, mathematics, and astronomy" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 29: "Monumental temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Nile Valley and Delta, northeastern Africa" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~3100 BCE – 30 BCE (Roman annexation)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Capital cities: Memphis, Thebes, Amarna, Alexandria (Ptolemaic)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Language: Egyptian (Afro-Asiatic family)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Writing systems: Hieroglyphic, Hieratic, Demotic" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 15: "Religion: Polytheistic with pharaoh as divine intermediary" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Early Dynastic (~3100–2686 BCE): Unification under Narmer/Menes" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Old Kingdom (~2686–2181 BCE): Pyramid age, centralized power" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Middle Kingdom (~2055–1650 BCE): Cultural golden age" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 21: "New Kingdom (~1550–1069 BCE): Imperial expansion, Ramesses II, Tutankhamun" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 22: "Ptolemaic Period (305–30 BCE): Greek-ruled Egypt after Alexander's conquest" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 26: "Developed hieroglyphic writing ~3200 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 27: "Advanced mummification and funerary practices" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 28: "Sophisticated medicine, mathematics, and astronomy" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 29: "Monumental temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 21: "New Kingdom (~1550–1069 BCE): Imperial expansion, Ramesses II, Tutankhamun" - what does "II" mean in this context?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 25: "Great Pyramid of Giza, built ~2560 BCE under Khufu [^1]" - Lehner source from 1997 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/ancient-greece.md
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+<!-- factbase:af7739 -->
+# Ancient Greece
+
+# Ancient Greece
+
+## Overview
+Ancient Greece (~800–146 BCE) comprised independent city-states (*poleis*) that produced foundational contributions to Western philosophy, democracy, science, art, and literature.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Greek peninsula, Aegean islands, western Anatolia, colonies across the Mediterranean
+- Period: ~800 BCE (Archaic) – 146 BCE (Roman conquest)
+- Major city-states: Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes
+- Language: Ancient Greek (Indo-European)
+- Writing: Greek alphabet, adapted from Phoenician ~800 BCE
+
+## Major Periods
+- Archaic (~800–480 BCE): Colonization, rise of the polis, early philosophy
+- Classical (480–323 BCE): Golden Age of Athens, Peloponnesian War, Alexander
+- Hellenistic (323–146 BCE): Post-Alexander kingdoms, cultural diffusion
+
+## Achievements
+- Athenian democracy established ~508 BCE under Cleisthenes [^1]
+- Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle
+- Drama: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes
+- History: Herodotus, Thucydides
+- Olympic Games, first held 776 BCE
+- Parthenon completed ~432 BCE
+
+## Decline
+Greece fell under Macedonian hegemony after the Battle of Chaeronea (338 BCE), then became a Roman province after the destruction of Corinth in 146 BCE.
+
+---
+[^1]: Ober, J. *The Rise and Fall of Classical Greece* (Princeton, 2015)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Greek peninsula, Aegean islands, western Anatolia, colonies across th..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~800 BCE (Archaic) – 146 BCE (Roman conquest)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Major city-states: Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Language: Ancient Greek (Indo-European)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Writing: Greek alphabet, adapted from Phoenician ~800 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Archaic (~800–480 BCE): Colonization, rise of the polis, early philosophy" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Classical (480–323 BCE): Golden Age of Athens, Peloponnesian War, Alexander" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Hellenistic (323–146 BCE): Post-Alexander kingdoms, cultural diffusion" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Athenian democracy established ~508 BCE under Cleisthenes [^1]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Drama: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "History: Herodotus, Thucydides" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 26: "Olympic Games, first held 776 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 27: "Parthenon completed ~432 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Greek peninsula, Aegean islands, western Anatolia, colonies across th..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~800 BCE (Archaic) – 146 BCE (Roman conquest)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Major city-states: Athens, Sparta, Corinth, Thebes" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Language: Ancient Greek (Indo-European)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Writing: Greek alphabet, adapted from Phoenician ~800 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Archaic (~800–480 BCE): Colonization, rise of the polis, early philosophy" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Classical (480–323 BCE): Golden Age of Athens, Peloponnesian War, Alexander" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Hellenistic (323–146 BCE): Post-Alexander kingdoms, cultural diffusion" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 23: "Philosophy: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 24: "Drama: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "History: Herodotus, Thucydides" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 26: "Olympic Games, first held 776 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 27: "Parthenon completed ~432 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 22: "Athenian democracy established ~508 BCE under Cleisthenes [^1]" - Ober source from 2015 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/assyrian-empire.md
+++ b/civilizations/assyrian-empire.md
@@ -0,0 +1,114 @@
+<!-- factbase:177c6a -->
+# Assyrian Empire
+
+# Assyrian Empire
+
+## Overview
+The Assyrian Empire was a Mesopotamian power that dominated the ancient Near East, reaching its zenith during the Neo-Assyrian period (911–609 BCE) as the largest empire the world had yet seen.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Northern Mesopotamia, expanding across the Near East
+- Neo-Assyrian period: 911–609 BCE
+- Capitals: Ashur, Nimrud (Kalhu), Nineveh
+- Language: Akkadian (Assyrian dialect), later Aramaic
+
+## Notable Rulers
+- Tiglath-Pileser III (745–727 BCE): Administrative reforms, professional army
+- Sargon II (722–705 BCE): Conquered Israel, built Dur-Sharrukin
+- Sennacherib (705–681 BCE): Expanded Nineveh, besieged Jerusalem
+- Ashurbanipal (668–631 BCE): Created the Library of Nineveh [^1]
+
+## Achievements
+- Library of Nineveh: ~30,000 cuneiform tablets, preserving Mesopotamian literature
+- Advanced siege warfare and military engineering
+- Extensive road network and postal system
+- Monumental palace reliefs (Nimrud, Nineveh)
+
+## Decline
+Fell to a coalition of Babylonians and Medes; Nineveh destroyed in 612 BCE. The last Assyrian forces defeated at Carchemish in 605 BCE [^2].
+
+---
+[^1]: Frahm, E. "The Library of Ashurbanipal" in *The Oxford Handbook of Cuneiform Culture* (2011)
+[^2]: Radner, K. *Ancient Assyria: A Very Short Introduction* (Oxford, 2015)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Northern Mesopotamia, expanding across the Near East" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Neo-Assyrian period: 911–609 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Capitals: Ashur, Nimrud (Kalhu), Nineveh" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Language: Akkadian (Assyrian dialect), later Aramaic" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 16: "Tiglath-Pileser III (745–727 BCE): Administrative reforms, professional army" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Sargon II (722–705 BCE): Conquered Israel, built Dur-Sharrukin" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Sennacherib (705–681 BCE): Expanded Nineveh, besieged Jerusalem" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Ashurbanipal (668–631 BCE): Created the Library of Nineveh [^1]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Library of Nineveh: ~30,000 cuneiform tablets, preserving Mesopotamian litera..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Advanced siege warfare and military engineering" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Extensive road network and postal system" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "Monumental palace reliefs (Nimrud, Nineveh)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Northern Mesopotamia, expanding across the Near East" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Neo-Assyrian period: 911–609 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Capitals: Ashur, Nimrud (Kalhu), Nineveh" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Language: Akkadian (Assyrian dialect), later Aramaic" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 16: "Tiglath-Pileser III (745–727 BCE): Administrative reforms, professional army" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Sargon II (722–705 BCE): Conquered Israel, built Dur-Sharrukin" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Sennacherib (705–681 BCE): Expanded Nineveh, besieged Jerusalem" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 22: "Library of Nineveh: ~30,000 cuneiform tablets, preserving Mesopotamian litera..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 23: "Advanced siege warfare and military engineering" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 24: "Extensive road network and postal system" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Monumental palace reliefs (Nimrud, Nineveh)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 16: "Tiglath-Pileser III (745–727 BCE): Administrative reforms, professional army" - what does "III" mean in this context?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 17: "Sargon II (722–705 BCE): Conquered Israel, built Dur-Sharrukin" - what does "II" mean in this context?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 19: "Ashurbanipal (668–631 BCE): Created the Library of Nineveh [^1]" - Frahm source from 2011 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/babylonia.md
+++ b/civilizations/babylonia.md
@@ -0,0 +1,111 @@
+<!-- factbase:c1f224 -->
+# Babylonia
+
+# Babylonia
+
+## Overview
+Babylonia was a major Mesopotamian civilization centered on the city of Babylon, with two principal periods of dominance: the Old Babylonian period under Hammurabi (~1792–1750 BCE) and the Neo-Babylonian Empire (626–539 BCE) under Nebuchadnezzar II.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Central-southern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq)
+- Old Babylonian period: ~1894–1595 BCE
+- Neo-Babylonian period: 626–539 BCE
+- Capital: Babylon
+- Language: Akkadian (Babylonian dialect)
+
+## Notable Rulers
+- Hammurabi (~1792–1750 BCE): Unified Mesopotamia, issued the Code of Hammurabi [^1]
+- Nebuchadnezzar II (605–562 BCE): Built the Ishtar Gate, destroyed the Temple of Jerusalem (586 BCE)
+- Nabonidus (556–539 BCE): Last native king, defeated by Cyrus the Great
+
+## Achievements
+- Code of Hammurabi: One of the earliest comprehensive legal codes (~1754 BCE)
+- Advanced astronomy and mathematics (predicted eclipses, developed algebra)
+- Hanging Gardens of Babylon (one of the Seven Wonders, existence debated) [^2]
+- Ishtar Gate and Processional Way
+
+## Decline
+The Neo-Babylonian Empire fell to Cyrus the Great of Persia in 539 BCE.
+
+---
+[^1]: Roth, M.T. *Law Collections from Mesopotamia and Asia Minor* (1997)
+[^2]: Dalley, S. *The Mystery of the Hanging Garden of Babylon* (2013)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Central-southern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Old Babylonian period: ~1894–1595 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Neo-Babylonian period: 626–539 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Capital: Babylon" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Language: Akkadian (Babylonian dialect)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Hammurabi (~1792–1750 BCE): Unified Mesopotamia, issued the Code of Hammura..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Nebuchadnezzar II (605–562 BCE): Built the Ishtar Gate, destroyed the Templ..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Nabonidus (556–539 BCE): Last native king, defeated by Cyrus the Great" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Code of Hammurabi: One of the earliest comprehensive legal codes (~1754 BCE)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Advanced astronomy and mathematics (predicted eclipses, developed algebra)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Hanging Gardens of Babylon (one of the Seven Wonders, existence debated) [^2]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "Ishtar Gate and Processional Way" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Central-southern Mesopotamia (modern Iraq)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Old Babylonian period: ~1894–1595 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Neo-Babylonian period: 626–539 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Capital: Babylon" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Language: Akkadian (Babylonian dialect)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Nebuchadnezzar II (605–562 BCE): Built the Ishtar Gate, destroyed the Templ..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Nabonidus (556–539 BCE): Last native king, defeated by Cyrus the Great" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 22: "Code of Hammurabi: One of the earliest comprehensive legal codes (~1754 BCE)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 23: "Advanced astronomy and mathematics (predicted eclipses, developed algebra)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Ishtar Gate and Processional Way" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 18: "Nebuchadnezzar II (605–562 BCE): Built the Ishtar Gate, destroyed the Templ..." - what does "II" mean in this context?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 17: "Hammurabi (~1792–1750 BCE): Unified Mesopotamia, issued the Code of Hammura..." - Roth source from 1997 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 24: "Hanging Gardens of Babylon (one of the Seven Wonders, existence debated) [^2]" - Dalley source from 2013 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/carthage.md
+++ b/civilizations/carthage.md
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+<!-- factbase:91256b -->
+# Carthage
+
+# Carthage
+
+## Overview
+Carthage (~814–146 BCE) was a Phoenician colony that grew into a major Mediterranean power, rivaling Rome in three devastating Punic Wars before its total destruction.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: North Africa (modern Tunisia), with territories in western Mediterranean
+- Period: ~814–146 BCE
+- Founded by: Phoenician settlers from Tyre, traditionally by Queen Dido
+- Language: Punic (Phoenician dialect)
+- Government: Oligarchic republic with elected *suffetes* (magistrates)
+
+## Punic Wars with Rome
+- First Punic War (264–241 BCE): Fought over Sicily; Rome won naval supremacy [^1]
+- Second Punic War (218–201 BCE): Hannibal's invasion of Italy via the Alps; Rome ultimately prevailed
+- Third Punic War (149–146 BCE): Rome besieged and destroyed Carthage completely
+
+## Achievements
+- Dominant Mediterranean naval and trading power
+- Advanced harbor engineering (circular military harbor at Carthage)
+- Agricultural expertise (Mago's treatise on farming)
+- Hannibal Barca: One of history's greatest military commanders [^2]
+
+## Destruction
+Rome destroyed Carthage in 146 BCE. The site was later refounded as a Roman colony by Julius Caesar in 46 BCE.
+
+---
+[^1]: Goldsworthy, A. *The Fall of Carthage* (2003)
+[^2]: Lancel, S. *Hannibal* (Blackwell, 1998)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: North Africa (modern Tunisia), with territories in western Mediterranean" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~814–146 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Founded by: Phoenician settlers from Tyre, traditionally by Queen Dido" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Language: Punic (Phoenician dialect)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Government: Oligarchic republic with elected *suffetes* (magistrates)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "First Punic War (264–241 BCE): Fought over Sicily; Rome won naval supremacy..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Second Punic War (218–201 BCE): Hannibal's invasion of Italy via the Alps; ..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Third Punic War (149–146 BCE): Rome besieged and destroyed Carthage completely" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Dominant Mediterranean naval and trading power" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Advanced harbor engineering (circular military harbor at Carthage)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Agricultural expertise (Mago's treatise on farming)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "Hannibal Barca: One of history's greatest military commanders [^2]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: North Africa (modern Tunisia), with territories in western Mediterranean" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~814–146 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Founded by: Phoenician settlers from Tyre, traditionally by Queen Dido" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Language: Punic (Phoenician dialect)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Government: Oligarchic republic with elected *suffetes* (magistrates)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Second Punic War (218–201 BCE): Hannibal's invasion of Italy via the Alps; ..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Third Punic War (149–146 BCE): Rome besieged and destroyed Carthage completely" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 22: "Dominant Mediterranean naval and trading power" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 23: "Advanced harbor engineering (circular military harbor at Carthage)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 24: "Agricultural expertise (Mago's treatise on farming)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 17: "First Punic War (264–241 BCE): Fought over Sicily; Rome won naval supremacy..." - Goldsworthy source from 2003 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 25: "Hannibal Barca: One of history's greatest military commanders [^2]" - Lancel source from 1998 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/hittite-empire.md
+++ b/civilizations/hittite-empire.md
@@ -0,0 +1,121 @@
+<!-- factbase:c153d0 -->
+# Hittite Empire
+
+# Hittite Empire
+
+## Overview
+The Hittite Empire (~1600–1178 BCE) was a major Bronze Age power centered in Anatolia (modern Turkey). The Hittites were among the first to work iron and engaged in diplomacy with Egypt, producing the earliest known peace treaty.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Central Anatolia, expanding into Syria and Upper Mesopotamia
+- Period: ~1600–1178 BCE
+- Capital: Hattusa (modern Boğazkale, Turkey)
+- Language: Hittite (earliest attested Indo-European language)
+- Writing: Cuneiform (official), Anatolian hieroglyphs
+
+## Notable Rulers
+- Hattusili I (~1650–1620 BCE): Early expansion
+- Suppiluliuma I (~1344–1322 BCE): Greatest territorial extent
+- Muwatalli II (~1295–1272 BCE): Fought Ramesses II at Kadesh
+- Hattusili III (~1267–1237 BCE): Signed Treaty of Kadesh with Egypt
+
+## Achievements
+- Treaty of Kadesh (~1259 BCE): Earliest known international peace treaty [^1]
+- Early adoption of iron technology
+- Sophisticated legal codes and vassal treaty system
+- Extensive diplomatic correspondence (Amarna Letters)
+
+## Decline
+Collapsed ~1178 BCE during the Bronze Age Collapse, likely due to invasions by the Sea Peoples, internal instability, and disrupted trade networks [^2].
+
+---
+[^1]: Beckman, G. *Hittite Diplomatic Texts* (1999)
+[^2]: Bryce, T. *The Kingdom of the Hittites* (Oxford, 2005)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Central Anatolia, expanding into Syria and Upper Mesopotamia" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~1600–1178 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Capital: Hattusa (modern Boğazkale, Turkey)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Language: Hittite (earliest attested Indo-European language)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Writing: Cuneiform (official), Anatolian hieroglyphs" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Hattusili I (~1650–1620 BCE): Early expansion" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Suppiluliuma I (~1344–1322 BCE): Greatest territorial extent" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Muwatalli II (~1295–1272 BCE): Fought Ramesses II at Kadesh" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "Hattusili III (~1267–1237 BCE): Signed Treaty of Kadesh with Egypt" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Treaty of Kadesh (~1259 BCE): Earliest known international peace treaty [^1]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Early adoption of iron technology" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "Sophisticated legal codes and vassal treaty system" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 26: "Extensive diplomatic correspondence (Amarna Letters)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Central Anatolia, expanding into Syria and Upper Mesopotamia" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~1600–1178 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Capital: Hattusa (modern Boğazkale, Turkey)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Language: Hittite (earliest attested Indo-European language)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Writing: Cuneiform (official), Anatolian hieroglyphs" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Hattusili I (~1650–1620 BCE): Early expansion" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Suppiluliuma I (~1344–1322 BCE): Greatest territorial extent" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Muwatalli II (~1295–1272 BCE): Fought Ramesses II at Kadesh" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Hattusili III (~1267–1237 BCE): Signed Treaty of Kadesh with Egypt" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 24: "Early adoption of iron technology" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Sophisticated legal codes and vassal treaty system" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 26: "Extensive diplomatic correspondence (Amarna Letters)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 19: "Muwatalli II (~1295–1272 BCE): Fought Ramesses II at Kadesh" - what does "II" mean in this context?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 20: "Hattusili III (~1267–1237 BCE): Signed Treaty of Kadesh with Egypt" - what does "III" mean in this context?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 23: "Treaty of Kadesh (~1259 BCE): Earliest known international peace treaty [^1]" - Beckman source from 1999 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/maurya-empire.md
+++ b/civilizations/maurya-empire.md
@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+<!-- factbase:86e2bb -->
+# Maurya Empire
+
+# Maurya Empire
+
+## Overview
+The Maurya Empire (~322–185 BCE) was the first empire to unify most of the Indian subcontinent, founded by Chandragupta Maurya and reaching its greatest extent under Ashoka.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Indian subcontinent, from Afghanistan to Bengal
+- Period: ~322–185 BCE
+- Capital: Pataliputra (modern Patna)
+- Language: Prakrit, Sanskrit
+- Religion: Initially Vedic/Hindu, Buddhism promoted under Ashoka
+
+## Notable Rulers
+- Chandragupta Maurya (~322–298 BCE): Founded the empire, defeated Seleucid forces [^1]
+- Bindusara (~298–272 BCE): Expanded southward
+- Ashoka (~268–232 BCE): Converted to Buddhism after the Kalinga War, erected edicts promoting dharma [^2]
+
+## Achievements
+- Unified most of the Indian subcontinent for the first time
+- Ashoka's edicts: Earliest deciphered Indian inscriptions, promoting non-violence and tolerance
+- *Arthashastra* attributed to Chanakya: Treatise on statecraft and economics
+- Extensive road network and trade connections
+
+## Decline
+Declined after Ashoka's death due to weak successors and regional fragmentation. Last Maurya ruler overthrown by Pushyamitra Shunga ~185 BCE.
+
+---
+[^1]: Thapar, R. *Aśoka and the Decline of the Mauryas* (Oxford, 1961)
+[^2]: Olivelle, P. *Ashoka: Portrait of a Philosopher King* (2023)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Indian subcontinent, from Afghanistan to Bengal" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~322–185 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Capital: Pataliputra (modern Patna)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Language: Prakrit, Sanskrit" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Religion: Initially Vedic/Hindu, Buddhism promoted under Ashoka" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Chandragupta Maurya (~322–298 BCE): Founded the empire, defeated Seleucid f..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Bindusara (~298–272 BCE): Expanded southward" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Ashoka (~268–232 BCE): Converted to Buddhism after the Kalinga War, erected..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Unified most of the Indian subcontinent for the first time" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Ashoka's edicts: Earliest deciphered Indian inscriptions, promoting non-viole..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "*Arthashastra* attributed to Chanakya: Treatise on statecraft and economics" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "Extensive road network and trade connections" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Indian subcontinent, from Afghanistan to Bengal" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~322–185 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Capital: Pataliputra (modern Patna)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Language: Prakrit, Sanskrit" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Religion: Initially Vedic/Hindu, Buddhism promoted under Ashoka" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Bindusara (~298–272 BCE): Expanded southward" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 22: "Unified most of the Indian subcontinent for the first time" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 23: "Ashoka's edicts: Earliest deciphered Indian inscriptions, promoting non-viole..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 24: "*Arthashastra* attributed to Chanakya: Treatise on statecraft and economics" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Extensive road network and trade connections" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 17: "Chandragupta Maurya (~322–298 BCE): Founded the empire, defeated Seleucid f..." - Thapar source from 1961 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 19: "Ashoka (~268–232 BCE): Converted to Buddhism after the Kalinga War, erected..." - Olivelle source from 2023 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/minoan-civilization.md
+++ b/civilizations/minoan-civilization.md
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+<!-- factbase:85231f -->
+# Minoan Civilization
+
+# Minoan Civilization
+
+## Overview
+The Minoan civilization (~3000–1450 BCE) on Crete was the first advanced civilization in Europe, known for elaborate palace complexes, vibrant frescoes, and the undeciphered Linear A script.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Crete and Aegean islands
+- Period: ~3000–1450 BCE
+- Major sites: Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros
+- Writing: Cretan hieroglyphs, Linear A (undeciphered)
+- Named by: Arthur Evans, after the mythical King Minos [^1]
+
+## Achievements
+- Palace complexes at Knossos (up to 1,300 rooms)
+- Advanced plumbing and drainage systems
+- Vibrant fresco art depicting nature, rituals, and bull-leaping
+- Extensive maritime trade network across the eastern Mediterranean
+
+## Decline
+The Minoan civilization declined after ~1450 BCE, possibly due to the Thera eruption (~1628 BCE), Mycenaean invasion, or a combination of factors [^2].
+
+---
+[^1]: Evans, A. *The Palace of Minos at Knossos* (1921–1935)
+[^2]: Driessen, J. & Macdonald, C. *The Troubled Island* (1997)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Crete and Aegean islands" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~3000–1450 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Major sites: Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Writing: Cretan hieroglyphs, Linear A (undeciphered)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Named by: Arthur Evans, after the mythical King Minos [^1]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Palace complexes at Knossos (up to 1,300 rooms)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Advanced plumbing and drainage systems" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Vibrant fresco art depicting nature, rituals, and bull-leaping" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "Extensive maritime trade network across the eastern Mediterranean" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Crete and Aegean islands" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~3000–1450 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Major sites: Knossos, Phaistos, Malia, Zakros" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Writing: Cretan hieroglyphs, Linear A (undeciphered)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Palace complexes at Knossos (up to 1,300 rooms)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Advanced plumbing and drainage systems" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Vibrant fresco art depicting nature, rituals, and bull-leaping" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Extensive maritime trade network across the eastern Mediterranean" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 14: "Named by: Arthur Evans, after the mythical King Minos [^1]" - Evans source from 1921 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/mycenaean-civilization.md
+++ b/civilizations/mycenaean-civilization.md
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+<!-- factbase:229f8a -->
+# Mycenaean Civilization
+
+# Mycenaean Civilization
+
+## Overview
+The Mycenaean civilization (~1600–1100 BCE) was the first major civilization on mainland Greece, known for its warrior culture, palatial centers, and connection to the Homeric epics.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Mainland Greece, Crete (after ~1450 BCE), Aegean islands
+- Period: ~1600–1100 BCE
+- Major sites: Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Thebes, Athens
+- Writing: Linear B (deciphered by Michael Ventris in 1952 as early Greek) [^1]
+- Society: Warrior aristocracy ruled by *wanax* (king)
+
+## Achievements
+- Massive fortifications with Cyclopean masonry
+- Lion Gate at Mycenae (~1250 BCE)
+- Tholos tombs (Treasury of Atreus)
+- Extensive trade networks reaching Egypt, the Levant, and Italy
+- Likely historical basis for the Trojan War tradition [^2]
+
+## Decline
+Collapsed ~1100 BCE during the Bronze Age Collapse, leading to the Greek Dark Ages (~1100–800 BCE). Causes debated: Sea Peoples, internal conflict, systems collapse.
+
+---
+[^1]: Chadwick, J. *The Decipherment of Linear B* (Cambridge, 1958)
+[^2]: Latacz, J. *Troy and Homer* (Oxford, 2004)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Mainland Greece, Crete (after ~1450 BCE), Aegean islands" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~1600–1100 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Major sites: Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Thebes, Athens" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Writing: Linear B (deciphered by Michael Ventris in 1952 as early Greek) [^1]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Society: Warrior aristocracy ruled by *wanax* (king)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Massive fortifications with Cyclopean masonry" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Lion Gate at Mycenae (~1250 BCE)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Tholos tombs (Treasury of Atreus)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "Extensive trade networks reaching Egypt, the Levant, and Italy" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 21: "Likely historical basis for the Trojan War tradition [^2]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Mainland Greece, Crete (after ~1450 BCE), Aegean islands" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~1600–1100 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Major sites: Mycenae, Tiryns, Pylos, Thebes, Athens" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Society: Warrior aristocracy ruled by *wanax* (king)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Massive fortifications with Cyclopean masonry" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Lion Gate at Mycenae (~1250 BCE)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Tholos tombs (Treasury of Atreus)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Extensive trade networks reaching Egypt, the Levant, and Italy" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 13: "Writing: Linear B (deciphered by Michael Ventris in 1952 as early Greek) [^1]" - Chadwick source from 1958 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 21: "Likely historical basis for the Trojan War tradition [^2]" - Latacz source from 2004 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/persian-empire.md
+++ b/civilizations/persian-empire.md
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+<!-- factbase:785e2c -->
+# Persian Empire (Achaemenid)
+
+# Persian Empire (Achaemenid)
+
+## Overview
+The Achaemenid Persian Empire (550–330 BCE) was the largest empire of the ancient world by territory, stretching from Egypt to the Indus Valley. Founded by Cyrus the Great, it pioneered administrative innovations including satrapies, a postal system, and religious tolerance.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Iran, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, Central Asia, Indus Valley
+- Period: 550–330 BCE
+- Capital cities: Pasargadae, Persepolis, Susa, Ecbatana
+- Language: Old Persian (official), Aramaic (administrative lingua franca)
+- Religion: Zoroastrianism (royal religion)
+
+## Notable Rulers
+- Cyrus the Great (559–530 BCE): Founded the empire, conquered Babylon (539 BCE) [^1]
+- Darius I (522–486 BCE): Administrative reforms, built Persepolis, Royal Road
+- Xerxes I (486–465 BCE): Invaded Greece (480 BCE)
+- Darius III (336–330 BCE): Defeated by Alexander the Great
+
+## Achievements
+- Cyrus Cylinder: Early declaration of human rights and religious tolerance [^2]
+- Royal Road: ~2,700 km highway from Susa to Sardis
+- Satrapy system of provincial governance
+- Qanat irrigation technology
+- Persepolis: Monumental ceremonial capital
+
+## Decline
+Conquered by Alexander the Great; Darius III defeated at Gaugamela (331 BCE), Persepolis burned 330 BCE.
+
+---
+[^1]: Briant, P. *From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire* (2002)
+[^2]: Kuhrt, A. "The Cyrus Cylinder and Achaemenid Imperial Policy" *JSOT* 25 (1983)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Iran, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, Central Asia, Indus Valley" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: 550–330 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Capital cities: Pasargadae, Persepolis, Susa, Ecbatana" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Language: Old Persian (official), Aramaic (administrative lingua franca)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Religion: Zoroastrianism (royal religion)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Cyrus the Great (559–530 BCE): Founded the empire, conquered Babylon (539 B..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Darius I (522–486 BCE): Administrative reforms, built Persepolis, Royal Road" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Xerxes I (486–465 BCE): Invaded Greece (480 BCE)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "Darius III (336–330 BCE): Defeated by Alexander the Great" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: "Cyrus Cylinder: Early declaration of human rights and religious tolerance [^2]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Royal Road: ~2,700 km highway from Susa to Sardis" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "Satrapy system of provincial governance" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 26: "Qanat irrigation technology" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 27: "Persepolis: Monumental ceremonial capital" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Iran, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, Central Asia, Indus Valley" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: 550–330 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Capital cities: Pasargadae, Persepolis, Susa, Ecbatana" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Language: Old Persian (official), Aramaic (administrative lingua franca)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Religion: Zoroastrianism (royal religion)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Darius I (522–486 BCE): Administrative reforms, built Persepolis, Royal Road" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Xerxes I (486–465 BCE): Invaded Greece (480 BCE)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Darius III (336–330 BCE): Defeated by Alexander the Great" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 24: "Royal Road: ~2,700 km highway from Susa to Sardis" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Satrapy system of provincial governance" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 26: "Qanat irrigation technology" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 27: "Persepolis: Monumental ceremonial capital" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 20: "Darius III (336–330 BCE): Defeated by Alexander the Great" - what does "III" mean in this context?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 17: "Cyrus the Great (559–530 BCE): Founded the empire, conquered Babylon (539 B..." - Briant source from 2002 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 23: "Cyrus Cylinder: Early declaration of human rights and religious tolerance [^2]" - Kuhrt source from 1983 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/phoenicia.md
+++ b/civilizations/phoenicia.md
@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+<!-- factbase:f760d3 -->
+# Phoenicia
+
+# Phoenicia
+
+## Overview
+Phoenicia (~1500–300 BCE) was a maritime civilization of city-states along the coast of modern Lebanon. The Phoenicians were master sailors and traders who developed the alphabet that became the ancestor of Greek, Latin, and most modern alphabets.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Coastal Lebanon, with colonies across the Mediterranean
+- Period: ~1500–300 BCE
+- Major cities: Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, Berytus (Beirut)
+- Language: Phoenician (Northwest Semitic)
+- Writing: Phoenician alphabet (~1050 BCE), ancestor of Greek and Latin alphabets [^1]
+
+## Achievements
+- Developed the first widely-used phonetic alphabet ~1050 BCE
+- Founded Carthage (~814 BCE) and colonies across the western Mediterranean
+- Pioneered long-distance maritime trade (tin from Britain, gold from West Africa)
+- Produced Tyrian purple dye from murex snails
+- Circumnavigated Africa under commission from Pharaoh Necho II (~600 BCE) [^2]
+
+## Decline
+Phoenician city-states fell under successive foreign rule: Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and finally Macedonian. Tyre was besieged and captured by Alexander the Great in 332 BCE.
+
+---
+[^1]: Markoe, G. *Phoenicians* (University of California Press, 2000)
+[^2]: Herodotus, *Histories* 4.42
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Coastal Lebanon, with colonies across the Mediterranean" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~1500–300 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Major cities: Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, Berytus (Beirut)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Language: Phoenician (Northwest Semitic)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Writing: Phoenician alphabet (~1050 BCE), ancestor of Greek and Latin alphabe..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 17: "Developed the first widely-used phonetic alphabet ~1050 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Founded Carthage (~814 BCE) and colonies across the western Mediterranean" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Pioneered long-distance maritime trade (tin from Britain, gold from West Africa)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "Produced Tyrian purple dye from murex snails" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 21: "Circumnavigated Africa under commission from Pharaoh Necho II (~600 BCE) [^2]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Coastal Lebanon, with colonies across the Mediterranean" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~1500–300 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Major cities: Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, Berytus (Beirut)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Language: Phoenician (Northwest Semitic)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 17: "Developed the first widely-used phonetic alphabet ~1050 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Founded Carthage (~814 BCE) and colonies across the western Mediterranean" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Pioneered long-distance maritime trade (tin from Britain, gold from West Africa)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Produced Tyrian purple dye from murex snails" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[ambiguous]` Line 21: "Circumnavigated Africa under commission from Pharaoh Necho II (~600 BCE) [^2]" - what does "II" mean in this context?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 14: "Writing: Phoenician alphabet (~1050 BCE), ancestor of Greek and Latin alphabe..." - Markoe source from 2000 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/roman-republic-and-empire.md
+++ b/civilizations/roman-republic-and-empire.md
@@ -0,0 +1,139 @@
+<!-- factbase:c00c4a -->
+# Roman Republic and Empire
+
+# Roman Republic and Empire
+
+## Overview
+Rome evolved from a small Italian city-state to a republic (509–27 BCE) and then an empire (27 BCE – 476 CE in the West) that dominated the Mediterranean world. Roman law, engineering, and governance profoundly shaped Western civilization.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Mediterranean basin, Western Europe, North Africa, Near East
+- Kingdom: ~753–509 BCE
+- Republic: 509–27 BCE
+- Empire: 27 BCE – 476 CE (Western), continued as Byzantine Empire in the East
+- Capital: Rome; later Constantinople (from 330 CE)
+- Language: Latin
+- Writing: Latin alphabet
+
+## Major Periods
+- Roman Kingdom (~753–509 BCE): Legendary founding by Romulus
+- Early Republic (509–264 BCE): Expansion in Italy, Conflict of the Orders
+- Late Republic (264–27 BCE): Punic Wars, civil wars, Caesar's assassination (44 BCE)
+- Principate (27 BCE – 284 CE): Augustus through the Crisis of the Third Century
+- Dominate (284–476 CE): Diocletian's reforms through the fall of the Western Empire @t[=476]
+
+## Achievements
+- Roman law: Foundation of Western legal tradition [^1]
+- Engineering: Aqueducts, roads (~400,000 km network), concrete, the Colosseum
+- Pax Romana (~27 BCE – 180 CE): ~200 years of relative peace and prosperity
+- Latin language and literature: Virgil, Ovid, Cicero, Tacitus
+
+## Fall of the Western Empire
+The Western Roman Empire fell in 476 CE when Odoacer deposed Emperor Romulus Augustulus @t[=476]. Contributing factors included barbarian invasions, economic decline, military overextension, and administrative fragmentation [^2].
+
+---
+[^1]: Jolowicz, H.F. *Historical Introduction to the Study of Roman Law* (Cambridge, 1972)
+[^2]: Heather, P. *The Fall of the Roman Empire* (Oxford, 2006)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Mediterranean basin, Western Europe, North Africa, Near East" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Kingdom: ~753–509 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Republic: 509–27 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Empire: 27 BCE – 476 CE (Western), continued as Byzantine Empire in the East" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Capital: Rome; later Constantinople (from 330 CE)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 15: "Language: Latin" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 16: "Writing: Latin alphabet" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Roman Kingdom (~753–509 BCE): Legendary founding by Romulus" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "Early Republic (509–264 BCE): Expansion in Italy, Conflict of the Orders" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 21: "Late Republic (264–27 BCE): Punic Wars, civil wars, Caesar's assassination ..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 22: "Principate (27 BCE – 284 CE): Augustus through the Crisis of the Third Century" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 26: "Roman law: Foundation of Western legal tradition [^1]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 27: "Engineering: Aqueducts, roads (~400,000 km network), concrete, the Colosseum" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 28: "Pax Romana (~27 BCE – 180 CE): ~200 years of relative peace and prosperity" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 29: "Latin language and literature: Virgil, Ovid, Cicero, Tacitus" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 23: Malformed temporal tag @t[=476] — see docs for valid syntax
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 32: Malformed temporal tag @t[=476] — see docs for valid syntax
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Mediterranean basin, Western Europe, North Africa, Near East" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Kingdom: ~753–509 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Republic: 509–27 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Empire: 27 BCE – 476 CE (Western), continued as Byzantine Empire in the East" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Capital: Rome; later Constantinople (from 330 CE)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 15: "Language: Latin" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 16: "Writing: Latin alphabet" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Roman Kingdom (~753–509 BCE): Legendary founding by Romulus" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Early Republic (509–264 BCE): Expansion in Italy, Conflict of the Orders" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 21: "Late Republic (264–27 BCE): Punic Wars, civil wars, Caesar's assassination ..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 22: "Principate (27 BCE – 284 CE): Augustus through the Crisis of the Third Century" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 23: "Dominate (284–476 CE): Diocletian's reforms through the fall of the Western..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 27: "Engineering: Aqueducts, roads (~400,000 km network), concrete, the Colosseum" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 28: "Pax Romana (~27 BCE – 180 CE): ~200 years of relative peace and prosperity" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 29: "Latin language and literature: Virgil, Ovid, Cicero, Tacitus" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 26: "Roman law: Foundation of Western legal tradition [^1]" - Jolowicz source from 1972 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
--- a/civilizations/sumer.md
+++ b/civilizations/sumer.md
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+<!-- factbase:6d7974 -->
+# Sumer
+
+# Sumer
+
+## Overview
+Sumer was the earliest known civilization in southern Mesopotamia (modern-day southern Iraq), emerging ~4500 BCE and flourishing during the 3rd millennium BCE. It is credited with foundational innovations including writing (cuneiform), urbanization, and codified law.
+
+## Key Facts
+- Region: Southern Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers
+- Period: ~4500–1900 BCE
+- Major cities: Ur, Uruk, Eridu, Lagash, Nippur, Kish
+- Language: Sumerian (language isolate)
+- Writing system: Cuneiform, developed ~3400 BCE
+- Government: City-states ruled by *lugal* (kings) and *ensi* (governors)
+
+## Major Periods
+- Ubaid period (~5500–4000 BCE): Proto-urban settlements
+- Uruk period (~4000–3100 BCE): First true cities, invention of writing
+- Early Dynastic period (~2900–2350 BCE): Competing city-states
+- Third Dynasty of Ur (~2112–2004 BCE): Final Sumerian renaissance under Ur-Nammu
+
+## Achievements
+- Invented cuneiform writing ~3400 BCE [^1]
+- Built ziggurats as temple complexes
+- Developed the sexagesimal (base-60) number system
+- Created the earliest known legal code (Code of Ur-Nammu, ~2100 BCE)
+- Established irrigation agriculture at scale
+- Produced the *Epic of Gilgamesh*, among the earliest literary works [^2]
+
+## Decline
+Sumer was absorbed by the Akkadian Empire under Sargon of Akkad ~2334 BCE, briefly revived under the Third Dynasty of Ur, and finally eclipsed by the rise of Babylon ~1900 BCE.
+
+---
+[^1]: Schmandt-Besserat, D. *Before Writing* (1992)
+[^2]: George, A. *The Epic of Gilgamesh* (Penguin Classics, 2003)
+---
+
+## Review Queue
+
+<!-- factbase:review -->
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 10: "Region: Southern Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 11: "Period: ~4500–1900 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 12: "Major cities: Ur, Uruk, Eridu, Lagash, Nippur, Kish" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 13: "Language: Sumerian (language isolate)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 14: "Writing system: Cuneiform, developed ~3400 BCE" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 15: "Government: City-states ruled by *lugal* (kings) and *ensi* (governors)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 18: "Ubaid period (~5500–4000 BCE): Proto-urban settlements" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 19: "Uruk period (~4000–3100 BCE): First true cities, invention of writing" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 20: "Early Dynastic period (~2900–2350 BCE): Competing city-states" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 21: "Third Dynasty of Ur (~2112–2004 BCE): Final Sumerian renaissance under Ur-N..." - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 24: "Invented cuneiform writing ~3400 BCE [^1]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 25: "Built ziggurats as temple complexes" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 26: "Developed the sexagesimal (base-60) number system" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 27: "Created the earliest known legal code (Code of Ur-Nammu, ~2100 BCE)" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 28: "Established irrigation agriculture at scale" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[temporal]` Line 29: "Produced the *Epic of Gilgamesh*, among the earliest literary works [^2]" - when was this true?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 10: "Region: Southern Mesopotamia, between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 11: "Period: ~4500–1900 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 12: "Major cities: Ur, Uruk, Eridu, Lagash, Nippur, Kish" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 13: "Language: Sumerian (language isolate)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 14: "Writing system: Cuneiform, developed ~3400 BCE" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 15: "Government: City-states ruled by *lugal* (kings) and *ensi* (governors)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 18: "Ubaid period (~5500–4000 BCE): Proto-urban settlements" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 19: "Uruk period (~4000–3100 BCE): First true cities, invention of writing" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 20: "Early Dynastic period (~2900–2350 BCE): Competing city-states" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 21: "Third Dynasty of Ur (~2112–2004 BCE): Final Sumerian renaissance under Ur-N..." - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 25: "Built ziggurats as temple complexes" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 26: "Developed the sexagesimal (base-60) number system" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 27: "Created the earliest known legal code (Code of Ur-Nammu, ~2100 BCE)" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[missing]` Line 28: "Established irrigation agriculture at scale" - what is the source?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 24: "Invented cuneiform writing ~3400 BCE [^1]" - Schmandt-Besserat source from 1992 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  > 
+
+- [ ] `@q[stale]` Line 29: "Produced the *Epic of Gilgamesh*, among the earliest literary works [^2]" - George source from 2003 may be outdated, is this still accurate?
+  >