There was a 1.8 million-year 'Mediterranean history' until Odysseus sailed.

Over 180,000 years ago, the Mediterranean Sea had a rich history that connected the continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa. This epic journey began long before the Trojan War, which featured the legendary hero Odysseus. The epic tale of Odysseus involved traveling through the Mediterranean and the greater Mediterranean Sea, encountering various islands and coastlines, and experiencing both hospitality and tragedy.

This history of the Mediterranean Sea began around 4000-3000 BCE when ancient civilizations, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece, actively engaged in cultural exchange. The Mediterranean Sea evolved into a world-famous passage for civilizations, connecting the three continents. Over the centuries, the Mediterranean transformed from a vast, inhospitable body of water to a thriving hub of cultural and economic exchange.

The process of creating the Mediterranean world began around 180,000 years ago when the Sahara Desert met with Europe and the Middle East, resulting in the formation of the Mediterranean Sea. This transformation, known as the "Messinian Salinity Crisis," created a large saltwater lake that later became the Mediterranean Sea. Ancient humans, such as Homo erectus, began migrating between Africa and Europe around 600,000 years ago, eventually spreading across the northern part of the Mediterranean Sea.

The rich archaeological evidence from this period, including stone tools and ancient human remains, confirms that Homo sapiens had established settlements in the Mediterranean region by 180,000 years ago. As climate change led to the end of the last ice age around 11,700 years ago, the Mediterranean Sea experienced significant changes, creating numerous islands and providing rich marine resources.

These conditions fostered the development of early agricultural communities, the domestication of animals, and the growth of permanent settlements along the Mediterranean coast.

Over time, the Mediterranean Sea became an important route for trade, cultural exchange, and the spread of knowledge and technology. This interconnected network of land and sea routes played a crucial role in the development of various civilizations, such as ancient Egypt, Greece, and Mesopotamia. The Mediterranean Sea thus emerged as a significant factor in shaping human history, connecting diverse regions and peoples in a shared history of cooperation and conflict.