Events, People, and Ideas of Ancient Greece

By mlevit
  • 367

    Aristotlembecomes a student Plato's Academy; he later teacher Alexander the Great (367 BCE)

    At the age of 17, Aristotle became a student of Plato in the academy. He studyed there for 23 years, and after created his own school called the Lyceum. Later, Aristotle taught Alexander the Great in Mieza. He taught him a few languages (Hebrew, Greek, Babylonian, and Latin), about astornemy, nature, and more.
  • 400

    Hippocrates practices and studies medicine (400s BCE)

    Hippocrates in known for being the father of medicine because he conducted an experiment which led to knowing that diseases were a natural process instead of a punishment from the gods. Hippocrates was the first physician to properly classify diseases. As a result, he created more advanced health systems that we still use today with small adjustments.
  • 447

    The construction of the Parthenon in athens (447 BCE)

    The Parthenon was the most important temple for the Greek culture at the time and currently is one of the greatest monuments in the world. The temple was initially built to show the wealth and power of the Athenians. The Parthenon was a replacement for the temple that was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BCE.
  • 460

    Pericles Create Democracy in Athens (460-429 BCE)

    As the Pericles came into power in Athens, they came up with democracy, meaning ruled by the people. This was where 500 lottery-selected male citizens over the age of 30 would be the decision makers for a term in a year (maximum 2 terms). 40 times a year, all male citizens would assemble and vote upon the decisions made by the 500 people ruling. This event was important because the Greek citizens could have a say in their laws. Today, we wouldn't use that system if it wasn't for the Greeks.
  • Jan 1, 621

    Athen's First Written Laws (621 BCE)

    In 621 BCE, Athens developed their first written code of laws called the Draconian Laws, introduced by Draco. he replaced the previous system for laws (oral law and blood feud) by written law. The laws were most reconized for being harsh. This event was very important because it made laws known to the public. It is very hard to get people aware of laws orally and it is also easily forgotten. In modern society, laws may not be the best they can be if we didnt have recorded laws in Athens.
  • Jan 1, 700

    The polis becomes the centre of Greek life (c.700 BCE)

    The polis, also known as a city-state, became the centre for greek life around 700 BCE. The two most powerful city-states were Athens and Sparta. Each city-state had several factors that made it important, such as written language, coined money, banks, new cultural practices, and public functions.
  • Jan 1, 700

    Greek City-States were Monarchies (before 700 BCE)

    Before 700 BCE, most Greek poleis were monarchies, meaning ruled by one. In a monarchy, the power is in the hands of a single person, the king. The people in the city-state would pay taxes to the king, follow his laws and rely on him for their protection. After the king's death, the eldest son would inherit power. Occasionally, the closest military advisers would want to be the new monatch and they would fight for the position. This marked the beginning of a society that is dominated by one.
  • Jan 1, 700

    Greek City-States become Oligarchies (700- 650 BCE)

    It was common for Greek City-States to be oligarchies, meaning ruled by few. The government system was made up of men from rich families. Soon, dissatifaction arose as the farmer population increased while food supply decreased. Oligarchies eventully disapeared in Greece because the rulers treated the people poorly and the wealthy would assemble armies and overthrow the rulers. This event was important because it effected so many lives with the government's unfair ruling system.
  • Jan 1, 776

    The First Olympic Games (776 BCE)

    The first ever Olympic Games took place in Olympia as a way to show the physical qualities and capabilities of young people. The games also brought good relations between cities in Greece. All free male citizens of Greece were entitled to participate in the games and unmarried women had the option to join. the Olympic Games inclued running, jumping, wrestling, discus throw, horse races, chariot races, and more competitions.

  • The Blind Poet Homer Writes the Iliad and the Odyssey 800-700 BCE

    The blind poet Homer, is mainly known for writng the legend of Iliad and the Odyssey. The story was about the military operation of Troy during the Trojan War. The story was the fandation for greek culture, societal values, religous beliefs, and the practice of warfare. The legend also influenced western cultures even today.

  • Plato opens an academy of learning in Athens (c.380 BCE)

    Plato's Academy, later known as Plato's School, was founded around 380 BCE for educational purposes. The Academy was excluesive and not open to some of the public.

  • Sparta's First Written Laws (800 BCE)

    Most Spartans were sticklers for obeying the laws. The communication and military reforms guided them to proper behavior and transformed Spartan society. The lawmaker in Sparta was named Lycurgus and he established the military-focused alteration of Spartan society. The laws he made were designed according to the Spartan values: military fittness, equality amoung the citizens, and austerity.