The Bronze Age in the Near East is divided into the Early Bronze Age (circa. 3500 - 2000 B.C.); the Middle Bronze Age (circa.2000 - 1600 B.C.) and the Late Bronze Age (circa.1600 - 1200 B.C.). The Early Bronze Age saw the rise of urbanization into organised city states and the invention of writing. In the Middle Bronze Age movements of people partially changed the political pattern of the Near East (Amorites, Hittites, Hurrians, Hyksos and possibly the Israelites). The Late Bronze Age is characterized by competing powerful kingdoms and their vassal states (Ancient Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Hittites, Mitanni).