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Period: 1000 BCE to 500 BCE
The Formation of The Greek City States
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776 BCE
The First Ancient Olympic Games
The first Ancient Olympic Games were originally held as part of a religious festival to honor the Greek God Zeus in Olympia. -
750 BCE
Invention of Greek alphabet
The Greeks first came up with an alphabet in 750 BC when they adopted the phoenician system. -
750 BCE
Greek colonies established in Southern Italy & Sicily
In 750 BC the Ancient Greeks established settlements in Sicily and the Italian Peninsula. -
743 BCE
Sparta invades Messenia
The first Messenian War began in 743 BC when an incident caused them to settle their rivalry on the battlefield. -
Period: 730 BCE to 710 BCE
First Messenian War
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725 BCE
Sparta creates a military centred city state
Sparta decides to create a large land based army in 725 BC to stop other empires from invading it. -
725 BCE
Athens creates a strong water based military
Athens decided in 725 BC to start creating a strong water based military to protect its empire and islands of the Mediterranean Sea. -
720 BCE
Athenians start up mandatory military school
Athens decides to start mandatory military school for its people so that they can be better prepared for war. -
685 BCE
Sparta invades Messenia again
The second Messenian War began in 685 BC when a slave rebellion started in Messenia. -
Period: 640 BCE to 630 BCE
Second Messenian War
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594 BCE
Solon replaces the Draconian Law in Athens
In 594 BC the Draconian Law was replaced in Athens in favour of Solon law that paved the way for democracy in Athens. -
507 BCE
Introduction of Democracy in Athens
After Draconian Law was replaced and Solon Law was introduced in Athens democracy was slowly introduced in Athens via political reforms called ''rule by the people''. -
Period: 500 BCE to 490 BCE
Athens sends aid to help the Spartans fight the Persians
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499 BCE
Ionian Revolt
During the Persian War, the Ionians under Perisain rule rose up in rebellion to become free. -
Period: 497 BCE to 479 BCE
Persian Wars
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494 BCE
Ionian Revolt defeated by Persians
After 5 years the Persians finaly defeated the Ionian Revolt when the city of Miletus was captured -
490 BCE
Battle of Marathon
The Battle of Marathon took place in 490 BC during the 1st Persian Invasion of Greece. It was fought by the citizens of Athens and the Persian army. -
483 BCE
Athens begin building naval fleet
In an effort to keep the Persians out of Greece Athens decided to build a new powerful fleet to defeat Persia at sea. -
480 BCE
Battle of Thermopylae
During the second Persian invasion of Greece, the Persian and Greek armies met at Thermopylae. The battle lasted for 3 days and resulted in a Persian victory resulting in the Persians gaining control of Boeotia. -
480 BCE
Persians burn the Acropolis
In 480 BC the Persians burned the city of Marathon to the ground as well as the temple of Acropolis. -
480 BCE
Athens and allies defeat Persian fleet at naval battle of Salamis
Athens new fleet, as well as the other Greek states fleets, took on the Persian fleet. The battle ended up in a massive victory for Athens and its Allies. -
Period: 480 BCE to 476 BCE
Victory at the island of Salimis
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479 BCE
Battle of Plataea
The battle of Plataea was the last land battle in the Persian invasion of Greece. It took place in near the city of Plataea in Boeotia resulting in a Greek victory. -
477 BCE
Delian League created and lead by Athens
The Delain League was founded in 477 BC to protect the members from Persia in the east. This alliance would evolve into the Athenic Empire -
Period: 475 BCE to 430 BCE
Delian League led by Athens
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465 BCE
Revolt against Sparta in Messenia
The Meessians tried to rise up again during 465 BC to become free of Spartan rule. -
461 BCE
Start of the Peloponnesian War (1st stage)
After decades of increasing rivialy hostilities broke out between the Delian Leauge and the new Peloponnesian League in 461 BC due to Sparta's growing worries of Athens growing power. -
Period: 461 BCE to 429 BCE
Building of the Parthenon
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Period: 460 BCE to 429 BCE
Athens Golden Era
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454 BCE
Delian league treasury moved from Delos to Athens
In 454 BC still during the Peloponnesian War Athens decided to move the tresury of the Delian League from Delos to Athens. -
446 BCE
Thirty-year peace treaty signed between Athens and Sparta
The 30 years peace treaty was signed in 446 BC. It bought an end to hostilities between the Delian League and the Peloponnesian League ended. This also ended the first stage of the war. -
431 BCE
Peloponnesian War resumes (2nd stage)
Only 15 years after the 30 years peace treaty hostilities broke out again between the Spartans and Athenians. This action violated the terms of the 30 years peace treaty. -
430 BCE
Plague epidemic in Athens
During the second stage of the Peloponnesian War, a plague spread through Athens causing death and widespread illness. The Spartans didn't dare attack as they feared their army would die. -
421 BCE
Peace of Nicias
After years of fighting both Athens and Sparta were exhausted of fighting and agreed to a peace that effectively ended the second stage of the Peloponnesian War. -
Period: 420 BCE to 410 BCE
The construction of the temple of Athena Nike
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418 BCE
Peloponnesian War resumes again
After the peace of Nicia, both Athens and Sparta temporarily stopped fighting although 3 years later hostilities broke out ended any hopes of lasting peace. -
418 BCE
Spartans defeat Athens at Mantinea
Not long after hostilities broke out between Sparta and Athens there was a major engagement between Sparta and Athens at Manitiea. The battle ended up being won by the Spartans. -
404 BCE
Athens surrenders to Sparta
After decades of fighting Sparta finally defeated Athens and the Delian League. Although the Spartans won neither side never ended up fully recovering from the war. -
403 BCE
Democracy restored in Athens
After Athens surrendered to Sparta in 404 BC Athens was under the rule of tyrants. After being under their rule for a year democracy was restored in Athens. -
395 BCE
Corinthian War begins
During the Spartan-Persian War, the Spartans ended up fighting an alliance of Thebes, Corinth Argos, and Athens. Because this war occurred at the same time as the Persian-Spartan War it made it difficult to win. -
387 BCE
Corinthian War ends
After 7 years of fighting Sparta finally defeated Conrith and its allies. Although much like the Peloponnesian Wars Sparta was weakened and its maritime empire ruined. -
384 BCE
Aristotle is born
After the Corinthian War Artisole was born. He was an important philospher and scientist. -
371 BCE
Sparta defeated in Leuctra
The battle of Leuctra was fought between the Spartans and Boeotians lead by Thebans. -
359 BCE
Philip II, becomes King of Macedonia
In 359 BC Philip II becomes King of Macedonia. Although he would be eventualy assasinated in 336 BC. -
338 BCE
Macedonian army defeats Athens and its allies at Chaeronea
As part of the Macedonian conquest of Greece the Battle of Chaeronea was fought between Athens and Thebes vs Macedonia. The battle resulted in a decisive Macedonian victory effectively ending the war. -
338 BCE
League of Corinth founded
The League of Corinth was founded in 338 BC. This league was created by Philip II of Macedonia as a federation of Greek States. -
336 BCE
Phillip II Assassinated.
After Macedonias conquest of Greece and Byzantium Philip II was assasinated. Philips death resulteed in Alexander the Great taking control of Macedonia. -
336 BCE
Alexander The Great becomes King of Macedonia
After Phillips death in 336 BC Alexander the Great became king of Macedonia. -
334 BCE
Alexander the Great defeats Persian army at Granicus river in Anatolia
After Alexander took control of Macedonia he began his great conquest of Asia, Europe and the Middle East. -
333 BCE
Alexander the Great defeats Persians at Issus
After beating the Persians at the Granicus river Alexander continued to defeat the Persians with superior tactics. -
332 BCE
Tyre capitulates to Alexander after siege
After defeating the Persians at Issus Alexander besieged Tyre. After being besiged type finally cupitulates to Alexander. -
331 BCE
Alexander invades Egypt
After defeating the Persians Alexander begins his next conquest. Alexander decides to invade Egypt before marching towards Afganistan. -
331 BCE
City of Alexander founded in Egypt
After successfully conquering Egypt Alexander founds the city of Alexandria to celebrate Macedonia and Alexander -
331 BCE
Alexander defeats Persians at Gaugamela
After beating Egypt Alexander continues to fight the Persians. Alexander eventually meets the Persian army at Gaugamela -
329 BCE
Alexander's army reaches Bactria (Afghanistan)
Alexander continues his march towards India. In 329 Bc Alexanders army reaches Bactria (Afganistan). -
327 BCE
Alexander marries Roxane (princess of Bactria)
Alexander then marries princess Roxane of Bactria before marching towards India. -
326 BCE
Alexander's army reaches India
After leaving Bactria (Afganistan) Alexander army enters India to begin more conquests. -
323 BCE
Death of Alexander the Great
After bringing greatness to Macedonia Alexander the great died after suffering from a fever in Iraq. His empire was then carved up by his generals and the empire dismatled. -
322 BCE
Aristotle dies
Ater being a very successful philosopher and scientist Artisole dies of old age. -
280 BCE
Achaean League founded
After cities in the Achaean region in Greece united into one league. Over the next few years, various other cities in the area joined. Although in 521 BC Sicyon, a city outside the region joined to make the league not just Achaean. -
279 BCE
Invasion of Greece by Gauls
The Gauls invaded Greece in 279 BC. They committed many atrocities. The Greeks united and fought together to stop the invaders from destroying them all. -
238 BCE
Gauls defeated by King Attalus I
After the Gauls continuously tried to destroy them the Greeks finally managed to defeat them and drive them out of Greece. -
214 BCE
First Macedonian War
When Macedonia made alliances with Roman enemies and attacked the Roman puppet of Illyria it started war. Macedonia had it easier because Rome was preoccupied with Carthage. -
204 BCE
Romans defeat the Macedonians
On rather light terms Rome beat Macedonia and even allowed Macedonia to keep Illyria and its navy. -
200 BCE
Second Macedonian War
After Philip allied to other Greek city states and didn't guarantee that it wasn't going to attack Rome the Roman senate voted in favor of a war. -
196 BCE
End of the Second Macedonian War
After Macedonia and its allies were defeated a Cynoscephalae in 197 BC Macedonia surrendered. It ended up losing all territory outside Macedonia. It also meant that Macedonia had to pay money to Rome and lose its navy. -
172 BCE
Third Macedonian War
Macedonia then made more alliances with other states at the displeasure of Rome which ended up causing the Third Macedonian War. -
167 BCE
Macedonia divided into four republics
After the Third Macedonian War ended in 168 BC Rome split Macedonia into 4 puppets. -
167 BCE
Lucius Aemelius Paulus of Rome defeats Perseus of Macedon at Pydna.
After fighting Rome for 3 years, the Roman army, and the Macedonian army met at Pydna were Macedonia was easily defeated ending the war. -
146 BCE
Roman Invasion of Greece
After having invaded and dealt with Macedonia Rome then turned its eye on Greece. -
130 BCE
Rome rules Greece henceforth
After having dismantled the Archaean League and successfully invading Macedonia and Greece Rome now ruled the Greek Peninsula. -
130 BCE
Mummius Achaicus sacks Corinth and dissolves the Achaean league.
After a sucessful Roman invasion of Greece Rome decides to dissolve the Achaean League. -
86 BCE
Romans led by Sulla sack Athens
The Romans then deal with the last ancient Greek city state Athens. In 86 BC Rome lead by Sulla attacked Athens the last empire of Greece. -
31 BCE
Battle of Actium
During the Roman Civil War, 2 fleets met off the west coast of Greece. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for Octavian. -
30 BCE
Death of Cleopatra
Towards the end of the Roman Civil War Cleopatra committed suicide rather than to fall under Octavian's rule. -
30 BCE
End of Ancient Greece
After the end of the Roman Civil War and the death of Cleopatra and the Roman Republic.
