Ancient Greece Timeline

Periods can be used to categorize the history of Ancient Greece. The Archaic Period, the Classical Period, and the Hellenistic Period are the three main eras we shall discuss in this article.

With the establishment of city-states like Sparta and Athens during the Archaic Period, the Greek government started to take shape. The Greeks also started investigating philosophy and theater during this time.

The advent of democracy in Athens signaled the start of the Classical Era. In terms of philosophy and art, Athens also attained unprecedented heights. The Peloponnesian Wars, which involved Athens and Sparta, took place during this time. Alexander the Great ascended to power during the end of the Classical Era, capturing most of Western Asia and Europe.

The Hellenistic Period began with Alexander the Great’s passing. Greece’s strength gradually waned over this time until Rome finally took control of it.

Greek Archaic Period (800 BC – 480 BC)

776 BC –
There are the first Olympic Games. In remembrance of the Greek god Zeus, the games were held every four years.

750 BC –
The Iliad and the Odyssey are started by Homer. Two of the most well-known Greek literary works are these two epic poems.

743 BC –
Start of the First Messenian War. Sparta and Messenia will fight each other in this conflict for many years.

650 BC –
The Greek Tyrants are put in charge. The first Tyrant of Corinth was Cypselus.

621 BC –
Draco, a lawyer, enacts stringent new legislation that is punishable by death in Athens. They are referred to as Draconian laws.

600 BC –
The debut of the first Greek coinage.

570 BC –
Born: Pythagoras. He will make significant strides in philosophy, math, and science. The Pythagorean Theorem is still used today to simplify geometry problems.

508 BC –
Cleisthenes introduces democracy to Athens. He creates a constitution and is referred to as the “Father of Athenian Democracy” by many. One of the greatest achievements of Greek civilization is this.

Greek Classical Period (480 BC – 323 BC)

490 BC –
In the Greek/Persian Wars, the Greeks battle the Persians. The Battle of Salamis in 480 BC and the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC are two well-known conflicts. The Persians lose to the Greeks, who advance.

468 BC –
Sophocles starts producing plays for the stage. The theater quickly gains popularity as a source of entertainment in Greece.
Famous playwright Euripides takes home the top honor for the best play in Athens in 440 BC.

432 BC –
On the Acropolis in Athens, the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to Athena, is finished. This is the most well-known ancient Greek structure that is still standing today.

431 BC –
Athens and Sparta start fighting against other. The Peloponnesian Wars are what they are known as. After 27 years of fighting, Sparta finally takes control of Athens in 404 BC.

399 BC –
Socrates, a well-known Greek philosopher, is executed for indoctrinating Athens’ youth with his ideas.

386 BC –
Plato, a Greek philosopher and Socrates’ pupil, founds the first college in Western civilization. It is known as the Academy.

342 BC –
Alexander, who would later become known as Alexander the famous, begins receiving instruction from the famous philosopher, scientist, and mathematician Aristotle.

336 BC –
When Philip of Macedon is killed, Alexander the Great takes over as king.

333 BC –
Beginning his conquests, Alexander overthrows the Persians.

332 BC –
Egypt is subdued by Alexander. He makes Alexandria the new location of Egypt’s capital. Alexander’s dominion would grow significantly over the following few years, taking over most of Persia en route to India.

Greek Hellenistic Period (323 BC – 31 BC)

323 BC –
Alexander the Great’s death marks the start of the Hellenistic era. The Greek civilisation starts to deteriorate, and the Romans start to rise to prominence.

300 BC –
Greek mathematician Euclid authored Elements. Mathematics will be impacted by this well-known writing for many years to come.

146 BC –
At the Battle of Corinth, Rome triumphs over the Greeks, annexing it to the Roman Empire.

31 BC –
The Hellenistic Period comes to an end when Rome defeats Egypt at the Battle of Actium.