Big History Timeline

  • 100

    Big Bang Theory

    Big Bang Theory
    The Big Bang happened 13.7 billion years ago. According to the big bang theory, the universe began by expanding from an infinitesimal volume with extremely high density and temperature. The universe was smaller than even a pore on your skin. With the big bang, the fabric of space itself began expanding like the surface of an inflating balloon. Then exploded.
  • 105

    Battle of Arausio

    Battle of Arausio
    105 B.C. - The Cimbri inflict the heaviest defeat on the Roman army of Gnaeus Mallius Maximus.
  • 141

    Liu Che

    Liu Che
    141 B.C. - Liu Che, posthumously known as Emperor Wu of Han, assumes the throne over the Han Dynasty of China.
  • 153

    Roman

    Roman
    153 B.C. - Roman consuls begin their year in office.
  • 164

    Judas Maccabaeus

    Judas Maccabaeus
    Judas Maccabaeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family, restores the Temple in Jerusalem. This event is commemorated each year by the festival of Hanukkah.
  • 202

    Battle of Zama

    Battle of Zama
    Battle of Zama: Hannibal Barca, leader of the invading Carthaginian army, defeated by Roman legions under Scipio Africanus.
  • 215

    Capitoline Hill

    Capitoline Hill
    215 B.C. - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Lake Trasimene.
  • 216

    Battle of Cannae

    Battle of Cannae
    216 B.C. - Carthaginian army lead by Hannibal defeats numerically superior Roman army under command consuls Lucius Aemilius Paullus and Gaius Terentius Varro.
  • 217

    Battle of Raphia

    Battle of Raphia
    217 B.C. - Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom.
  • Battle of Pydna

    Battle of Pydna
    168 B.C. - Romans under Lucius Aemilius Paullus defeat and capture Macedonian King Perseus, ending the Third Macedonian War.
  • Ptolemy V

    Ptolemy V
    Ptolemy V ascends to the throne of Egypt.
  • Battle of the Trebia

    Battle of the Trebia
    218 B.C. - Hannibal's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Roman Republic.