ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA/EGYPT

Sargon king of the Akkadians, led his people to conquer Sumerians. Unified Mesopotamia. Dynasty
ruled for 200 yrs, overthrown by 3rd dynasty of Ur
Hammurabi greatest king of Amorites (Old Babylonian). Famous for Hammurabis code: eye for an
eye, tooth for a tooth.
Ahmose nobleman who drove Hyksos out of Egypt and ruled New Kingdom
Amenhotep IV/Akhenaton. Egyptian Pharaoh who singled out Aton as the only God worthy of
worship first attempt at monotheism. Took power from priests who worshipped several gods.
Focused more on inner spirit and personal enrichment.
Nebuchadnezzar II deported Hebrews from Judah, held them captive in Babylon as slaves, e.g.
Babylonian Captivity. Also built huge temple for his wife, hanging gardens ancient wonder of the
world.
*Cyrus the Great:
o founded Persian empire.
o Appreciation for diversity.
o Did not tax heavily
o practiced religious tolerance
o allowed limited local autonomy
o allowed hebrews to return to Jerusalem (diaspora).
Alexander the Great Macedonian king who defeated Persian empire.
Zoroaster Persian prophet. Monetheism: Good (ahura mazda) vs. evil (ahriman)
Saul David Solomon line of jewish kings. Their dynasty continued in south, in Judah.
Northern half split up into 10 tribes.
Lycurgus Lycurgan code. Sparta.

ANCIENT GREECE

ATHENS
Draco- Spartan tyrant. Curbed noble power but didnt address agrarian crisis. Makes everyone
punishable by same law regardless of class.
*Solon- elected archon. addressed agrarian crisis but didnt appease radicals.
o Constitution.
o cancelled debts, restored slaves freedom, but did NOT redistribute land.
o Council of 400, ekklesia (assembly), public courts.
o People divided by wealth, depending on units of land. Calvary (rich) infantry
rowers (poor).
*Pesistratus- tyrant. Benevolent, peaceful. Party pesistratus.
o funded public works
o encouraged festivals
o enlarged marketplace/agora
o Exiled enemies, staffed self with supporters.
*Cleisthenes- big democratic reforms.
o township/demes replaces brotherhoods
o 4 major aristocratic tribes 10 tribes that include everyone.
o Council of 500 replaces 400, made up of reps from every deme.
o All power given to assembly/ekklesia (all male citizens).
o OSTRACISM.
*Pericles - Recognized that poorest thetes/rowers basically won the war against Persia (the Salami
trick). Pericles think power of the people, payable, Parthenon, plague:
o Shifted more power to them, less from aeropagus.
o Made office-holding a PAYABLE job. Now poor people could do it.
o *construx of Parthenon (temple to Athena on acropolis)
o Died inside walls of Athena thanks to plague
Philip of Macedon Invades Greece after Pelo. war, unifies them again. Aliiance is League of
Corinth.
Alexander the Great Same guy from Mesopotamia. Philips son.

o
o
o
o

Overthrew persians, unified eastern med/near east, created largest empire yet.
Eventually King of Persia.
Tired men mutinied on borders of India.
Died suddenly of unk causes at age 33.

CLASSICAL POETS (still Greek)

Homer ILIAD (myceneanen siege of troy). ODYSSEY (king of ithace odysseus travels home after
Trojan war).
Hesiod most important greek poet. Wrote works and days, theogony.
Archilochus greek lyricist who pioneered new poetic form. Think lochus/locomotive, moved
poetry.
Sappho of Lesbos wrote about her sexual attraction to other women
Pindar wrote odes of victory at athletic events. Think Pindar for the winnars.
TRAGEDY
Aeschylus moral and religious. Prometheus bound, the persians, orestesia trilogy.
Sophocles religious and moral. Oedipus, antigone
Euripides less popular. Less moral/religious, greater psychological sophistication. Medea. Good guy
doesnt always win.
COMEDY
Aristophanes wrore about stupidity of pelopenesian war. Poked fun at Euripides, wrote about
Socrates as absent minded in The Clouds. Think Aristophanes/cellophane (bubble wrap) funny.
PROSE
Herodotus father of history historian wrote about Persian wars.first to divide civilization
east/west. Think Herodotus = Hero of History. Dot = dotted line divides East/West.
Thucydides historian wrote about pelopenesian war. Ex-general in war, went on to interview both
sides. Documented funeral oration of pericles to honor Athenian soldiers who died. Think
Thucydides, both sides
PRE-SOCRATICS
Heraclitus prime substance is fire. Change/permanence. cannot step in same river twice. Think
Cleatus/Cleat in the river
Empedocles theory of 4 elements, earth water air fire
Democritus things are made up of atoms. Think demo=group, groups of atoms
Pythagoras everything can be described thru math. Rememeber the Pythagorean theorem from
algebra!
MEDICINE
Hippocrates of Cos father of medicine. Hippocratic oath.
Socrates Plato Aristotle.
Plato: Socrates most dedicated student.
o founded The Academy.
o Theory of Ideas/forms.
o TIMAEUS: describes creation of universe.
o Not a believer in democracy wrongfully put Socrates to death.
o Ideal city is 3 classes: philosopher kings guardians - workers
Aristotle platos most gifted pupil.
o Founded Lyceum.
o Also disagrees with democracy.
o Monarchy vs. tyranny
o Aristrocracy vs. oligarchy
o Polity vs. democracy
GREEK SCIENTISTS

Eratosthenes accurately calc circumference of earth. Erat = earth.

Aristarchus heliocentric theory, earth revolves around sun. Starchus=star kiss.
Archimedes give me a level long enough and a place to stand and I will move the world.
Euclid math book Elements
Hipparchus developed astrolabe
ANCIENT ROME
Cato the elder: Carthage must be destroyed, 2nd punic war. Also wrote On agriculture.
Scipio the elder: won 2nd punic war for rome.
Scipio the younger: eventually wins 3rd punic war, destroys carthage.
Justininan - launched war against ostrogoths and reclaimed italy. Justinians code. Theodora.
Marcus Aurelius stoic, wrote meditations. Established dangerous foederati with germans.
**Constantine the great Edict of Milan. 3 councils. Est capital of Constantinople in Byzantium
(abandons rome).
Gracchi Bros. Tiberius and Gaius. both executed for being reformists. Big contribution is state
subsidy to buy bread.
Marius major breech of precedent as he is elected consul for several years in a row. Paid troops and
provided them with land. Dangerous, as they are now loyal to him and not the nation.
1st triumverate Julius Caesar (Pompey, Crassus)
2nd triumverate Augustus Caesar (Ledipus, Marc Antony)
Diocletian despot.
Hates christians for not worshipping emperor.
Saved rome with tetrarchy, dioceses, vicars etc.
Makes farmers tied to land (early serfdom)
Makes sons follow fathers trade (early guild).
St. Augustine of Hippo N. African bishop who refutes pagans blame of Christianity for disaster in
Rome. Wrote theological interpretation The City of God about world history. LINEAR concept of time.
Autobiography: The Confessions.
St. Jerome - translates bible Hebrew/Greek into Latin (vulgate)
St. Ambrose of Milan forced Theodosius to do public penance under excommunication. Showed
people whats up with Christianity.
LITERATURE
Ennius earliest poet. Hx of rome in Annales. eNNius aNNales
Catallus - Love lyrics about unfaithful mistress. CataLLus: LL= love lyrics
Lucretius - on the nature of things. Epicurean views.
Plautus, Terence - comedies (terence was ex-slave). Plautus = Platypus, Terrence = Terrence &
Philip. Funny.
PROSE
Cato the elder On Agriculture. (Dont forget, Carthage must also be destroyed!)
Cicero most accomplished. Senator, lawyer, orator. Big Stoic. Executed by Marc antony when he
spoke against him in Philippics.
GOLDEN AGE
Virgil wrote Aenid, legendary foundation of rome.
Horace - lyricist
Ovid Metamorphoses. On the Art of Love. Executed for affair with royal family member :-O
SILVER AGE
Tacitus Germania. Praises barbarians.
Seneca Stoic. Wrote tragedies, executed by Nero. SeNEca: S=stoic, NE=Nero Executed
Lucan Pharsalia, about civil war between pompey/Caesar. Also executed by Nero.

SATIRISTS: Persius, Petronius, Juvenal

LATER
Apuleius the golden ass, first latin novel.
Marcus Aurelius Stoic. Wrote Meditations. Dont forget, also responsible for Foederati.
Galen - systemic theory of medicine. Will be studied later in universities.
Ptolemy - Almagest, book of astronomy. Mathematical proof supports geocentric theory.
ENCYCLOPEDIAISTS: Macrobius, Martianus Capella. Think Macrobes & Martians.
NEOPLATONISTS: Plotinus, Porphry, Iamblichus, Proclus
MIDDLE AGES
POPES.
Gregory of Tours - historian
Gregory the Great:
o sent roman monks to convert Britain pagans.
o Negotiated with lombards and paid them with land.
o used wealth to feed poor, maintain public works, spiritual leadership.
o One of the Doctors of the Church.
o Commentary on the book of job known as Moralia
o Dialogues recount life of St Benedict of Nursia
Gregory VII first pope elected by college of cardinals.
o Reformer; Gregorian Mvmt named after him.
o Enforce clerical celibacy, end sale of church offices, end lay interference in religious matters
o Butt heads with Henry IV over investiture contro. Pope eventually exiled by Henry.
Pope Gregory IX - Began inquisition to get rid of cathars who survived Albigensian crusade.
Entrusted this to Dominican monks. Also went after waldensians.
Leo I told Atilla not to attack emperor
Leo III around during the Iconoclasm. Banned paintings of saints.
Leo X- pretty much a jerk. Part of Medici family. God has given us the papacy let us enjoy it.
John XII Pope at 18, infamously sinful. Crowned Otto I HR Emperor for help against enemies in Italy.
Then Otto replaces John with a better pope..good for him.
Pope Innocent III
Greedy 4th crusades at first was like not good, but then accepted it because new latin
byzantine empire were loyal people
o **4th Lateran Council defined rules of membership to Catholicism.
o Pope during height of papal monarchy.
o Persecuted cathars, waldensians.
o Declared Albigensian crusade.
o Refused to let Philip Augustus divorce his wife, said no to invading England.
o Excommunicated King John and put England under inderict.
Pope Boniface marked decline of papal power. Tried to implement unam sanctam (papal supremacy
over ruler). Roughed up by Philip IVs nobles, died soon after.
Pope Martin V voted in cooperation (Avignon/roman churchmen), ending great schism.
Sylvester II. AKA Gebert of Aurillac.
o First Frenchman to have title of pope
o Appointed by Otto III because both were committed to reform.
o Invented pendulum clock.
o Often traveled to spain to meet with arab and jewish scholars to acquire learning in greek
classical lit.
o Acquired Arabic numerals and inspired subsequent trips to acquire astrolabes, translation of
ancient science texts.
Pope Urban II began crusades at council of Clermont because Byzantine empire asked him for help
pushing muslim turks out.
o

Pope Paul III First strong pope in a while.

o ***Council of Trent. His answer to protestants + also channeled new catholic initiatives of
genuine piety & faith. Council of trent, think ProtesTRENT.
o Approved Jesuits/society of jesus.
o Initiated roman inquisition & Index of prohibited books.
FRANKISH KINGS
-MerovingiansClovis most important Merovingian king. Franks convert to Catholicism under his reign. Attacks
arian neighbors, est. large empire.
Later merovingians = do nothing kings
-Carolingians- Charles Pepin Charlemagne
Charles Martel - originally held mayor of the palace during Merovingian rule. led Frankish defense
against muslims at battle of tours, prevented islam from spreading beyond spain
Pepin the Short - not happy as a mayor, wants to be king. Helps Pope Stephen II against Lombards,
pope crowns him king of Franks. Donation of Pepin = papal states
***Charlemagne - Pope Leo III crowns him king of the empire. Hes all about higher education!
o Used missi dominici to check up on bishops/counts
o Founded schools to train clergy
o encouraged Benedictine rule in monasteries
o gathered finest scholars in his court.
o Encouraged Latin to be used in entire empire.
o Wanted to make vulgate available had it re written in Carolingian miniscule script.
ENGLISH KINGS
Alfred the Great most important leader of Wessex (unifier of 7 anglo saxon kingdoms). Divided
them into shires.
William the Conqueror - previous duke of Normandy, beat out other 2 guys for control of anglosaxon kingdom/England.
Combined English shires with feudal system of Normandy.
Domesday book.
**Henry II Angevin King of england but owns more of France than French monarchy. Think Henry
TWO countries.
o Promotion of common law.
o Example of how marriage/dynastic ties were used in Europe.
o Controlled more of france than the monarch did:
o Inhereited county of Anjou and Duchy of Normandy from dad
o Territories in southwestern france thru marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine
o Kingdom of England through his mom, Matilda
o Later invades Ireland
*Thomas A Becket - opposes Henry IIs attempt to try churchmen in legal courts. Becket
eventually murdered by Henrys knights. Canterbury tales are about pilgrimage to Beckets
grave.
**Henry VIII requested annulment of marriage to Catherine of Aragon because she failed to produce
male heir denied by Clement VII (a Medici).
Henry breaks away from rome, declares king more religiously powerful than pope
Bad stuff:
o divorces Catherine + marries 5 more times (think Henry EIGHT wives ..almost)
o closes monasteries
o took possession of church property
o required subjects to take oath of supremacy recognizing his religious authority.
o Executes Thomas More.
Good stuff:
o Used lands seized from church to build up new class of loyal nobles
o Boosted national sentiment by working closely with parliament
o Built up English fleet

o Fought limited wars on the continent

Richard I Richard the Lion Hearted.
o 3rd Crusades (with Frederick and Philip).
o Massacred >2000 muslim POWs. Still didnt win Jerusalem. Nice job.
o His brother John made concession called magna carta, which protected barons from royal
attempts to extend powers of monarchy
FRANCE
Phillip II Augustus - able to challenge most powerful vassals (such as Henry II)/Angevins.
Pope Innocent forbade him from invading England, forbade him from divorcing wife.
Louis IX monarchs authority over lands of vassals was strengthened; royal bureaucracy built up.
Participated in crusades. St. Louis.
**Philip IV the Fair - not really that fair? MONEY HUNGRY. St. Louis grandson.
Calls first Estates-General (clergy, nobles, berghers).
Clash with popes:
o Clement V: was persuaded to move papacy to Avignon. self-imposed exile of papacy
o Boniface: died after being roughed up by philips men (after unam sanctam attempt by
pope)
Preoccupied with raising money:
o Destroyed knights templar (jealous of wealth, accused them of being devil worshipers)
o Expelled jews from france and seized posessions
o Debased currency
o Used lawyers to negotiate tax agreements/manipulate feudal law (more legitamate
means)
EASTERN EUROPE
Genghis Khan - leader of mongols
Cyril, Methodius monks who gave Cyrillic alphabet to pagan people. Easter Europe finally enters
written history! More to study yay thx guyz.
Jagiello & Jadqiga - Lithuanian ruler marries polish queen, Lithuania is finally catholic.
El Cid legendary, non-religious reconquistador
Albrecht of Hohenzollern grand master of Teutonic knights who converts to Lutheranism; His
dynasty united germany in 19th cent.
John Wycliffe English reformer.
o Critical of church hierarchy & emphasized bible over clerical teachings.
o Rejected transubstantiation
o translated vulgate into English for one to interpret as he/she sees fit
o Followers = lollards
John Huss influenced by Wycliffe. bohemian/Czech reformer accused of heresy. Burned at stake after
council of constance HUSSITE WARS, end in compromise between hussites and cath church
MIDDLE AGES CULTURE
Peter Abelard assoc with rise of paris as center of theology. Wrote Sic et Non (Yes and No). used
logic to resolve contradiction in scripture and church fathers. **Affair w/ his student Heloise they are
caught, he is castrated & becomes monk, she becomes nun. Awesome
John of Salisbury political thinker, described midevil society as human body (king is head). Think
society is a piece of meat, Salisbury steak.
Marsilius of Padua wrote Defender of the Peace, argued all political authority is derived from the
people. Opposed papal political power or even religious power; favored laymen councils to govern
church
William Ockham Nominalist. Ockhams razor- requires logical explanation for existence of any
presumed entity; reduces everything to smallest # of elements. Did not use against Catholicism, but
against schoalstics who tried to use reason to explain religion eg rejects St Thomas aquina
(Thomism)
Roger Bacon scientists. Knew formula for gunpowder. worked to develop experimental science.
Robert Grosseteste also worked to develop experimental science

Albert the Great tradition of making careful observations in science

Jean buridan, Nicole oresme thought experiments. Challenge aristotles theory of motion with
impetus theory; almost correct in momentum theory
St Thomas Aquinas - Dominican friar.
o Wrote Summa theologiae.
o Reconcile faith and reason Catholicism meets greek philosophy.
o Used aristotles substance and accident to explain transubstantiation. Become
actual substance without changing appearance, accidental quality.
Robert de Sorbon built one of the first colleges
Dante Alighieri Italian writer/politica figure from florence, wrote Divine Comedy while in exile. 3
parts inferno, purgatorio, paradiso - guide is virgil. Also wrote about woman, beatrice
***franceso Petrarch NOT a political figure even though his dad wanted him to be a lawyer. another
Florentine author. revived pure latin.
o Love sonnets about Laura.
o Decameron: collection of bawdy stories told by people staying in countryside to escape
black death.
o The Secret: introspective work where he converses with St Augustine of Hippo.
o The africa: about punic wars
o FATHER of resnaissance humanism. advocated imitating latin style, especially Cicero.
Opposed scholastic theologians and canon lawyers and universties too cold, abstract.
Medevial culture = dark age of barbarism. Divides western civ into ancient, Medieval
and modern phases. Named poet laureate by roman senate.
Boethius - devoted to plato, Aristotle (think BOTH/boethius). Wrote neoplatonic text Consolation of
Philosophy; translated Aristotle logical tool Organon.
Giotto gothic fresco painter. Transformed 2D to 3D by adding illusion of depth, move toward
naturalism and emphasizing human rather than divine. Inspires Italian renaissance, but is not a part
of it.
Martianus Capella, Cassiodorus, Isidore of Seville encylopeadists, preserve ancient learning
Averroes muslim arab scholar. aristotles works often read alongside his commentary.
Alfarabi, Avicenna other arab scholars
Maimonides most influential jewish thinker. guide for the perpelexed attempted to harmonize
reason/revelation
RENAISSANCE/REFORMATION
**Charles V King Ferdinand/Queen Isabella (Spanish inquis.)s grandson. originally Charles I of
Spain, becomes V when he is HRE. Netherlands, sicily, southern italy. First king of unified spain. Pretty
peaceful rule. In old age, divided empire, giving spain and netherlands to son Philip II and brother
Ferdinand I to receive imperial title. Retires to monastery, dies there.
**Petrarch encourages Philology (study of historical linguistics); to recover ancient works in
monasteries and study them
Lorenzo Valla inspired by Petrarch. proves forgery of donation of Constantine
Giovanni Boccaccio also from Florence, also inspired by Petrarch
Colucci salutati, Leonardo bruni inspired by Petrarch but with political spin civic humanism
Marsilio Ficino translated complete works of plato for the first time ever (greek latin). Also
translated neoplatonists such as Plotinus
Girolamo Savonarola Dominican preacher, railed against luxury of medici age. Bonfire of the
vanities. Eventually excommunicated and burned at stake when pope alex VI said he was a dangerous
fanatic
Niccoli Machiavelli statesman who urged political unification of italy. wrote the prince as appeal to
medici to orovide leader that all italians could rally around a despot who uses ANY means to attain
ends; flexible, ignore Christian teachings; most reliable troops are rhose who are defending homes
and families rather than for pay. However The Discourses (he also wrote) push for representative
govt. Desperate times, desperate measures. Wrote both works while in exile.
Tomas de Toruemada dreaded 1st inquisator in Spanish inq.
Mosaccio improves upon giottos 3d by adding a linear element to paintings.

Michelangelo st peter basilica dome, sistene chapel, Pieta (mother/Christ), 17 ft tall David statue.
Poet.
Donatello bronze David is first nude statuee
Raphael master painter
Leonardo da vinci mona lisa, last supper. Designed canons, canal locks, imagined flight machines
Pico della Mirandola Oration on the Dignity of Man. Student of marsilio ficino. Cabbala + magic, but
fell under influence of Savonarola eventually.
Albrecht Durer famous realism painter, also prominent in engraving with woodcuts
Desiderius Erasmus greek edition of newtestament. Commentary, latin translation to correct
Vulgate. Praise of Folly. Wanted to reform church from within. Inspired Thomas more
More Inspired by Erasmus. Wrote Utopia (satirical essay criticizing English society). Executed by
Henry VIII.
Johannes Reuchilin encouraged study of languages for better understanding of scripture. Mastered
greek to read new testament, then Hebrew to read old testament. Published Hebrew grammar,
comvinced HRi maximilian to reject inquisitions call to burn Talmud.
***Erasmus, More, Reuclin & dEtaples are loyal to catholic church but inspire people who are not
(eventually .. protestants)
Martin Luther theologian, Augustinian friar.
o Rejects priesthood, mass, transubstantiation (replaced with consubstantiation).
o Ninety Five Theses in response to sale of indulgences.
o Refused to recant at Diet of Worms. Scripture + self conscience are the only sources of
religious authority.
o Protected by secular prince Frederick, Elector of Saxony.
o Printing press helped spread message.
o Wrote on Christian liberty and small catechism which outlines Lutheran creed.
o First german translation of bible.
o Tendency of tolerance of people til they dont share his views (german peasants, jews)
then aids in their suppression.
Ulrich Zwingli inspired by Luther.
o Convinced council of Zurich to reject papal power and abolish many catholic practices
(fasting, monasticism, clerical celibacy, processions, use of music in services, iconism,
veneration of saint relics).
o Transubstantiation rejected.
o *disagreed with luther over eucharist merely symbolic, no presence or
transformation at all.
o Killed in battle of Kappel while acting as chaplain
John Calvin after generation of Zwingle/Luther, dominates protestant movement.
o Est theocracy in Geneva.
o Supported execution of Michael Servetus for denying holy trinity.
o Wrote Institutes of Christian Religion.
o Stressed utter dependence on god, gods mercy.
o **double predestination. Calvinists in france = huguenots.
St Ignatius of Loyola Society of Jesus/Jesuits (approved by P Paul III). Wrote Spiritual Exercises.
**invention of the wheel 3500-3000 BC
**first peace treaty Hittites & Egyptians
Religion

Geography

Mespotamia
King=rep of God
Gods are anthropomorphic, act like
humans
Afterlife is gloomy, wandering
Tigris/Euphrates flood
violently/unexpectedly, affects
agriculture
Wide open, vulnerable to attack from

Egypt
Syncretism
Pharoah=God
Gods are more animalistic or hybrid
Afterlife is bright, happy
(mummification)
Nile floods gently and predictably,
better agriculture
Surrounded by desert, better protection

multiple angles

1. Dates/Era

2. Overview

BRONZE AGE: With the beginning of writing came the first period
3500 B.C. - A.D. considered historical. This was still a very ancient
1500
period, part of the Bronze Age, and before the time
when the Trojan War, if it happened, would have taken
place.
1500-1000 B.C. This was the period when, if the Trojan War is real, it
probably happened.

It probably corresponds with the time of the Biblical

Book of Exodus.
Vedic period in the Indus Valley.
IRON AGE
Homer is thought to have written his epics, The Iliad
STARTS: 1000- and The Odyssey. It is the time when Rome was
500 B.C.
founded. The Persians were expanding their empire in
the eastern Mediterranean. It is thought this was the
period of the famous Biblical kings, or at least
Samuel, and later, the time of the Babylonian
Captivity.

3. Main
Events/Places
Writing Begins

Pyramid Building
in Egypt
Greco-Roman

Central/Eastern
Asia
Greco-Roman

CLASSICAL
ANTIQUITY
STARTS: 500
B.C. - A.D. 1

1 - A.D. 500

Dates/Era

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

It was during this period that Greece flourished,

Greco-Roman
fought the Persians, was conquered by the
Macedonians, and later the Romans; the Romans got
rid of their kings, established the Republican form of
government and then started the rule by emperors. In
the later years of this period, in Biblical History, the
Ancient Near
Seleucids were the monarchs under whom the
Hasmonean and then the Herodian kings arose. The East
Central/Eastern
Maccabees were Hasomneans.
Asia
This was the first period in which Christianity became Greco-Roman
important, when the Romans suffered barbarian
incursions, and declined. In Jewish history, this was
Ancient Near
the period of the Bar Kokhba revolt from Roman rule East
and the time of the writing of the Mishnah and
Septuagint. It is the end of the ancient period and the
beginning of the Medieval era.
Central/Eastern
Asia
Overview
Main
Events/Places

4TH MILLENNIUM B.C.

3200 Civilization is said to have begun at Sumer.
3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.
2560 Building of the Great Pyramid of Cheops at Giza.
2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.
1900- The Minoan Period - Crete.
1300
1795- Hammurabi, who wrote the first legal code, conquered Mesopotamia, the
1750 land between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.
1200 Fall of Troy - if there was a Trojan War.
1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
995
Hebrew King David captured Jerusalem.
8th Century B.C.
780-560 Greeks sent settlers to create colonies in Asia Minor.

8
9
10
11

12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31

32
33
34
35
36
37
38

776
753

Legendary start of the Ancient Olympics.

Legendary founding of Rome. [See Ancient Rome Timeline.]
7th Century B.C.
621
Greek lawgiver Draco.
612
Nineveh (Babylonian capital) captured, marking the end of the Assyrian
Empire.
6th Century B.C.
594
Solon became archon and wrote laws for Athens. Archons replaced kings
as rulers in Athens, but there were 9 of them and their time in office was
more limited than that of a king.
588
Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem. Jews of Judea
were exiled to Babylon.
585
Thales predicts a solar eclipse.
546-538 King Cyrus of Persia and the Medes defeated Croesus and captured
Lydia. Cyrus freed Jews in Babylon.
509
Traditional date for the founding of the Roman Republic.
508
Athenian Democracy established by Cleisthenes
5th Century B.C.
499
Greek city-states revolted against Persian rule.
492-449 Persian Wars
490
Battle of Marathon
480
Thermopylae
479
Salamis and Plataea
483
Buddha - In 483 Gautama Buddha died.
479
Confucius died.
461-429 Age of Pericles and 431-404 Peloponnesian War
4th Century B.C.
371
Battle at Leuctra - Sparta defeated.
346
Peace of Philocrates - Philip forced Athens to accept a peace treaty with
Macedonia marking the end of Greek independence.
336
Alexander The Great rules Macedonia [See Alexander Timeline.]
334
Battle of Granicus - Alexander the Great fought the Persians and won.
333
Battle of Issus - Macedonian forces under Alexander defeated the
Persians.
331
Battle of Gaugamela - defeat of Darius III, King of Persia, in October 331
at Gaugamela near Arbela.
3rd Century B.C.
276
Eratosthenes measures the Earth's circumference.
265-241 First Punic War / 218 - 201 B.C. 2nd Punic War - Hannibal / 149-146 Third
Punic War
221
Great Wall of China Building begun during the Qin Dynasty. The wall was
built along 1,200 miles of China's northern border.
215-148 The Macedonian Wars lead to Rome's control of Greece.
206
Start of the Han Dynasty.
2nd Century B.C.
135
The first Servile War - The slaves of Sicily revolted against Rome.
133-123 The Gracchi.

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45
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56
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58
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60

1st Century B.C.

91-88 The Social War - Revolt of the Italians who wanted Roman citizenship.
89-84 The Mithridatic Wars - between Mithridates of Pontus and Rome.
60
Pompey, Crassus and Julius Caesar form the 1st Triumvirate. [See Caesar
Timeline.]
55
Caesar invades Britain. [See Roman Britain Timeline.]
49
Caesar's Campaigns and Caesar crosses the Rubicon.
44
Ides of March (March 15) Caesar assassinated.
43
2nd Triumvirate - Mark Antony, Octavian and M Aemillius Lepidus.
31
Battle of Actium - Antony and Cleopatra defeated. Soon after, Augustus
(Octavian) became 1st emperor of Rome. [See Cleopatra Timeline.]
c. 3
Jesus was born.
1st Century A.D.
9
German tribes destroyed 3 Roman legions under P. Quinctilius Varnus in
theTeutoberg Forest.
64
Rome burned while Nero (supposedly) fiddled.
79
Mount Vesuvius Erupted covering Pompeii and Herculaneum.
2nd Century A.D.
122
Hadrian's Wall was begun as a defensive wall to stretch 70 miles across
Northern England.
3rd Century A.D.
212
Edict of Caracalla extended Roman citizenship to all free inhabitants of
the Empire.
284-305 Age of Diocletian - Diocletian divided empire into 4 administrative units.
From then on, there was usually more than one head of Rome.
4th Century A.D.
313
Decree of Milan legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire.
324
Constantine the Great established his capital at Byzantium
(Constantinople)
378
Emperor Valens killed by the Visigoths at the Battle at Adrianople.
5th Century A.D.
410
Rome sacked by the Visigoths.
451
Attila the Hun faced the Visigoths and Romans together in the Battle of
Chalons. He went on to invade Italy, but was convinced to withdraw by
Pope Leo. He died in 453
455
Vandals sacked Rome.
476
Western Roman Empire ended - Emperor Romulus Augustulus was
removed from office.