Ancient Greece

  • Minoans
    3000 BCE

    Minoans

    Start of the Minoans civilization on the island of Crete
  • Fall of Troy
    1184 BCE

    Fall of Troy

    The Trojan War was based on a Greek myth and mentioned in the Illiad. The city was under siege for 10 years and fell after the Trojan Horse was introduced. There is evidence that the historical city, Troy VII, was destroyed by a fire or earthquake.
  • Fall of the Minoans
    1100 BCE

    Fall of the Minoans

    The Minan civilization ended in what is believed to be an earthquake.
  • Olympics
    776 BCE

    Olympics

    The Olympic began to honor Zeus, the major "olympian." The games included feats of strength and fitness, such as wrestling, running, and chariot races. Winners would receive an olive wreath as a prize.
  • Homer
    750 BCE

    Homer

    Homer, a traveling bard, wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.
  • Sappho the Poet
    610 BCE

    Sappho the Poet

    Sappho, a female poet, did well on the island of Lesbos. Her poems are intimate, showcasing her respect and honor for the goddess Aphrodite. Her poetry was often sung over a lyre, giving rise to the invention of lyrical poetry.
  • Solon
    593 BCE

    Solon

    Solon, an Athenian leader, laid the foundation for the rise of democracy. He cancelled all debt, ended slavery and serfdom, and granted citizenship to artisans from other countries to boost trade and taxes. He also introduced the idea that his city-state, Athens, should have it's own coin; it featured an owl and Athena.
  • Persian War
    490 BCE

    Persian War

    The start of the Persian War, a conflict between the Persian Empire and many Greek city-states. The war centered around aquiring territory and rebellion.
  • Democracy
    488 BCE

    Democracy

    Direct democracy is established in the city-state of Athens