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Period: 3000 BCE to
Bantu Mythology
The Bantu people believe in Bantu mythology. This originated in Nigeria, and moved south east to many Sub-Saharan countries. This religion believes in one god, and have been passed down orally. They believe in many different things depending on which region you are in. However, animism (animals, places and objects having powers or spiritual essence) is central to many of these religions. -
Period: 1800 BCE to
Judaism
Judaism originated near the eastern region of Canaan (modern day Israel/Palestine). It spread throughout the world, however is centered in Israel. It mostly spread through trade, as many Jews were merchants. Judaism is monotheistic, believing in one God. However it differs from Christianity as God cannot be subdivided into other gods. God is very powerful, existing above the earth and punishes bad, rewards good things, and forgives mistakes. -
1500 BCE
Temple is built (Greek)
First temple to Demeter (oldest god in the Greek pantheon, goddess of agriculture) and Persephone (Godess of agriculture and vegetation, wife of Hades) is built at Eleusis. This was another way for the people to honor the Gods. By building these temples, they would hope for a good harvest and food. -
1000 BCE
Bantu people Travel (Bantu)
The Bantu people moved from their home region in West Africa around 1000 BCE. They spread around Africa, but mostly followed the coat and major rivers in the Congo, finally reaching Angola by 500 BCE. -
Period: 900 BCE to 400
Greco-Roman beliefs
These spread throughout the Mediterranean and into some parts of Europe. Greek and Roman religions were polytheistic, worshipping many gods. They believed that these gods were responsible for natural events. Some aspects of the religion would differ across the many city-states, however most had 12 main gods, also called a pantheon. Daily worship of the gods and offering different foods and items was common. If the people pleased the gods, then they would be rewarded, if not, punished. -
776 BCE
Olympia Games (Greek)
First athletic games are held in honor of the God Zeus. They are held at Olympia with one event, the stadion foot race. This is one of the many methods that the Greeks would use to honor to the gods. -
Period: 500 BCE to 600
Bantu Traditions
Bantu traditions begin to travel across the African continent, mixing with other traditional practices. -
300 BCE
Early Druid Text (Druidism)
The earliest record of the druids comes from two Greek texts. One, a history of philosophy written by Sotion of Alexandria, and the other a study of magic widely attributed to Aristotle. Both texts are now lost, but were quoted in the 2nd century CE work Vitae by a man named Diogenes Laërtius. -
Period: 300 BCE to 200
Druidism
Practiced by the Celts, Druidism originated in Wales and spread into Britain and France, and other parts of Europe. It was replaced by Christianity. People who practiced this were called 'Druids". Druids were concerned with the natural world and its powers, and considered trees sacred, particularly the oak. Druidism was a Shamanic religion, using the spirit world and holistic medicines to treat and cause illnesses. They were also described as accurate fortune tellers for the time. -
51 BCE
Gallic Wars (Druidism)
After the Gallic Wars, and Roman invasion of Northern Europe, ending in 51 BCE, druid populations across Europe started to decline. This happened over time as the Romans kept introducing laws that banned druid practices and rituals. -
Period: 6 BCE to
Christianity
Christianity spread mainly because of stories people heard about the religion, like stories of a powerful Christian God, and promises to help the poor. Christians believe in one god. They also believe that God sent his son Jesus, to save the world, and was crucified on a cross to offer the forgiveness of sins and was resurrected three days after his death before ascending to heaven. -
313
Constantine Converts to Christianity
before his death, Constantine issued an edict that protected Christians in the Roman Empire. On his deathbed, he converted to the religion. This helped spread Christianity throughout Europe. -
570
Muhammad is born (Islam)
Muhammad was born in the city of Mecca in 570. He is responsible for founding Islam, in 610. -
Period: 610 to
Islam
Islam spread through military conquests, trade, pilgrimage, and through the use of missionaries. Today it is largely practiced in the Middle East and North Africa. Islam is monotheistic, meaning they worships one god (Allah). They also believe that Allah knows what will happen in the future, and judges humans based on good and bad deeds. -
620
Quʾrān is written (Islam)
The Quran was written by Muhammad, is the central religious text of Islam. Muslims believe this book to be a revelation from God, and is regarded as the finest work in Arabic literature. -
Mar 31, 1492
The Spanish Inquisition (Judaism)
On March 31, 1492, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain issued an edict giving Spanish Jews the choice to be exiled or baptized. Because of this, more than 160,000 Jews were expelled from Spain. -
1517
Martin Luther's 95 Theses (Christianity)
Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses in Wittenberg, Germany; beginning the Protestant reformation. This made the Catholic Church less powerful in Europe. -
The Holocaust Begins (Judaism)
Six million Jews were killed by Nazis during World War Two. This accounted for 2/3 of the Jewish population in Europe. Jewish people were sent to concentration or death camps across Europe. This was started as a result of the Nazi party, led by Adolf Hitler, blaming the conditions in Germany on the Jews, as well as the German Empire's defeat in World War One.