Approx.

Events & People

Time

3500 BC The wheel is used in Mesopotamia, modern day Iraq.

Start of the Mayan calendar. The Mayans had 20 days in their

3114 BC, month starting with day 0 and ending with day 19. They
August 13 understood zero not only as a place holder, but as a true counting
number.

Work begins on Stonehenge in England. Some of the stones came

from 240 miles away, the Preseli Mountains in southwestern
3100 BC
Wales. What possessed the Neolithic people to build such a
monument is still unknown.

2900 First Egyptian hieroglyphs appear.

Egyptians build first known dam called the Sadd el-Kafara, 37 ft

2750 tall, 348 ft wide of rubble masonry filled with 100,000 tons of
gravel and stone.

Egyptians create the 365 day calendar with the new year starting
2700
in June.

The Great Pyramid at Giza in Egypt is finished. It will be the

2560 tallest man-made structure for 3,800 years only being eclipsed
by St. Paul's Cathedral in 1240.

Minoan Bronze age culture on Crete develops hieroglyphic script

2000 BC
and extensive palace complex at Knossos.

Minoans "Linear A" create a syllabic script - still mostly

1650-1700 undeciphered. Scientist believe, unlike Linear B, it represents a
non-Greek language.

Minoan "Linear B" script is created and used until about 1200 BC.
1650 In 1953 Michael Ventris and John Chadwick decipher the text
and read the first inscription in 3,000 years.

1450 Minoan culture destroyed, perhaps by the Mycenaeans.

 Invasion of the Sea Peoples destroys Mycenaean civilization.
1200 Greece enters a 400 year "Dark Age"; writing is forgotten; cities
abandoned.

The Greeks and Ilium (another name for Troy, hence "The Iliad")
1185 BC
square off in the Trojan War.

1130 BC Iron used for weapons and tools.

1120 Magnetic compass invented

1100 Phoenicians develop alphabetic script

Chinese develop gunpowder by mixing saltpeter, charcoal, and

1000
sulfur and grinding carefully

750-700? Homer writes the Iliad and the Odyssey

Hesiod writes Theogony, ("Birth of the Gods"), which details a

750-680?
version of Greek mythology.

The Greek city of Elis hosts the first recorded athletic games to
honor Zeus on the Olympia plain (although the games may have
been held for hundreds of years before). Coroebus, a cook, won
776 the only event - a 192-meter race called the stade to become the
first recorded Olympic champion. Three other cities hold annual
athletic events to their deities, so the Olympic games are played
every four years.

Lycurgus gives laws to the Spartans which included the banning

of silver and gold, redistribution of all land, creation of a senate,
775-750
eating at public mess (so no dainty desire for expensive food
would develop), and forbidding all useless occupations.

According to legend, Rome is founded by Romulus, grandson of

753 BC, King Numitor of Alba Longa, and son of Mars. Twelve birds
April 21 circled overhead during the founding ceremonies and legend had
it that the city would survive for 12 centuries.
 Sparta conquers Messenia and forms Helot slavery. Having slaves
725 BC to do all the tedious work of farming allows the Spartans to
spend all their time in military training.

Earliest coins appear. Later, Lydian kingdom produces the first

650
true coins with guaranteed quality and weight.

650 Earliest writing in the Americas by the Olmec culture.

Draco publishes his harsh laws for Athens. Many crimes

621
punishable by death (hence the term 'Draconian').

600 Anaximander theorizes that humans arose from other species.

594 Wide reaching reforms of Solon in Athens.

585 BC, May

Greek philosopher Thales predicts an eclipse.
28

Targuinius Priscus builds the Bloaca Maxima, the first sewer

578
system in Rome, allowing it to grow into an immense city.

Cyrus the Great becomes king and will lead Persia to form a great
559 BC
empire that will stretch from Egypt to India.

The Greek engineer Eupalinos designs a water tunnel 1036 meters

long through a solid limestone mountain to bring water to the
550 BC ancient city of Samos. Work started on both ends and met in the
middle, an extraordinary feat of ancient mentioned by
Herodotus.

Pythagoras starts his school in Croton Greece. He founds a

532 BC
brotherhood which sees the world through numbers.

Rome expels the last of its 7 kings, and starts a republic. This
date is highly suspect since its one year before the Athenians
509 BC
start their democracy and the official records were burned by
the Gauls.
 Cleisthenes reforms enacted in Athens. Attica divided into
508 BC
demes.

505 BC Cleisthenes starts what will become democracy in Athens

500 BC The concept of the wheel rolls into Britain, but not the Americas.

Twenty-six miles from Athens on the plain of Marathon, 11,000

Athenians fight 100,000 Persians. If the Greeks lose the battle,
the city of Athens will flee to the hills. If the Athenians win the
battle at Marathon, the Athenians will stay and try to hold the
490 BC city against the Persian navy. While the battle rages the
Athenians waited for the word, to flee or to fortify. A lone
runner, Eucles, runs 26 miles and brings the much awaited news.
According to legend, he utters "Nike" (victory) and then dies
from exhaustion. 6,400 Persians are killed but only 192 Greeks.

Spartan King Leonidas, 300 Spartans, and their allies make a

sacrificial last stand at Thermopylae against Xerxes and the
Persians. King Xerxes demands the surrender of the Greeks
480 BC
weapons, to which King Leonidas replies, "Molon Labe", or "Come
and take them." (See: Texas Independence, "Come and Take It"
flag).

General Themistocles leads the Athenian navy to victory over the

Persian Navy at battle of Salamis. Themistocles uses varies ruses
September
to trick the Persians into battle in the narrow straits of Salamis,
480 BC
where the larger, more numerous Persian ships could not use
their advantages.

110,000 Greek hoplites defeat 300,000 Persians at the battle of

479 BC Plataea. The Persians suffered 257,000 casualties, the Greek
only 159.

Anaxagoras of Clazomenae arrives in Athens. He taught the

480 BC philosophy of Ionia to the Athenians sparking the flowering of
Western philosophy.
 Protagoras of Abdera (485-415) is born. He states that truth,
485 BC goodness, and all other values are relative, depending solely on
the person or society.

Herodotus of Halicarnassus aka, the first Historian. Oddly

enough, for being a Historian, we know practically nothing about
484-425 BC
him. He writes The Histories about the Persian War with Greece
creating the genre of historical writing.

Birth of Thucydides who writes The Peloponnesian War and builds

upon Herodotus's work of recording history. Thucydides though,
460-455 BC is more direct and rigorous in his writing, leaving out extraneous
stories and dubious material. He also omits references to the
gods as causing events in human affairs.

Second Persian War. The Athenians retreat, and the Persian

480 forces led by Xerxes destroy Athens, but Greek forces win a
major naval battle at Salamis.

The Theban commander Epaminondas defeats the reigning

champs of the Peloponnese, the Spartans, in the Battle of
371 BC
Leuctra. This is the beginning of the end of the Spartans as a
Greek superpower.

To do something significant so he would be remembered,

356 BC, July
Herostratus burns down the Ephesian Temple of Artemis, one of
21
the Seven Wonders of the World.

At the insistence of the Plebes, who were tired of the elites

manipulating the legal system against them, had all the Roman
450 BC laws written on metal plates for all to see. The laws, known as the
Twelve Tables of Roman law, are accessible to all now - and
memorized by all, even the illiterate.

The Parthenon in Athens is completed after 40 years of work.

433 BC This stunning piece of architecture was the crowning
achievement of Pericles.
 Democritus theorizes that matter is composed of tiny grains that
430 BC
cannot be subdivided. He calls them "atomos".

The disastrous Athenian invasion of Sicily. Before his death,

Pericles warned the Athenians not to try to expand their empire
until the war with Sparta was completed. They knew better and
415 BC
destroyed two fleets trying to win new territory. Although not
the final blow in the war with Sparta, this disaster started the
decline of Athens.

406 BC Battle of Arginusae.

Sparta finally defeats Athens in the Peloponnesian War with a

404 BC
navy financed by the Persians.

Socrates is put on trial. He is arrogant and antagonistic during

399 BC the proceedings. Had he been more gracious he might have
escaped the hemlock. The vote was 281 to 220.

Rome defeats the Etruscan city of Veii after 80 years of war and
starts the eventual rise of Rome. The Etruscans were skilled
396 BC
engineers and craftsmen. Many of the "Roman" innovations, like
their numerals, were really taken from the Etruscans.

The Thebans defeat of a Spartan Army at Leucrra. This marks

371 BC the end of the centuries-old Spartan reputation of being
unbeatable.

The Gallic Senones tribesmen sack Rome and occupy it for seven
386 BC
months. The Romans never forgot this.

386 BC Plato starts "The Academy" in Athens.

Epaminondas leads the Thebans to war against the Spartans

Battle of again, and wins again. He is killed in the battle. The war between
Mantinea Thebes and Sparta leaves Greece weaken just in time for the
upstart Macedonians to enter the stage.
 Herostratus burns the temple of Artemis in Ephesus to ground in
21 July 356 an attempt to immortalize his name. Alexander the Great was
born the same night.

338 BC Philip of Macedon conquers Greece in the battle of Chaeronea.

336 BC Aristotle starts "The Lyceum" in Athens .

Alexander the Great defeats Persia under Darius at battle of

Issus. Alexander was the fourth in a line of great men and
333
scholars: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle. Darius escapes and gathers
his forces for the next battle.

Alexander's 35,000 troops fight Darius's 200,000 in the battle

of Gaugamela. Darius has leveled the wide plain to allow better
use of his chariots and superior numbers. Alexander leads his
October 1,
troops off to the edge of the prepared field. This tactic opens a
331
gap in the Persian lines that Alexander drives into, threatening
King Darius himself. In panic Darius flees. Seeing their king
depart, some in the Persian army scatter.

Alexander the Great conquers Egypt. The Greeks bring coinage

332
into Egypt for the first time.

At the Hyphasis river, Alexander's army refuses to march

Summer 326
further into India and he is forced to turn back.

Alexander dies near Babylon and is reported to have left

323 kingdom, "to the best". Four of his generals carve up the empire
and usher in the Hellenistic period.

Greek astronomer Aristarchus of Samos born. He was one of the

310
first to suggest the earth moved about the sun.

Strato of Lampsacus (ca. 340-ca. 270 BC) becomes the third

head of the Aristotle's school, the Lyceum. Strato correctly
287 theorizes that objects accelerate when falling. He notes this by
observing water flows from a roof as a solid stream at first and
then breaks into droplets as it is getting faster. Another
 demonstration is that stones dropped from higher heights have
larger craters in sand.

297 The Pharos Lighthouse built by the Ptolemies

"One more such victory and we are lost," said the Greek King
279
Pyrrhus after the battle of Asculum in Italy with the Romans.

King Pyrrhus of Epirus wins a battle against the Romans, but his
280 BC
casualties are very high.

First Punic War between Rome and Carthage (called "Punic" from
"Phoenician"). Hamilcar Barca commands the army and never loses
264-241 BC a major battle. Hamilcar feels betrayed when the politicians of
Carthage surrender. He feels they can still win the war. Hamilcar
makes his son Hannibal swear an oath to hate Rome.

A convoy of Roman ships rescuing soldiers from Africa is caught

256 BC in a storm and 90,000 Romans die, one of the worst disasters in
maritime history.

Alexandrian Librarian Eratosthenes of Cyrene calculates

dimensions of the earth to within a 5 percent. After reading that
on the summer solstice the sun is directly overhead at Aswan and
shines straight down into a well, one the same day of the year, he
250
calculates the angle of a shadow at noon in Alexandria to be 7
degrees. Knowing the distance to Aswan was 5,000 stadia, the
circumference must be 360/7 times larger or about 250,000
stadia (25,000 miles).

Qin Shi Huang unites all of china under his rule. He standardizes
units of measure, coinage, and the Chinese script. Qin improves
commerce by creating an extensive network of roads and canals.
221 BC On the dark side, he burns books, kills scholars, and causes
famine by his many public works projects like the Great Wall.
Believing that eating mercury will prolong his life, he eats
mercury and dies of heavy metal poisoning at the age of 49.
 Second Punic War - Hannibal Barca crosses the Alps to attack
Rome. (Hannibal is praised by Machiavelli for being brutal in
visible examples, thereby gaining order in his army, so the amount
218 BC
of true cruelty to his soldiers was less than if he had been
softer). Hannibal is wildly successful militarily, but cannot pry the
Italian cities away from Rome.

Hannibal has one of the greatest military victories at Cannae.

216 BC About 70,000 men from the Roman forces are killed, only 6,000
of Hannibal's.

Hannibal, who did not want to fight with such inferior army, but
202 BC is ordered to by the council, is defeated at the battle of Zama by
Scipio Africanus.

The end of the Greek phalanx of tightly packed soldiers with long
spears is signaled when the descendant kingdom of Alexander the
197 BC,
Great under the command of Philip V of Macedonia loses to the
June
more flexible Roman army led by Titus Quinctius Flaminius at the
Battle of Cynoscephalea.

The Roman Senate moves New Year's day from March 25, near
the Spring Equinox, to January 1, the month named after the god
153 BC of gateways and beginnings, Janus. Before this September was
the seventh month, October was the eight month which makes
sense, now the names are off by two.

In the same year the Roman armies obliterate Carthage in the

146 BC Third Punic war and destroy Corinth in Greece. To any doubters it
is now clear that Rome is the dominant power.

Tiberius Gracchus physically ejects Marcus Octavius from the

Assembly to prevent Octavius from vetoing one of Tiberius's
laws. This egregious violation of ancient law and custom starts a
133 BC
series of events that will eventually destroy the Republic.
Ironically, Plutarch claimed Marcus Octavius was an ancestor of
Emperor Augustus.
 Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla fight a civil war over
87-80 BC
Rome.

Sulla makes himself the first dictator without a time limit on his
powers. Sulla is deeply conservative and sets the senate back in
power. He resigns in 80 BC snug in the feeling that he has
82 BC restored the Republic. Ironically, it is his own example of seizing
absolute power that some men, (I'm looking at you Julius), see
and know this is possible now. In trying to save the Republic, Sulla
destroys it.

Spartacus, a former Roman soldier and gladiator fights against

73 BC
Rome.

Battle of Alesia - Vercingetorix, leader of the Gauls, retreats to

a natural fortress at Alesia. Caesar orders his men to build
fortifications all around the fortress so Vercingetorix is trapped
52 BC, inside. Reinforcements for the Gauls start to arrive, and Caesar
September orders his men to build fortifications on the other side. The
Romans are now trapped inside a "donut" with Gauls on the inside
and outside. Caesar narrowly wins the battle through a personal
charge with his German cavalry.

Cleopatra & Ptolemy XII inherit Egypt. Ptolemy was the name of
Alexander the Great's general who "inherited" Egypt. Cleopatra
was the name of Alexander the Great's sister. Almost three
51 BC
centuries later, the Greek influence in Egypt was still strong.
Cleopatra was the first Ptolemy to learn the tongue of the
common Egyptians.

The first Leap Day is observed. The traditional Roman year only
had 355 days, so a month was sometimes added by the priests to
46, get the calendar back in sync with the seasons, but it would often
February 29 by incorrect. Julius Caesar reforms the calendar and adds a Leap
BC Day. He also takes the occasion to rename the month of
"Quintilis", the fifth month since the spring equinox in March, to
July to honor himself.

44 BC Julius Caesar assassinated.

 Against all odds, Octavian defeats Antony at battle of Actium.
31 BC (Antony's soldiers lose heart when they see Antony leave the
fight to follow Cleopatra who is fleeing the battle).

Caesar Augustus becomes the first Roman Emperor, this is

27 BC somewhat ironic since the senators assassinated Julius Caesar to
prevent him from moving from "first man of Rome" to emperor.

5 BC - 6 AD Jesus born
 AD History
1–49

Birth of Jesus Christ (variously given from 4 B.C. to A.D. 7). After Augustus,
Tiberius becomes emperor (dies, A.D. 37), succeeded by Caligula (assassinated,
A.D. 41), who is followed by Claudius. Crucifixion of Jesus (probably A.D. 30). Han
dynasty in China founded by Emperor Kuang Wu Ti. Buddhism introduced to China.

50–99

Claudius poisoned (A.D. 54), succeeded by Nero (commits suicide, A.D. 68).
Missionary journeys of Paul the Apostle (A.D. 34–60). Jews revolt against Rome;
Jerusalem destroyed (A.D. 70). Roman persecutions of Christians begin (A.D. 64).
Colosseum built in Rome (A.D. 71–80). Trajan (rules A.D. 98–116); Roman empire
extends to Mesopotamia, Arabia, Balkans. First Gospels of St. Mark, St. John, St.
Matthew.

100–149

Hadrian rules Rome (A.D. 117–138); codifies Roman law, rebuilds Pantheon,
establishes postal system, builds wall between England and Scotland. Jews revolt
under Bar Kokhba (A.D. 122–135); final Diaspora (dispersion) of Jews begins.

150–199

Marcus Aurelius rules Rome (A.D. 161–180). Oldest Mayan temples in Central
America (c. A.D. 200).

200–249

Goths invade Asia Minor (c. A.D. 220). Roman persecutions of Christians increase.
Persian (Sassanid) empire re-established. End of Chinese Han dynasty.

250–299

Increasing invasions of the Roman empire by Franks and Goths. Buddhism spreads
in China. Classic period of Mayan civilization (A.D. 250–900); develop hieroglyphic
writing, advances in art, architecture, science.

300–349
Constantine the Great (rules A.D. 312–337) reunites eastern and western Roman
empires, with new capital (Constantinople) on site of Byzantium (A.D. 330); issues
Edict of Milan legalizing Christianity (A.D. 313); becomes a Christian on his
deathbed (A.D. 337). Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) defines orthodox Christian
doctrine. First Gupta dynasty in India (c. A.D. 320).

350–399

Huns (Mongols) invade Europe (c. A.D. 360). Theodosius the Great (rules A.D. 392–
395)—last emperor of a united Roman empire. Roman empire permanently divided in
A.D. 395: western empire ruled from Rome; eastern empire ruled from
Constantinople.

400–449

Western Roman empire disintegrates under weak emperors. Alaric, king of the
Visigoths, sacks Rome (A.D. 410). Attila, Hun chieftain, attacks Roman provinces
(A.D. 433). St. Patrick returns to Ireland (A.D. 432) and brings Christianity to the
island. St. Augustine's City of God (A.D. 411).

450–499

Vandals destroy Rome (A.D. 455). Western Roman empire ends as Odoacer, German
chieftain, overthrows last Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus, and becomes king
of Italy (A.D. 476). Ostrogothic kingdom of Italy established by Theodoric the
Great (A.D. 493). Clovis, ruler of the Franks, is converted to Christianity (A.D.
496). First schism between western and eastern churches (A.D. 484).

500–549

Eastern and western churches reconciled (519). Justinian I, the Great (483–565),
becomes Byzantine emperor (527), issues his first code of civil laws (529),
conquers North Africa, Italy, and part of Spain. Plague spreads through Europe
(542 et seq.). Arthur, semi-legendary king of the Britons (killed, c. 537). Boëthius,
Roman scholar (executed, 524).

550–599

Beginnings of European silk industry after Justinian's missionaries smuggle

silkworms out of China (553). Mohammed, founder of Islam (570–632). Buddhism in
Japan (c. 560). St. Augustine of Canterbury brings Christianity to Britain (597).
After killing about half the population, plague in Europe subsides (594).

600–649

Mohammed flees from Mecca to Medina (the Hegira); first year of the Muslim
calendar (622). Muslim empire grows (634). Arabs conquer Jerusalem (637),
conquer Persians (641).

650–699

Arabs attack North Africa (670), destroy Carthage (697). Venerable Bede, English
monk (672–735).

700–749

Arab empire extends from Lisbon to China (by 716). Charles Martel, Frankish
leader, defeats Arabs at Tours/Poitiers, halting Arab advance in Europe (732).
Charlemagne (742–814). Introduction of pagodas in Japan from China.

750–799

Charlemagne becomes king of the Franks (771). Caliph Harun al-Rashid rules Arab
empire (786–809): the “golden age” of Arab culture. Vikings begin attacks on
Britain (790), land in Ireland (795). City of Machu Picchu flourishes in Peru.

800–849

Charlemagne crowned first Holy Roman Emperor in Rome (800). Charlemagne dies
(814), succeeded by his son, Louis the Pious, who divides France among his sons
(817). Arabs conquer Crete, Sicily, and Sardinia (826–827).

850–899

Norsemen attack as far south as the Mediterranean but are thwarted (859),
discover Iceland (861). Alfred the Great becomes king of Britain (871), defeats
Danish invaders (878). Russian nation founded by Vikings under Prince Rurik,
establishing capital at Novgorod (855–879).

900–949
Beginning of Mayan Post-Classical period (900–1519). Vikings discover Greenland (c.
900). Arab Spain under Abd ar-Rahman III becomes center of learning (912–961).
Otto I becomes King of Germany (936).

950–999

Mieczyslaw I becomes first ruler of Poland (960). Eric the Red establishes first
Viking colony in Greenland (982). Hugh Capet elected King of France in 987;
Capetian dynasty to rule until 1328. Musical notation systematized (c. 990). Vikings
and Danes attack Britain (988–999). Otto I crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope
John XII (962).