-
Period: 1300 BCE to 1200 BCE
The Trojan War
The Trojan war was a legendary war between the greeks and the trojans. The war was a 10 year long battle due to a trojan prince had captured Helen of Troy. The battle held many myths and legends that were never confirmed but the war can be confirmed as real. The most famous tale of the trojan war is the greeks creating a giant wooden horse with greek soldiers concealed inside then slaughtering the inhabitants. This coined the term opening the horse and was a show of military brilliance. -
Period: 750 BCE to 700 BCE
Homer Writes the Iliad
Sometime between 750 B.C.E. and 700 B.C.E. a man named Homer created an epic poem known as the Iliad. This poem details the events of the Trojan war in the viewpoint of Achilles and Hector in a dramatic story. The story eventually gave insight into what happened during the Trojan war and gave the backdrop for the greeks religion. These myths were the Greeks stories on why everything happens. These myths allowed us to have a better understanding of greek culture. -
621 BCE
Draco Rises to Power in Athens
In 621 B.C.E., A nobleman called Draco rose to power in Athens and created some particularly harsh laws for most Athenians. The laws were based upon the idea that all Athenians were equal under the law but were so harsh that they eventually coined the term draconian for being harsh and rough. These laws were important because it set Athens onto the road of democracy which created our form of democracy we use today. It also coined a new word which we also still use today. -
594 BCE
Solon Rises to Power in Athens
In 594 B.C.E, a man named Solon began tempering Athens into a democratic society. He outlawed slavery in Athens, organized Athenian citizens into four social classes according to wealth, and allowed anyone to bring charges against criminals. This caused Athens to have a closer resemblance to democracy which had a heavy impact on Americans to this day. Because of these reforms we can now charge anyone who has wronged us illegally in court, vote no matter who we are, and despise slavery. -
500 BCE
Cleisthenes Rises to Power in Athens
At around 500 B.C.E., a man named Cleisthenes created new reforms to Athens. He broke up the power of nobility and created power groups based upon where people lived rather than their economic power. He allowed all citizens to go to the assembly and vote for new laws. He created the council of 500 which was a group who proposed legislation and laws for vote. This was a crucial time in history as it was the first time democracy was used, albeit a limited system and we use elements of it today. -
Period: 431 BCE to 404 BCE
The Peloponnesian War
Between the years of 431 B.C.E. and 404 B.C.E. Athens and Sparta both pressed for war as they both believed that they held the advantage in the coming conflict. After battling at sporadic intervals over a couple of decades, Athens eventually surrendered. Athens lost its wealth and power in one war. The Peloponnesian war helped the world understand how to avoid internal conflict and some war tactics to use in certain situations like Sparta creating a blockade to Athens. -
343 BCE
Aristotle Teaches Alexander the Great
In 343 B.C.E., the great philosopher Aristotle took in Alexander the great to tutor for 7 years. He taught Alexander in physics and military strategy so that when he became king he could conquer the Persians. Aristotle's teachings were so advanced and insightful that we still use some of his teachings today in classrooms for the basic structure in physics and psychology. His school also indirectly gave us all the knowledge and benefits that they Persian wars gave us. -
Period: 334 BCE to 332 BCE
Alexander the Great Invades Persia
In 334 B.C.E., Alexander the Great, after securing Greece and turning them to his command, leads 35,000 soldiers into Anatolia to fight the Persians. After marching into Anatolia he quickly overcomes and conquers the Persian army. In 332 B.C.E., Persia's capital of Persepolis burns into the ground as Alexander watches. This event is important because it started it was the path to starting Hellenistic culture and military tactics and technology still used to this day.
