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1200 BCE
End of Bronze Age
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Period: 1200 BCE to 800 BCE
Greek Iron ( or Dark) Age
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Period: 900 BCE to 753 BCE
Roman Iron Age
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Period: 800 BCE to 480 BCE
Archaic Period
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776 BCE
Traditional date for first Olympic games
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753 BCE
Traditional date for foundation of Rome
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Period: 753 BCE to 509 BCE
"Regnal" Period
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750 BCE
Homer writes the Iliad and Odyssey
These two epics display the cultural and religious values of the Greeks. Homer was one of the most well-known writers in the ancient Greek period, and was often admired by the Romans. These two epics tell the story of the Trojan War, and the protagonist Odysseus and Achilles displays the significance of "Glory" and the importance of gods. -
725 BCE
Greek creates a strong water based military
The geography of Greece caused Greeks soldiers to lear to live off the water. Because of the military training, Greeks had the navy and this was very useful in the battle of Salamis, because the war took place at the sea. -
621 BCE
Written code of laws developed in Athens
Draco established the first written code of laws in Athens; he is often called "Lawgiver". These laws were well known for their harshness. Death was the most common punishment. -
546 BCE
Lydia conquered by Persians.
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546 BCE
Pisistratus becomes tyrant of Athens
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509 BCE
Traditional date for expulsion of last king from Rome
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Period: 509 BCE to 31 BCE
Roman Republic
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507 BCE
Cleisthenes’ reforms at Athens
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496 BCE
The Birth of Sophocles
Sophocles was one of classical Athens' three great tragic playwrights. He won his first victory at the Dionysus drama festival in 468. He wrote 123 dramas for the festival including Electra, Ajax and Antigone. His plays reflects Athenian literarily achievement, and dramatic innovation, and reveals the social values of ancient Athens. -
480 BCE
The Birth of Euripides
Euripides embodied ancient Greek drama culture. He was the last of the three great tragedians of classical Greece (the other two being Aeschylus and Sophocles). Greek plays were an indication of their civic prides, they displays the culture is flourishing and literarily development. -
Period: 480 BCE to 323 BCE
Greek Classical Period
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479 BCE
Battle of Plataea
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450 BCE
The Law of 12 Tables
Like Athens; The Law of 12 Tables was one of the earliest attempts at law codes in Rome. Commission of ten men was appointed to draw up these laws to solve the conflicts between Patricians and Plebeians, and protect civil rights. These law codes reflect Roman social values and set the foundation for later fully codified law system in Rom. -
Period: 447 BCE to 432 BCE
Construction of the Parthenon
The temple exemplified the outstanding architectural techniques and artistic developments of the period. The temple was built to honour the goddess Athena; this temple reflects the Greeks' religious as well. -
446 BCE
Thirty-year peace treaty signed between Athens and Sparta
This treaty was enacted by Sparta and signed between Sparta and Athens after the first Peloponnesian War. This treaty required Athens to give up its possession in Peloponnese.This treaty is important because it meant to prevent another outbreak of war. -
Period: 431 BCE to 404 BCE
Peloponnesian War fought between Athens and Sparta
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387 BCE
Plato founds the Academy
This Academy was the first higher learning institution in the western ancient world, and it allowed men to learn philosophy and science and become better statesmen. Plato was the teacher of Alexander the Great and one of the pivotal figures in philosophy's development. -
338 BCE
Battle of Chaeronea in Greece.
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338 BCE
Roman victory in ‘Latin War’ in Italy
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Period: 336 BCE to 323 BCE
Reign of Alexander III of Macedon
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333 BCE
Battle of Issus
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Period: 323 BCE to 146 BCE
Hellenistic Period
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301 BCE
Battle of Ipsus
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Period: 280 BCE to 275 BCE
Pyrrhus of Epirus’ campaigns in Italy
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Period: 234 BCE to 149 BCE
Marcus Porcius Cato ( the elder)
Cato the elder was a Roman statesman, traditionally "the virtual founder of Latin Prose literature," and known for his opposition to Hellenization. He was the first one to write his work of historiography in Latin. His writing is important for Latin oratory and historiography. Unfortunately, his only work to survive intact is the de agri cultura. -
Period: 218 BCE to 201 BCE
Second Punic War
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133 BCE
King Attalus III of Pergamum bequeaths his kingdom to the Romans
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45 BCE
Caesar is named dictator for life
Julius Caesar was considered the greatest military strategist and brilliant politicians in ancient Rome. He executed the reforms of the Roman government and overthrowing the existing government made him become the first dictator of Rome. -
31 BCE
Battle of Actium
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Period: 31 BCE to 284
The Principate
31 BC- 284AD -
14
Death of Augustus
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30
Octavian became the first Roman emperor
Octavian, also called Augustus, was the first Roman emperor following the republic. He destroyed the dictatorship of Julius Caesar. His regime was known as the "principate" -
64
Great fire of Rome
Social tragedy happened in Rome. An urban fire started a summer night, the flames raged for six days and destroy a huge part of the city. Some historian suggest Nero planned the fire so he could rebuild the city. Nero himself put the responsibility on the Christians, and mercilessly crucified them. -
68
The death of Nero
The death of Nero ended the infamous Juliu-Claudian dynasty. Nero killed himself in 68 AD. He is well known for the crazy art and drama festivals he organized, and for executing Christians. Nero's death was followed by the chaotic "Year of the Four emperors." -
69
The year of the four emperors
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192
Death of Commodus
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284
Diocletian becomes emperor
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Period: 284 to Jan 1, 641
Late Antiquity
284 AD-641AD -
324
Constantine defeats Licinius
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380
Christianity is declared the sole religion of the Roman Empire by Theodosius I
Emperor Theodosius I changed the course of Christian history. He accepted a baptism during a serious illness. He used his power to enforce orthodox Christianity made it official, and placed power in the Church, which set the foundation for the Christian development in later periods.