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776 BCE
First Olympics
The ancient Olympic Games were a series of athletic competitions between representatives of different Greek city-states. They were held every four years at Olympia in honor of the god Zeus. These Olympic Games served as the inspiration for the modern Olympic Games held today. -
750 BCE
Homer Writes the Odyssey and the Iliad
The two great epics of Homer. The Odyssey describes the voyages of Odysseus on his way back from the Trojan War. The Iliad describes the Trojan War and the fall of Troy. -
508 BCE
Birth of Democracy
The Athenian leader Cleisthenes introduced a system of political reforms that he called "demokratia." It was the first known democracy in the world. -
Period: 495 BCE to 429 BCE
Pericles
Pericles was an aristocrat who dominated Athenian politics but did not actually seize power as had the earlier tyrants. Under Pericles, there were around 1,500 officials who managed the taxation of the Delian League’s cities, ran courts and administrative bodies, and managed the League’s activities. He also created the policy of paying public servants. -
Period: 469 BCE to 399 BCE
Socrates
Socrates noted that there are essential truths about morality and ethical conduct, but to arrive at those truths one must be willing to relentlessly question oneself. According to Socrates, there were higher truths and meanings to human conduct than mere wealth and political power. He is generally considered the original founder of Western Philosophy. -
432 BCE
Parthenon
One of the most famous surviving pieces of Greek architecture is the Parthenon of Athens. This temple is dedicated to the patron goddess Athena and was built to illustrate the golden ratio in terms of height and width. The use of symmetrical columns and exquisite carvings is widely considered to strike an excellent balance between elegance and brilliance. -
Period: 431 BCE to 404 BCE
The Peloponnesian War
This war was fought between Athens and Sparta, the leading city-states of ancient Greece, along with their allies, which included nearly every other Greek city-state. Its main cause was a fear of Athenian imperialism. Athens ended up losing the war, bringing an end to the golden age of Ancient Greece. -
Period: 384 BCE to 322 BCE
Aristotle
Aristotle was the ancient world's greatest intellectual. He founded the domains of biology, literary criticism, political science, and logical philosophy. He wrote about physics, astronomy, mathematics, and drama. His was so influential that philosophers continued to believe in his findings well into the period of the Renaissance. He undoubtedly deserves to be recognized as one of the greatest thinkers of all time. -
Period: 356 BCE to 323 BCE
Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great is one of the most renowned historical figures. Alexander was born in Macedonia to King Philip II. When his father was assassinated in 336 BCE, Alexander became king at twenty. He conquered the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Defeating the Persian Empire was one of Alexander’s greatest accomplishments. Alexander died at the age of thirty-two years old, leaving a great empire and legacy behind. -
283 BCE
Library of Alexandria
The Library of Alexandria is considered to be the first research university in the western world. The library compiled and translated every trace of scholarship from the Hellenistic world. It hosted scholars who based their own work on its archives. The library was ultimately destroyed; it is not known for sure who is responsible for the destruction but Julius Ceaser is blamed by some for it.