APWH Timeline

Hinduism was founded (India)

1500 BCE

Hinduism is a major religious and cultural tradition of South Asia, developed from Vedic religion (founded in the Indus Valley). Hinduism was important to India because the was practiced by almost everyone in Ancient India. It also gave birth to the caste system, which is still an important part of Indian culture today. (religion)

Trojan War (Europe)

1400 BCE

The Trojan War was a war fought between the Greeks and the Trojans. The Greeks had to sail to Troy to get back a Greek king's wife, Helen of Troy. The Trojan War is very important in Greek mythology and to understand the relationships between groups in ancient Europe.

Aryans invaded (India)

1300 BCE

The Aryans were people who lived in close-knit family groups. When they invaded India, they created the social classes and brought polytheistic religion with them.

Zhou Dynasty (China)

Period: 1029 BCE to 258 BCE

The Zhou Dynasty was the first official dynasty of China. Along with the Zhou Dynasty came China's standardized language, Mandarin, and two philosophies -- Confucianism and Daoism. The Dynasty declined because land-owning nobles became too powerful and the central government lost authority.

Vedas were composed (India)

1000 BCE

Vedas were the most ancient Hindu scriptures, written in early Sanskrit and containing hymns, philosophy, and guidance on ritual for the priests of Vedic religion. They were important to the development of Hinduism, which led the way for other religions that followed. (culture)

Epic Age (India)

800 BCE

The Epic Age was a time period in which many stories/epics were written, such as Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Upanishads. These differents stories and legends have helped us to understand the details of the Aryan's expansion. (culture)

Athens and Sparta became dominant (Europe)

800 BCE

Athens and Sparta were the majors civilizations in ancient Europe. They didn't really get along and they even fought a war against each other later in the Postclassical era. The Athens were important because they invented democracy and the Sparta were known for their strict militaristic rule.

The first Olympic Games (Europe)

776 BCE

The Olympics were athletic competitions between the Greek city-states. They were an important part of Greek culture in ancient Europe. They stopped in 393 CE, but they started being held again worldwide 1500 years later. The modern Olympic games are still modelled after the first Olympics. (culture)

The Iliad and Odyssey were written (Europe)

700 BCE

The Iliad and The Odyssey are Homer's most famous epic poems, but it is believed that he wrote more. These two epics have since been translated and are still read today. There are now many literary references made to these two epics. (culture)

Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) was born (India)

563 BCE

Siddhartha Gautama was the founder of Buddhism. Buddhism was formed from Hindu ideas, however it disagreed with the caste system and instead said that everyone was equal as long as they put in equal work. Siddhartha Gautama's ideas of Buddhism are still practiced today. (religion)

Life of Confucius (China)

Period: 551 BCE to 478 BCE

The life of Confucius was essential to Chinese history because Confucius birthed one of the most popular philosophies in ancient China. This philosophy led to scholars, and since it was all about respect, it led to a better support of the government as well, which is usually a good thing.

Cyrus the Great (Europe)

550 BCE

Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire who was later conquered by alexander the Great. He tolerated a lot of local customs and developed new iron technology. However, his biggest contribution to ancient Europe was the building of highways. The highways were important for easier trade.

Enter Daoism (China)

500 BCE

The introduction of Daoism is an important piece of Chinese history because it was one of the major philosophies at the time. This led to more seeking of knowledge, which contributed to the improvement of China. Also, the Daosim belief that everything will find its path or "the Way" helped the government keep things under control.

Peloponnesian War (Europe)

431 BCE

The Peloponnesian war was a 27 year long war between Athens and Sparta. Sparta won which affected both sides of the war. The successors of Sparta led for centuries, while Greek city-states were weakened and struggled to get back on their feet.

Alexander the Great invades (India)

327 BCE

Alexander the Great was an ancient ruler with a great military mind. He established the largest empire of the ancient world. With him, he brought many ideas that led to cultural development in India. Some examples of these include Astronomy, Medicine, a solar calendar, and more accurate measurements. (culture)

Hellenistic Period (Europe)

323 BCE

The Hellenistic Period was the period of time after the death of Alexander the Great up to the middle of the first century BCE. This was an important time period because the Greek Civilization spread into India. Trade also flourished during this time and Greek culture/art became more evident. (culture)

Mauryan Dynasty (India)

322 BCE

The Maurya Dynasty was very geographically extensive and founded by Chandragupta. The Mauryan Dynasty lasted from 322 BCE-187 BCE. They were important because of their large armies, and autocracy.

Xin Dynasty (China)

Period: 221 BCE to 202 BCE

The Xin Dynasty was ruled by Xin Shi Huangdi, who was a brutal leader and attacked Chinese culture. However, he did make a few contributions to China, such as the Great Wall and the promotion of manufacturing and taxes, also an irrigation system and written language were formed. Unfortunately the Xin Dynasty did not last long because the emperor was so unpopular with the people of China, but he will be remembered because "Xin" is where China got its name.

Han Dynasty (China)

Period: 202 BCE to 220

The Han Dynasty made very many advancements in its time, like advancements in Confucianism and trade, which led to advancements in global connections. This is why the Han Dynasty was so important in Chinese history. Unfortunately, though, the Dynasty declined from Hun invasions.

Time of greatest Buddhist influence (India)

200 BCE

This was a time when Buddhism spread most quickly and effectively. Holy places like Mecca also gained importance during this time. This time was important because it allowed more people to practice Buddhism and spread it throughout India. (religion)

3rd Punic War (Europe)

149 BCE

The last of the Punics Wars, a series of 3 wars fought between Rome and Carthage. The 3rd Punic War was important to Europe because it salted the land and made it easier for agriculture. Carthage was also destroyed in the Wars.

Han Wu Ti (China)

Period: 141 BCE to 87 BCE

The Han Wu Ti was a period of peace in China during the Han Dynasty, somewhat like the Pax Romana. This period of peace led to many cultural advancements and improvements overall in Chinese society.

Julius Caesar was born (Europe)

100 BCE

Julius Caesar became the dictator of Rome in 49 BCE and expanded the Roman Empire before his assassination in 44 BCE. Julius Caesar was crucial for the rise of the Roman Empire and the results of his rule lasted long after his assassination.

Augustus Caesar was born (Europe)

63 BCE

Augustus caesar was the great-nephew of Julius Caesar, known as being the first person to cross the Rubicon River. He was also a Roman ruler who took over in 27 BCE. He transformed Rome into an empire after the death of Julius Caesar and his efforts has a significant reward because they led to the Pax Romana.

Era of Six Dynastics (China)

Period: 220 to 589

This was a time of political discord for China. There was no central government, therefore there were no advancements, which is something to remember as what not to do when trying to function as a country.

Roman decline (Europe)

300

The Roman Empire began to decline due to a deteriorating economy and a declining population. They were also too spread out to defend effectively anymore. As they grew more and more weak, it allowed for Odoacer to invade and take over in 476.

Ashoka (India)

304

Ashoka was an Indian ruler who lived a lavish lifestyle, believed in nature and spiritualism and used violent techniques to expand his empire. He converted to Buddhism and was known for his elevation of Buddhism. (religion)

Edict of Milan (Europe)

313

The Edict of Milan was a letter signed by Constantine that granted religious tolerance. However it is most famous for making Christianity legal. Constantine also settled religious disputes at the Council of Nicea. The Council of Nicea is still relevant because decisions and rules made during it are still in place today. (religious)

The Gupta Empire (India)

320

The Gupta Empire was an empire founded by Sri Gupta that covered much of ancient India. They usually used negotiation rather than violence to expand and gain power. The time of the Guptas was also important for India because it was a sort of Golden Age for them.

Birth of Muhammad (Islam)

570

Muhammad was and is the most famous and important prophet of Islam beliefs. He spread this faith, and it is the reason that Islam exists as a great religion today.

Sui Dynasty (China)

Period: 589 to 618

The Sui Dynasty was important because the emperor of the Sui Dynasty was the one who instructed the building of the Grand Canal, a central way of transportation at that time. This era also supported Buddhism a great deal, which led to a more peaceful society.

Muhammad Begins Preaching His New Faith (Islam)

613

If Muhammad had never began preaching, Islam would've never been the religion it is today. He began spreading his faith throughout the Middle East, expanding the awareness of Islam.

Tang Dynasty (China)

Period: 618 to 907

The Tang Dynasty was a mostly military-focused Dynasty in China. Since it was military-focused, China extended its territory and won many battles during that time period.

Uniting Under Islam (Islam)

629

Muhammad now had his followers and they began to preach the Islam faith. Soon after, the people of the Middle East were united under one religion - Islam. This allowed for them to stop wasting time fighting each other and start fighting other people.

Death of Muhammad (Islam)

632

Muhammad’s death led to a period of disunity among Arabs. Everyone fought over who should be the next leader to replace Muhammad.

Ridda Wars (Islam)

634

Under Abu Bakr’s rule, the Arabs expanded their empire by setting out to fight other people and conquer other places.

Jihads of Arabia - Muslim Conquests (Islam)

640

Jihads were holy wars started by Arab Muslims. This increased the Muslims’ habit to fight and conquer. Islam spread through these jihads and further united Arabia.

Slavic migrations (Europe)

650

The Slavic migrations were the movements of Slavic people from Asia to eastern Europe. The people that were already living on that land picked up the Slavic language and some of their customs. The Slavs also extended their agriculture in Russia since the soil was nice and rich. (culture)

Murder of Uthman (Islam)

656

Uthman was the third caliph, and when he was murdered, the Shi’a proclaimed Ali as caliph. This is what started the split between the Sunni and Shi’a.

First Civil War (Islam)

656

The rule of Caliph Ali caused a great divide between the Sunni and Shi’a. This led to a war between them, and caused a great deal of fighting among the Arab empire. Instead of fighting other people and conquering, the people of the Middle East were fighting amongst each other, weakening the power of Arabia.

Schism Between Sunni and Shi’a (Islam)

680

This divide began a separation between two branches of Arab Muslims that would last to this present time. It began when the Shi’a proclaimed Ali as the next caliph after the assassination of Uthman.

Second Civil War (Islam)

680

The Middle East was lacking a good leader, therefore the empire was in a state of discord with a lot of fighting. The Shias were revolting and the people were lost overall.

Tributary State of Silla in Korea Established (China)

688

During the Tang Dynasty, China conquered Korea and established a tributary state called Silla. China did not really make the Koreans assimilate to Chinese culture; instead, all they asked was that Silla give money as tribute to China in tax form. (Silla is the purple part on the map)

Third Civil War (Islam)

744

The third civil war, or Fitna, of the Arab empire was mainly between the Umayyads and anti-Umayyad forces. The Abbasids revolted and ended up winning, causing the new Abbasid Empire to begin. This is important because it is the end of one era and the beginning of another in the Middle East.

Fall of Umayyad Caliphate (Islam)

747

The fall of the Umayyad caliphate caused a big change in the Middle East. Gone were the customs, leaders, and rules of one empire, and in came changes to the entire range of the Middle East.

Abbasid Empire (Islam)

750

The Abbasid Empire began soon after the fall of the Umayyad Caliphate. It began a time of new power to the imperial state of the Middle East and led to a new way of life for Arab Muslims, when they expanded their territory even more.

Independent Dynasties Established (Islam)

Period: 777 to 800

Independent dynasties of Islam were established in places like Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia. This helped Islam spread to Africa, where it is prevalent now.

Period of Buddhist Persecution (China)

840

There was a period during the later Tang Dynasty where the Confucianists convinced Tang emperors to persecute Buddhism and destroy Buddhist monasteries. This is a brutal way to get rid of another religion, and it was not a time to look back on proudly, more of a reminder to not repeat history.

Song Dynasty (China)

Period: 900 to 1279

The Song Dynasty was a time for the Neo-Confucian revival. This led to a more sophisticated style of living, and harder exams for Chinese students. And although things like flying money, junk ships, and block printing were invented, the Song Dynasty failed in other areas, such as fighting off the north, therefore having to par=y a tribute to the northern nomads, which led to the decline of the Song Dynasty.

Invention of Block Printing (China)

1050

The invention of block printing was an important Chinese invention because it allowed for information to be carried out in a much faster and easier way, therefore making the spread of knowledge faster and easier.

Crusades (Europe)

1095

The Crusades were a series of medieval military expeditions to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims. Crusaders were encouraged to fight with the promise of full forgiveness if they died in battle. The Crusades showed the military side of Western Europe and opened them up to influence from the Middle East. This influence stayed with Europe even after the last Crusade. (religion)

First Christian Crusade in Palestine (Islam)

1096

The Christians attacked the Arab Muslims and seized their Holy Land. Muslims were massacred and defeated. This loss was great for Islam.

Invention of Gunpowder (China)

1100

While Chinese scientists were trying to figure out a way to make fireworks, they accidentally stumbled upon a huge discovery -- gunpowder. This discovery led to a much more effective way of fighting with using this explosive to make better weapons. This incredible invention was spread very quickly simply through the battles going on at the time.

First Reference of Compass Use for Sea Navigation (China)

1119

This is an important find because the use of a compass for sea navigation led to new world discoveries and covering new land, which ultimately led to the spread of new knowledge.

Magna Carta (Europe)

1215

The Magna Carta was a charter of liberties that English barons made King John sign in 1215 at Runnymede. The Magna Carta starts off as wanting to honor God and protect the health of the soul. Once King John signed the Magna Carta, he had the support of the barons. Therefore, he once again had people who were willing to collect his taxes and fight for him. (religion)

Fall of Baghdad to Mongols, End of Abbasid Caliphate (Islam)

1258

The Mongols were invading many areas all over the world, and unfortunately the Middle East was one of them. They were conquered brutally by the Mongols, and the Abbasid Caliphate along with Baghdad fell. This began an entirely new era for the people of Islam.

Mongol Dynasty Rules All of China (China)

Period: 1279 to 1368

The Mongols invaded and made some big changes, and that was basically it for ancient Chinese history. They completely altered the social hierarchy, to where there was very little scholar gentry, and peasants were helped often. Also, gender roles were changed in a pretty big way as well. Women had a lot more authority than they used to. Although the Mongols changed China, it might've been for the better. China ended up being a center for knowledge from all around the ancient world.

Black Death (Europe)

1348

The Black Death was a plague in Medieval Europe that killed a third of its population. It was transmitted to humans from rats that had been infected by fleas. The Black Death significantly reduced Europe's population and left people holding a long grudge on the Jews (since they were barely affected). It is thought that this grudge may have been one of the factors leading to the Holocaust several centuries later.