An Age of Greek and Persian Power

Cyrus the Great revolts against Medes rulers

550 BCE

This event was important because it was the first change for the Persian Kingdom since 1500 BCE, and marked the start of a huge, influential empire that had several significances in world history, with its cultural diversity, influence on modern religion, and science and technology regarding irrigation and calendars.

Persian Empire

Period: 550 BCE to 330 BCE

Fall of Babylonia to Persians

539 BCE

This was very important because it demonstrated the power of the Persian Empire and it allowed for the independence of Mesopotamians and their important culture from Babylonians. This also showed that Cyrus was a very fair ruler, making his empire stronger.

Xerxes defeated at Battle of Salamis

480 BCE

Rise of the Delian League

Period: 478 BCE to 454 BCE

This is important because the Delian League was one of the main reasons Athens was able to acquire so much power- as the leader o the group that ruled 104 city-states, they could use others' cooperation to gain political advantages.

Start of Peloponnesian Wars with Sparta

460 BCE

Very important because it was responsible for the downfall of Greece, which was a huge political power in Greece at the time

Athens takes over Delian League to control 172 cities

454 BCE

Athenian Empire

Period: 454 BCE to 404 BCE

Sparta defeats Athens

404 BCE

Phillip II (Alexander's father) becomes king of Macedonia

358 BCE

This was very important because he set the stage for his son, Alexander, because him becoming king allowed Phillip to establish a military and conquer several Greek city-states, giving Alexander the needed foundation for continuing this conquering and create one of the most famous empires in history.

Fall of the Persian Empire to Alexander the Great

334 BCE

Alexander reaches Egypt

331 BCE

Alexander the Great's Empire

Period: 330 BCE to 323 BCE

Alexander conquers Indus Valley

325 BCE

This was important as it marked the edge of Alexander's empire. After conquering the Indus, his troops refused to push forward, so therefore, Alexander had to stop conquering and return home, wherever that was.

Alexander the Great dies

323 BCE

This marked a definite end for Alexander's empire, as on his deathbed he claimed his empire would go "to the strongest." The controversy surrounding this statement started a series of wars for his empire.

Ptolemaic Empire

Period: 323 BCE to 30 BCE

Seleucids conquer Babylon

312 BCE

Seleucid Empire

Period: 312 BCE to 64

Seleucus Moves Army into Indus Valley

305 BCE

This was important because it gave the Seleucid Empire a huge advantage by creating an alliance with the immensely powerful Mauryan India. It definitely was important in the growth of the empire

(APPROXIMATE DATE) End of civil wars after Alexander's death, Ptolemy gains victory of Egypt

270 BCE

This was extremely important because it poured Greek influence into Egypt. Not only was it a follow-up to Alexander the Great's empire, but it was also the creation of a strong Hellenized society.

Struggle of Ptolemaic Empire with Seleucids

217 BCE

This marked a major point of decline for the Ptolemaic Empire, since it caused a huge financial problem because the empire didn't have enough money for the military. The event also led to a decrease in trusts peasants had in the empire's leaders.

Defeat of Seleucid Antiochus III in Greece

190 BCE

This was very important because it started the decline of the Seleucid Empire, as superior Roman forces in Thrace were able to destroy Antiochus's army.

Upper Egypt breaks away to Nubian pharos

186 BCE

Romans conquer the small remaining portion of the Seleucid Empire

64 BCE

Octavian (Rome) seizes Egypt from Ptolemies

30 BCE