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404
Sparta defeats Athens; the Peloponnesian War ends.
The battle fought between the two leading city-states in ancient Greece, Athens and Sparta. Each stood at the head of alliances that, between them, included nearly every Greek city-state. -
431
The Peloponnesian War begins between Sparta and Athens.
The Peloponnesian War (431-404 B.C.) took place between the Athenian empire and Peloponnesian league lead by the Spartans. The main reason for the launch of the war was the Spartan fear of Athens's growing power and prosperity. -
431
The Greek city-states are weakened through competition with one another and heavy taxes during the Peloponnesian wars. (431 to 404 BCE)
This was a very difficult time for the city-states of Greece because for some of the more poor people in greece they had to pay for heavier taxes during the peloponnesian war. For that reason it was more difficult to raise families because it got very expensive. -
447
The construction of the Parthenon is completed in Athens.
At the approximate position where the Parthenon was built later, the Athenians began the construction of a building that was burned by the Persians during the Battle of Marathon. While it was still under construction in 480 BCE. They assume it was dedicated to Athena, and after its destruction much of its ruins were utilized in the building of the fortifications at the north end of the Acropolis. Not much is known about this temple. -
Jan 1, 621
Athens develops a written code of laws (621 BCE)
The first written code in Athens, was the Draco's law. Draco’s laws were very severe. They were so bad that they were said to have been written in blood and not ink. And for almost any criminal offense it was a death penalty. -
Jan 1, 700
The polis (city-state) becomes the centre of Greek life.
The Greek polis had a town, city or even a village and its surrounding countryside. The town, city or village served as the focus where the citizens of the polis could assemble for political, social, and religious activities. -
Jan 1, 700
The blind poet Homer writes the Illiad and the Odyssey.
Homer is a mystery that know one know's much about. The Greek poet credited with the enduring tales of The Iliad and The Odyssey is full of events and actual facts of his life go. Some scholars believe him to be one man; others think these iconic stories were created by a group of people. -
Jan 1, 776
The first Olympic Games take place
According to historical records, the first ancient Olympic Games can be traced back to 776 BC. The Olympic games were dedicated to the Olympian gods and were staged on the ancient plains of Olympia. They continued the Olympic games for almost 12 centuries, until Emperor Theodosius died in 393 A.D. -
Most Greek City-States were monarchies (Prior to the 8th century BCE)
Two of the main city-states in Greece were Athens and Sparta. They were both ruled under a monarchy. -
Sparta develops the first code of Greek written law to govern its military city-sate. (800 BCE)
Other greeks may not have written down their laws., they pass down their laws from generation to generation. In sparta they did write down their laws. It is important that they write them down to make sure that they don't forget them or change them in some way. -
Solon becomes sole ruler in Athens and makes reforms government. The poorer classes are included in making government decisions.
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The persians are defeated by Greeks in the battle of Marathon.
The battle of Marathon is one of history's most famous military engagements. It is also one of the earliest recorded battles of their time. Their victory against the Persian invaders gave the fledgling Greek city states confidence in their ability to defend themselves and belief in their continued existence. They gained more power after that battle.
