Archaic Period

First Historic Olympics

776 BCE

The Olympics were a series of athletic competitions dedicated to the god, Zeus. The players in the game were representatives of city states, also known as polis. The game involved footraces, javelin and wrestling matches. The Games took places at Olympia, Egypt.

First Messenian war

757 BCE

A war between Messenia and Sparta, resulting in Spartan victory. It is believed the war began over cattle theft, after a Messenian leased grazing land and sold the cows living there. Polychares also murdered the son of a Spartan, resulting in violence. Messenia suffered a loss of sovereignty, the Spartans taking away parts of their land.

Polydorus becomes king of Sparta

754 BCE

known for supplementing the policy that the king and Gerousia could together veto decisions made by Sparta Apella.

End of the Messenian war

738 BCE

Perdiccas I of Macedon conquers Macedonian land

735 BCE

The king fled from Argos to the upper parts of Macedonia into the city of Lebaia, settling into the land.

Polydorus sends colonists to Italy

734 BCE

The king of Sparta displays his strict policies in their oligarchy government

Lelantine war

725 BCE

Military conflict between Greek polis Chalcis and Eretia. The reason for the war was over fertile land in Lantine plain on the island of Euboa. The war grew with other city states taking sides. The first Greek war that involved allies over singular city states. The result of the war is uncertain.

Polydorus, king of sparta dies

719 BCE

Polydorus is murdered by Polymarchus

Pheidon becomes king of Argos

690 BCE

arguably the most ambitious and successful ruler

Second Messenian war

685 BCE

A war between the Ancient Greek states of Messenia and Sparta, was the result of revolt by the helot population of Messenia, supported with the aid of the Argives.

End of Second Messenian war

665 BCE

Cypselus subjects Corinth to tyranny

656 BCE

Corinth, an ancient Peloponnese area is subject to tyranny from Cypselus, the richest archaic polis

Battus establishes a Greek colony

642 BCE

Battus establishes a Greek colony in Cyrene, Libya. The first Greek king in Africa.

Cylon seizes Acropolis

632 BCE

The Athenian noble seizes Acropolis, Athens and tries to make himself king but fails

Draco issues code of laws

621 BCE

The Athenian lawgiver establishes laws which can be punishable by death. The first recorded legislator of Athens, Ancient Greece. The laws were harsh, giving the death penalty to people who stole foods.

Solon becomes Archon

594 BCE

Solon, an Athenian statesman, lawmaker and poet becomes Archon, the chief magistrate

Sappho flourishes on island of Lesbos

590 BCE

Sappho, a Greek poet who lived on the island of Lesbos, Greece. He is widely regarded as one of the best Ancient Greek poets.

Pythagoras is born

569 BCE

Peisistratos organises Diakrioi

565 BCE

The Athenian general, son of Hippocrates organises the party of poor people, Diakrioi. He took away privileges from the aristocrats and provided land and resources to the poor.