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1500 BCE
Hebrews in Egypt
Hebrews in Canaan migrate to Egypt in times of famine. -
1250 BCE
Moses
Moses led the Hebrews back to Canaan and unified the people under God's law. -
926 BCE
Solomon's Death
After Solomon's Death, tensions increased and the United Monarchy split between Israel and Judah. -
753 BCE
Rome Founded
Through a complex story, legend says Romulus founded Rome in 753 BCE. -
722 BCE
Assyrians destroy Israel
Israel, a tiny nation, was destroyed. -
590 BCE
Solon's Reforms - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event
Solon, an Athenian citizen, was given rights to make reforms and change legislation, and represents one of the early forms of democracy through direct citizen participation. -
586 BCE
Babylonians conquer Judah
The Babylonians destroyed Solomon's Temple and deported Hebrews to Babylonia. This triggered the Babylonian Captivity. -
509 BCE
Rise of the Roman Republic
The Romans overthrew the last of the seven Etruscan kings and created a republic. -
508 BCE
Cleisthenes' Reforms - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event
Cleisthenes created a new council that included people from all classes to collaborate. His reforms established reforms established democracy in Athens. -
478 BCE
The Delian League
The Greeks wanted a mutual defense organization to prevent further Persian Attack, ensuing some poleis to form the Delian League. -
460 BCE
Wars in Greece and with Persia
When the Delian League broke up, Athens was vulnerable to enemies on the mainland, ensuing wars with nearby enemies. -
450 BCE
The Twelve Tables - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event
The Twelve Tables dates back from around 450 BCE and was a foundation of Roman law. It touched on equality and the natural rights of a citizen. It helped the Roman Republic grow as a democracy. -
445 BCE
Thirty Years' Peace - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event
After Athens won a victory against Sparta, their enemies had to negotiate. The Thirty Years Peace brought Athens to a peak. During this time, Athenian democracy made strides by expanding and giving poor citizens full rights. -
442 BCE
Creation of Antigone
Created by Sophocles, Antigone was a play that shared tragedy and challenged philosophical views on divine law. -
431 BCE
The Peloponnesian War
Cornith and Spartans created the Peloponnesian League and went to war with Athens. -
405 BCE
Acropolis Project Finished
Home to many temples built for Athena and other deities, and an expression of Hellenic architecture. -
404 BCE
Spartan and Theban Hegemony
In the beginning of the 4th century, Spartan and Thebes struggled to remain the preeminent city-state. -
384 BCE
Writings of Aristotle - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event
Born in 384, Aristotle grew up to become revolutionary philosopher. In his book, Politics, he discusses the best forms of government and touches upon democracy. His writings became influential to the Western World and was a good start to democracy. -
338 BCE
Triumph of Macedonia
Macedonia conquered the Greek World with Philip’s troops and gained power of the Greek's military affairs. -
332 BCE
Alexander the Great conquers Judah
After the conquer and his death, the area became part of the Seleucid kingdom. -
323 BCE
Alexander's Death
At 32, Alexander passed away, ending his conquests. -
321 BCE
The Woman from Samos
Created by the leading author of New Comedy, his style would assimilate into Roman comedy and be a backbone to future entertainment. The comic play discusses love and misunderstandings. -
307 BCE
Founding and Rise of Successor States
Antigonus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy divided Alexander's empire following his death and ruled. -
287 BCE
Archimedes Born
Archimedes was the best-known scientist of the Hellenistic age, and was a mathematician, astronomer, and inventor. He also discovered the principle of buoyancy. -
287 BCE
Rome becomes a democracy - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event
The distinctions between patricians and the
plebeians were gone. Everyone could vote, and mostly everyone could be in office. This was a major stride for democracy. -
264 BCE
First Punic War
The beginning of a series of wars between Rome and Carthage. -
219 BCE
Second Punic War
Second of a series of wars between Rome and Carthage. -
149 BCE
Third Punic War
Last of a series of wars between Rome and Carthage. -
146 BCE
Rome Conquers Greek Peninsula
Rome conquers the Achaean League, and gave them power to the Greek Peninsula. -
133 BCE
Pergamum Ceded to Rome
King Attalus III of Pergamum passed and gave his kingdom to Rome. -
90 BCE
Council at Jamnia
Located in Judea, Jews decided their final sacred canon and rejected Christianity. -
65 BCE
Rome Conquers Seleucid Empire
Syria became a Roman province and the Seleucids slowly lost control. -
63 BCE
Pompey conquers Judah
In 63 BCE, the Romans were conquering most of the Middle East and incorporated Judah. -
31 BCE
Rome Defeats Cleopatra
Cleopatra commited suicide, ending the Ptolemies reign. -
4 BCE
Birth of Jesus
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33
Crucification of Jesus
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70
Romans Destroy Jerusalem
Following the First Jewish War, the Romans overtook Jerusalem and destroyed it, including the Second Temple. -
284
Reign of Diocletian
Diocletian's reign beginning that lasted until 305 -
300
Beginnings of Christian Monasticism
After the Nicea meeting, the creed spread and strengthened the Monasticism of Christianity. -
306
Reign of Constantine
Beginning of Constantine's reign that lasted until 337. -
313
Christianity made Legal
Constantine legalized and tolerated Christianity allowing the church to be a public institution. -
380
Christianity Made State Religion
Theodosius I passed legislation that would make Christianity the state religion of the empire. -
410
Sack of Rome by Visigoths
The Visigoths, a barbarian group, sacked Rome and overtook a majority of southern Gaul. -
476
Fall of Rome
By 476, the west empire didn't have any real authority. The western empire shifted into smaller kingdoms, and the Romans didn't have any more control. They were led to downfall because of invasions by Barbarian tribes. -
507
Clovis defeats Visigoths
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565
Death of Justinian
After his death, the eastern Roman world dealt with many challenges and groups attempting to gain control of the land. -
570
Muhammad Born
Born in Mecca, the soon-to-be founder of Islam and leader was alive. -
632
Muhammad dies
On the night of his death, Muhammad brought peace and united Arabia. -
632
Post-Muhammad Years
Following his death, Muhammad left a leadership crisis and chose caliphs to rule. Caliphs were successors of Muhammad and relatives by marriage. -
661
Umayyad Dynasty
Muawiyah founded this empire, and lasted until 750. The empire expanded and became an important trade center for the Middle East. -
720
Ekloga - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event
Leo III created a new law of code that referred and abbreviated from Justinian's code. His code simplified the Roman government by creating more branches but employing less men and less powerful officials. Justinian's code and Ekloga are foundational examples of democracy. -
726
Beginnings of the Iconoclastic Controversy
Emperor Leo III began speaking out against icons and spread the idea that icons were against biblical teachings. This controversy symboled the beginnings of Orthodoxy creating its path. -
Dec 25, 800
Coronation of Charlemagne
On Christmas day, the coronation of Charlemagne was given by Leo III at St. Peter’s Basilica.