Antiquity Timeline

Hebrews in Egypt

1500 BCE

Hebrews in Canaan migrate to Egypt in times of famine.

Moses

1250 BCE

Moses led the Hebrews back to Canaan and unified the people under God's law.

Solomon's Death

926 BCE

After Solomon's Death, tensions increased and the United Monarchy split between Israel and Judah.

Rome Founded

753 BCE

Through a complex story, legend says Romulus founded Rome in 753 BCE.

Assyrians destroy Israel

722 BCE

Israel, a tiny nation, was destroyed.

Solon's Reforms - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event

590 BCE

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.

Babylonians conquer Judah

586 BCE

The Babylonians destroyed Solomon's Temple and deported Hebrews to Babylonia. This triggered the Babylonian Captivity.

Rise of the Roman Republic

509 BCE

The Romans overthrew the last of the seven Etruscan kings and created a republic.

Cleisthenes' Reforms - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event

508 BCE

Cleisthenes created a new council that included people from all classes to collaborate. His reforms established reforms established democracy in Athens.

The Delian League

478 BCE

The Greeks wanted a mutual defense organization to prevent further Persian Attack, ensuing some poleis to form the Delian League.

Wars in Greece and with Persia

460 BCE

When the Delian League broke up, Athens was vulnerable to enemies on the mainland, ensuing wars with nearby enemies.

The Twelve Tables - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event

450 BCE

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.

Thirty Years' Peace - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event

445 BCE

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.

Creation of Antigone

442 BCE

Created by Sophocles, Antigone was a play that shared tragedy and challenged philosophical views on divine law.

The Peloponnesian War

431 BCE

Cornith and Spartans created the Peloponnesian League and went to war with Athens.

Acropolis Project Finished

405 BCE

Home to many temples built for Athena and other deities, and an expression of Hellenic architecture.

Spartan and Theban Hegemony

404 BCE

In the beginning of the 4th century, Spartan and Thebes struggled to remain the preeminent city-state.

Writings of Aristotle - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event

384 BCE

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.

Triumph of Macedonia

338 BCE

Macedonia conquered the Greek World with Philip’s troops and gained power of the Greek's military affairs.

Alexander the Great conquers Judah

332 BCE

After the conquer and his death, the area became part of the Seleucid kingdom.

Alexander's Death

323 BCE

At 32, Alexander passed away, ending his conquests.

The Woman from Samos

321 BCE

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.

Founding and Rise of Successor States

307 BCE

Antigonus, Seleucus, and Ptolemy divided Alexander's empire following his death and ruled.

Archimedes Born

287 BCE

Archimedes was the best-known scientist of the Hellenistic age, and was a mathematician, astronomer, and inventor. He also discovered the principle of buoyancy.

Rome becomes a democracy - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event

287 BCE

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.

First Punic War

264 BCE

The beginning of a series of wars between Rome and Carthage.

Second Punic War

219 BCE

Second of a series of wars between Rome and Carthage.

Third Punic War

149 BCE

Last of a series of wars between Rome and Carthage.

Rome Conquers Greek Peninsula

146 BCE

Rome conquers the Achaean League, and gave them power to the Greek Peninsula.

Pergamum Ceded to Rome

133 BCE

King Attalus III of Pergamum passed and gave his kingdom to Rome.

Council at Jamnia

90 BCE

Located in Judea, Jews decided their final sacred canon and rejected Christianity.

Rome Conquers Seleucid Empire

65 BCE

Syria became a Roman province and the Seleucids slowly lost control.

Pompey conquers Judah

63 BCE

In 63 BCE, the Romans were conquering most of the Middle East and incorporated Judah.

Rome Defeats Cleopatra

31 BCE

Cleopatra commited suicide, ending the Ptolemies reign.

Birth of Jesus

4 BCE

Crucification of Jesus

33

Romans Destroy Jerusalem

70

Following the First Jewish War, the Romans overtook Jerusalem and destroyed it, including the Second Temple.

Reign of Diocletian

284

Diocletian's reign beginning that lasted until 305

Beginnings of Christian Monasticism

300

After the Nicea meeting, the creed spread and strengthened the Monasticism of Christianity.

Reign of Constantine

306

Beginning of Constantine's reign that lasted until 337.

Christianity made Legal

313

Constantine legalized and tolerated Christianity allowing the church to be a public institution.

Christianity Made State Religion

380

Theodosius I passed legislation that would make Christianity the state religion of the empire.

Sack of Rome by Visigoths

410

The Visigoths, a barbarian group, sacked Rome and overtook a majority of southern Gaul.

Fall of Rome

476

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.

Clovis defeats Visigoths

507

Death of Justinian

565

After his death, the eastern Roman world dealt with many challenges and groups attempting to gain control of the land.

Muhammad Born

570

Born in Mecca, the soon-to-be founder of Islam and leader was alive.

Muhammad dies

632

On the night of his death, Muhammad brought peace and united Arabia.

Post-Muhammad Years

632

Following his death, Muhammad left a leadership crisis and chose caliphs to rule. Caliphs were successors of Muhammad and relatives by marriage.

Umayyad Dynasty

661

Muawiyah founded this empire, and lasted until 750. The empire expanded and became an important trade center for the Middle East.

Ekloga - Foundational Principles of Democracy Key Event

720

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.

Beginnings of the Iconoclastic Controversy

726

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.

Coronation of Charlemagne

Dec 25, 800

On Christmas day, the coronation of Charlemagne was given by Leo III at St. Peter’s Basilica.