Evan Buchanan Greek Event Timeline

  • Period: 499 BCE to 449

    Persian Wars

    The Persian Wars started in 499 BCE, and lasted till 449 BCE. The Persian Empire tried to conquer Greece 3 times in this period, and failed all 3 times, leading to Greece’s victory, and the start of the Golden Age. The three battles were the Battle of Marathon, the Battle of Thermopylae, and the Battle of Salamis.
  • Period: 479 BCE to 431 BCE

    The Golden Age of Athens

    The Golden Age of Athens was a period of time between the Persian Wars and the Peloponnesian Wars (479BCE - 431BCE) were Athens had become extremely powerful as an army and in the Delian league, as well as extremely wealthy. During this time period, Athens culture thrived (Sculptures, Theatre Arts, Philosophy, and Democracy.) Athens achieved many things during this time like the Parthenon, Plays, Art, and much more. Athens wealth and power is what lead to the Peloponnesian Wars.
  • 478 BCE

    Delian League

    The Delian League was an alliance of Greek city-states led by Athens and formed in 478 BCE to liberate eastern Greek cities from Persian rule and as a defence to possible revenge attacks from Persia following the Greek victories at Marathon, Salamis, and Plataea in the early 5th century BCE. The alliance of over 300 cities would eventually be so dominated by Athens that, in effect, it evolved into the Athenian empire.
  • Period: 431 BCE to 404 BCE

    Peloponnesian Wars

    Athens quickly became very wealthy and powerful due to the spark of the Golden age. With the Persian threat gone, many city-states wanted to leave the Delian League due to very high membership fees. Athens conquered and enslaved any city-state that left the league. To counter this, Sparta created the Peloponnesian League. This caused the Delian League and Peloponnesian League to start a war against each other.
  • Period: 430 BCE to 426 BCE

    Athens Plague Outbreak

    While the citizens of Athens were behind the city walls for protection from the Spartan attack, the Bubonic plague spread throughout the city and killed ⅓ of the Athens population, being ~250,000 to 300,000 people, due to them being so crammed together behind the Athens city walls. The plague broke out in 430 BCE, and ended in 426 BCE. This plague outbreak, as well as Sparta’s attack made Athens extremely weak, leading to Alexander the Great’s conquering of Greece.
  • 404 BCE

    Persian Empire’s Conquering of Greece

    After the Peloponnesian Wars, Sparta and Athens were left in a very weak state. Athens had suffered a devastating plague outbreak, and Sparta had just finished their attack on Athens. Alexander The Great, Persia’s leader, had realised how weakened Greece was, and took the opportunity to conquer them, and grow his empire. Alexander was crowned king of the persian empire at only age 20. He had trained and educated his army very well, that conquering Greece took little to no time and effort.
  • 323 BCE

    Alexander The Great’s Death

    Alexander The Great died at the age of 32. When he was just 30 years old, he had created one of the biggest empires in ancient history. He is considered one of history’s most successful military commanders. As of right now, we don’t know exactly who or what killed Alexander, but a few of the theories circling his death are malaria, typhoid, alcohol poisoning, or poison by a foe. His death led to the Persian Empire being split between his 4 most honored and best commanders, weakening his empire.
  • 146 BCE

    Romans conquering Greece

    The Romans conquered Greece through the Battle of Corinth in. It was fought between the Roman Republic, the Greek city-state, Corinth and its allies in the Achaean League. The Greeks weren't able to resist the Roman attack due to Greece not being united all as one. The Delian League’s fall led to Greece being split. The Romans had very well planned ways of attacking the Greeks. They were able to outsmart and outlast the Greeks in the Battle of Corinth, leading to the Romans victory.