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100
Minoans develop civilization on Crete
The Minoans were a civilaztion in the Bronze Age that was founded around the 36th century B.C. and survived until about the 15th Century B.C. on the island of Crete. -
200
Trojan War
The Trojan War occured after Paris of Troy kidnapped Helen of Sparta. King Menelaus was outraged and attacked Troy with allies such as Odysseus and Achilles. This war is said to have occured at around 1260 B.C. -
300
Homer and his epics.
Around 800 B.C. Homer was said to be born. Homer wrote the Iliad first followed by the Odyssey between 800 and 700 B.C.
He then died around 700 B.C. -
400
Draco in Athens
Around 624 B.C. Draco was given the authority of making and writing down laws publicly by the Athenians. It was given to him to abolish the exclusive write of the aristocratic families who incorrectly interpreted and applied laws. The majority of Draco's laws focused on the penalties for murder and similar crimes. These punishments were often very harsh. -
500
Solon in Athens
Solon was the ruler of Athens around 600 B.C. He led the Athenians to succesfully re-conquer Salamis which before was in Megarean hands. Once back from the conquest he was elected archon and appointed to the position of diallaktes. As part of his power he enacted constitutional, civil, and family laws. -
550
Sparta dominates Messinians
It is commonly believed that the Spartans defeated the Messenians around 660 B.C. The suspected reasons for this were that Messenia had a lot of fertile land that Sparta wanted for themselves and that Sparta may have feared the Messenians because of their wealth and influence in other cities. -
Jan 1, 600
Cleisthenes
Cleisthenes was an Athenian Noble credited with reforming the Athenian Constitution and starting the Greek democracy. With aid form the Spartans and the Alcmeonidate clan he overthrew Hippias, the son of the tyrant Peisistratos. -
Jan 1, 700
Persians conquer Anatolia
Around 500-448 B.C. ancient Persia took great advantage of the seperation among the Greek city-states and invaded Anatolia which is modern day Turkey. This caused the rest of the city-states to unite in an attempt to push back the Persian Empire. -
Jan 1, 710
Persians at Marathon
The Battle of Marathon was an important victory for the Athenians in the Persian War. It is said to have happened in the fall of 490 B.C. The Athenians won against the Persians by encircling them. -
Jan 1, 720
Thermopylae and Salamis
During the Battle of Thermopylae about 300 Spartans along with around 7000 other allies guarded a mountain pass. The Spartans held the pass until their spears broke and rushed the vast Persian army with their swords in an attempt to kill as many as possible. During this battle the Spartan king Leonidas was killed. After defeating the Spartans the Persians went on to destroy Athens which was evacuated. At the battle of Salamis the Athenians showed their naval power by destroying the Persian fleet -
Jan 1, 750
Delian League
The Delian League was an association of Greek city-states that was led by Athens whose purpose was to fight of the Persians and drive them away. After its formation Athens began to use the League's navy for its own uses. -
Jan 1, 775
Athen's Golden Age
After the Persian War Athens led an Anti-Persia defense of the independent Greek city-states around the Mediterranian Sea. By demanding contributions from the city-states they formed an empire. Athens used this money to beautify and glorify their city. This wealth also attracted many architects, artists, poets, philosophers, and many others. -
Peloponnesian War
The Peloponnesian War was the long war fought between the Delian League, led by Athens, and the Peloponnesian League led by the Spartans with great help from Thebes. The first war lasted from 460-445 B.C. and the second was from 431-404 B.C. The war ended at first with a 30 years treaty but then was finally ended in 404 B.C. with the Athenian fleet being destroyed at Aegospotami. -
Philip of Macedonia
Although he was put on the throne at a difficult time Philip managed to show his ability at the young age of 21. He bought off the King of Thrace with gifts and persuaded him to execute the first Macedonian pretender to the throne. He defeated in the battle the second pretender to the throne. This time the pretender was backed by Athens. He made a treaty with the Athenians to protect himself. He reorganized his army in 358 B.C. and destroyed the Illyrians in battle. -
Alexander the Great
Shortly after the defeat of Greece, Alexander pushed on to Persia. During the fighting Greek cities rebelled drawing him south. He demolished Thebes as a warning. In 333 B.C. he pushed south into Syria. After defeating the Persians at the River Granicus he defeated Darius III at Issus. He continued through Mesopotamia and defeated Darius at Gaugamela in 331 B.C. After Darius fled he was killed by his own men. Alexander continued to Punjab where he believed he reached the end of the world. -
Philip of Macedon 2
After the defeat if Illyria he made his land a military way of life. He also became increasingly aggresive. In 357 B.C. he broke his treaty and attacked the Athenian city of Amphipolis. He pushed further east and captured Thracian cities up to the river Nestus. After securing the Macedonian border Philip marched into Thrace and captured almost all of the land. Philip gave his son Alexander the army and marched into Greece. On August 2, 338 B.C. Greece was defeated and liberty ended.
