Ancient Greece

By kelseyy_smiith
  • Period: 6000 BCE to 2900 BCE

    Neolithic Period

    It was during the Neolithic Period that agriculture was first developed, and the men of Greece in this time were thought to be the first real farmers. Those living in this time had very simple and non-complex lifestyle. It is unclear exactly when this period started though due to lack of artifacts.
  • Period: 2900 BCE to 1500 BCE

    Bronze Age

    The Bronze Age came after the Neolithic Age, and has been named so because it was the time when metals such as bronze were first introduced, and started to replace stone. Bronze was then used for things like tools and every day utensils
  • Period: 1575 BCE to 1000 BCE

    Mycenaean Civilisation

    Stemming from Minoan Civilization, the Mycenaean Civilization was found throughout Greece and controlled many areas of it. The areas it controlled also included some islands, such as the island of Crete and many other islands of the Aegean Sea. But it wasn’t until the end of the Bronze Age that they flourished.
  • Period: 1240 BCE to 1250 BCE

    The Trojan War

    This 10 year War between the Greeks and the Trojans started when Helen, the wife of King Menelaus, was taken by Paris of Troy. Menelaus and his brother Agamemnon rallied thousands of Greek soldiers and sailed to Troy. They only won the war though because the famous hero Odysseus devised a plan to build a giant wooden horse and give it to the Trojans as “peace offering” but in actual fact, were hiding inside of it, meaning they then sacked the city from the inside.
  • Period: 1100 BCE to 750 BCE

    The Dark Age

    During the Dark Ages there were many civil wars and a great loss of Greek culture. This was also the time when the Dorian tribes invaded and took over the Mycenaean Civilization
  • Period: 800 BCE to 700 BCE

    Homer

    It is unclear when exactly Homer was born and died, but he is thought to have existed approximately 400 years after the Trojan War. Homer was a famous bard, although it is debated whether he actually existed or not. He is praised for his well-known epic poems such as The Iliad and The Odyssey.
  • Period: 776 BCE to 393 BCE

    Olympic Games

    The Ancient Olympic Games are what inspired todays Modern Day Olympics, but were just participated in by the Greek-speaking males and witnessed by the other men and the unmarried women. They were held in Olympia every 4 years to honor the God Zeus.
  • 700 BCE

    The Origins of Theatre

    The Origins of Theatre
    Theatre began in Athens when people would hold festivals in honor of the Gods. The Greeks treasured the influence and effect of oral texts, and their ability to perform and be heard by everyone in their specially made amphitheaters was greatly valued. It wasn’t until 532 BCE when the plays and shows put on began to involve one of the now well-known aspects of theatre, which as tragedy. This was the only style they had, until 490 BCE when Comedy came in.
  • Period: 700 BCE to 500 BCE

    The Archaic Period

    This was a period in time that was quite successful in relations to trade and change of Greek culture. This includes the Greeks art and language, as well as their society and political changes.
  • Period: 700 BCE to 601 BCE

    Draco (When he flourished)

    Draco was the first elected lawgiver, and is mostly remembered by his harsh and cruel laws. Little is known about him as a person, but the laws he created are very well known. He was quite unfavorable when it came to the poorer people of society and was very ruthless in his punishment for any crime committed.
  • Period: 630 BCE to 560 BCE

    Solon

    Elected about 10 years after Draco, Solon was also a lawmaker, but he worked to reform Draco’s previous ruthlessness. He freed and paid the debt of all the poor people and lessened the punishment. He also created the base of a legal system that is still used today, introducing things like the jury and council. After he made his laws he went abroad as to not get hassled by the tyrants.
  • Period: 608 BCE to 527 BCE

    Pisistratus

    Although a tyrant, Pisistratus was one of the most successful leaders of his time. He unified all of Athens and made it more of a city rather than separate areas that always come into strife with each other. He was exiled twice while he reigned, but still managed to go down as one of the best leaders.
  • Period: 570 BCE to 508 BCE

    Cleisthenes

    Cleisthenes was thought to be the “father of Athenian democracy” as he was the one who first introduced it. Although exiled and called back during his time of power, he managed to change the views on identity and society. He was also praised for the beginning of the random citizens involvement in administrative positions
  • Period: 550 BCE to 486 BCE

    Darius

    Darius was the King of Persia for almost 35 years. Under his rule, Persia was kept strong and due to expansion became the largest empire in the world. He also encouraged many cultural and artistic pursuits.
  • Period: 540 BCE to 480 BCE

    Leonidas

    Everything known about this Spartan King is derived from the historian Herodotus. During the Battle of Thermopylae against Persia, King Leonidas sent home many of his men because he knew they would not win the battle. He and only 300 of his men remained and fought to their deaths. This is the most remembered and praised thing about King Leonidas.
  • Period: 524 BCE to 460 BCE

    Themistocles

    Themistocles was a praised politician and war hero. During the Battle of Salamis against the Persians, he was the one who fought for his fleet and lead them to victory. He was elected as the Archon of Athens in 493 BCE
  • 508 BCE

    Isagoras Seizes Power

    Isagoras Seizes Power
    Isagoras was the rival of Cleisthenes, and with the help of his old friend, the Spartan King, he overthrew Cleisthenes and was the reason he was exiled. He remained in power for a short period of time until her was in turn overthrown and run out of the city by the return of Cleisthenes and his supporters.
  • Period: 495 BCE to 429 BCE

    Pericles

    After the Peloponnesian War, Pericles managed to save money to help rebuild Athens, with one of his greatest contributions being the Parthenon, which sits upon the Acropolis. He remained head of Athens until his death and passed laws on many other significant areas, such as the poor peoples abilities to do every day things.
  • Period: 486 BCE to 465 BCE

    Xerxes (Ruled)

    Xerxes was the son of Darius and was famous for his battles. One of his more well known one was the destruction of Babylon in 485 BCE.
  • 479 BCE

    Mardonius (Died)

    Mardonius (Died)
    Mardonius’ birth date is unknown, but it is known that he died in 479 BCE whilst in battle. He was a Persian military commander and was the one responsible for encouraging the King to attack the Greek, though his plans were unsuccessful.
  • Period: 477 BCE to 404 BCE

    Delian League

    The Delian League was the alliance between the Greek city-states, which was la by Athens. This league allowed all of Greece to defend itself better after they had fallen under Persian power. The League crumbled after the Peloponnesian War, but had previously had conflict due to Athens use of it for their own purposes.
  • 411 BCE

    Revolution in Athens

    Revolution in Athens
    During the Peloponnesian War a revolution took place between Sparta and Athens. The Athenian Coup defeated the democratic government and replaced it with a short-lived oligarchy.