Athens

Ancient Greek Civilization

By Jaime Chaney
  • Period: 1100 BCE to 800 BCE

    The "Dark Ages"

    The interval between the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization and the first signs of the Greek Poleis.
  • Period: 1100 BCE to 800 BCE

    Civilization in the Dark Ages

    Migrations/invasions develop in to two different civilizations. The Dorian and the Ionians.The Dorian become the Spartans and Ionians become the Athenians.
  • Dark Ages- Phoenician Alphabet
    1000 BCE

    Dark Ages- Phoenician Alphabet

    Begin writing using a borrowed Phoenician alphabet
  • Dark Ages- Homer's Works
    750 BCE

    Dark Ages- Homer's Works

    Homer writes his narrative epics The Iliad and The Odyssey.These epics were not just centered around mythology, but they explored thoughts and feelings of people and characters.
  • Period: 650 BCE to 600 BCE

    Politics- The Draconian Period

    Draco meaning "Dragon". Was the first legislator to create a written law. Created a very harsh legal code. Under his authority almost all crimes were punishable by death.
  • Period: 594 BCE to 560 BCE

    Politics- Solon's Reform

    Eliminates Draco's legal code and limits the role of the aristocrats. Greatly improve conditions for the poor and opens the pathway to democracy by permitting all male citizens to participate in the Assembly.
  • Period: 560 BCE to 527 BCE

    Politics- Pisistratus

    The son of Hippocrates and friend to Solon. Despite being labeled as a tyrant, Pisistratus was a popular ruler, reducing taxes, helping the poor and disabled, and promoted architecture and culture.
  • Politics- Cleisthenes
    515 BCE

    Politics- Cleisthenes

    Breaks aristocratic hold in Athens. The founder of Athenian democracy. Introduced the idea of ostracism, where you could publicly vote to exile a person.
  • Period: 499 BCE to 479 BCE

    Warfare- The Persian Wars

    Greeks of Asia Minor rebel against Persians.
  • Period: 495 BCE to 429 BCE

    Art- Pericles

    A period of outstanding achievements in art, sculpture, drama, and architecture.
  • 490 BCE

    Warfare- Darius I invaded Attica

    Greeks defeat Persians at Marathon.
  • Warfare- Xerxes Invades
    480 BCE

    Warfare- Xerxes Invades

    Xerxes invades the Greek city states with 250,000 men and 500 ships. The Greek city-states unite to form the Delian League to oppose the invasion.
  • 479 BCE

    Warfare- Battle of Platea

    Significant land victory for the Greeks. This Triggers the "Golden Age" for Athens.Athens becomes de Facto leader of the Delian League
  • 472 BCE

    Art- Aeschylus 525-456 BCE

    The first of the Greek dramatists.Often described as the father of tragedy. His tragedy " The Persians" is his oldest surviving play, believed to be written in 472 bce
  • Warfare- Peloponnesian League invades Platea
    431 BCE

    Warfare- Peloponnesian League invades Platea

    Damage is inflicted to Athens, but plague kills 33% of Athenians.
  • Art- Euripides (485-406 BCE)
    431 BCE

    Art- Euripides (485-406 BCE)

    Euripides was born in Athens, Greece, around 485 B.C. He became one of the best-known and most influential dramatists in classical Greek culture. The tragedy he is probably most famous for, Medea, was written in 431 BCE
  • Period: 431 BCE to 404 BCE

    Warfare- Peloponnesian War

    The Delian League (ATHENS) versus Peloponnesian League(Sparta)
  • Art -Sophocles (496-406 BCE)
    425 BCE

    Art -Sophocles (496-406 BCE)

    Greek tragedian whose known for being the first playwright to add a third actor. His most famous works " Oedipus the King" was written in 425 BCE
  • 421 BCE

    Warfare- Truce?

    After the devastation from plague, Athenians call for a truce.
  • Warfare- Sparta resumes fight with Athens
    404 BCE

    Warfare- Sparta resumes fight with Athens

    After Athens attempts to colonize Sicily, Sparta resumes the war with Athens and defeats the city. End of Athenian Hegemony