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331
Alexander the Great of Macedonia defeats the Persian Empire and spreads Greek culture throughout the region. (331 BCE)
Alexander the Great became king of Persia, Babylon, and Asia. In 336, following the death of King Phillip II, he decided to become king of Macedon by any and all means. He had the Macedonian army help kill other potential heirs, and his mother murdered Phillip's daughter as well as persuading his wife, Cleopatra, to kill herself.
After the fall of Persia, Alexander created the city of Alexandria. He was named "King of Babylon, King of Asia, King of the Four Quarters of the World." -
400
Hippocrates practices and studies medicine. (400s BCE)
Hippocrates was an Ancient Greek physician who influenced modern medicine and various fields of science. In addition to that, he is seen as representing the ethics and humanity of medical professions. -
404
Sparta defeats Athens; the Peloponnesian War ends. (404 BE)
The Peloponnesian War came to an end when Athens surrended after its navy was defeated. The war had wrecked the Athenian economy and left the state in a state of poverty. Athens was never able to regain its former wealth. -
431
The Peloponnesian War begins between Sparta and Athens (431 BCE)
The Peloponnesian War was an Ancient Greek war between the two main city-states, Athens, Sparta, and their respective allied colonies. Although Athens and Sparta had fought before the Peloponnesian War, they had agreed to a Thirty Years' Treaty. Athens had violated the treaty, so Sparta threatened war. Pericles, the Athenian ruler, encouraged them not to surrender, and so, the war began. -
507
A democratic constitution sets rules for governance in Athens. (507 BCE)
This event occured in Athens.
The democracy was founded by Cleisthenes, and only male citizens could participate in it.
The democracy being founded was an important event. Because of it, Athens is regarded as the "birthplace of democracy," and this government system is now used in many countries. -
Socrates is sentenced to death on charges of corrupting the young with his ideas and teachings. (399 BCE)
Socrates was a philospher that can be seen as one of the wisest people of all time. He sought to improve Athens morally and intellectually by preaching justice, virtue, and devotion. It is speculated that he was tried for corrupting youths after two of his students, Alcibiades and Critias, betrayed Athens. -
Period: to 460
Pericles rules in Athens. (460-429 BCE)
Pericles created the acropolis and was also one of the most influential statesmen of Greece. He made laws that allowed the poor to see theatre performances for free, gave the public the opportunity to speak for their problems, and believed that every rich man should help fund building of temples or promotions of theatres, among other influential actions for that time period.