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Chronicle II of IX

Archaic Greece

Archaic Greece

The polis takes shape: colonists sail west and Greece learns to write again.

Span
800 – 480 BC
Entries
34
Bust traditionally identified as Solon, Naples Archaeological Museum
Frontispiece · Bust traditionally identified as Solon, Naples Archaeological MuseumWikimedia Commons (public domain)
  1. 776 BC

    Olympic TraditionCultural

    First Olympic Games

    Traditional date for the first recorded Olympic Games, held at Olympia in honor of Zeus, establishing the pan-Hellenic festival.

    Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
  2. 757 BC

    Greek ColonizationPolitical

    Foundation of Syracuse

    Corinthian colonists establish Syracuse in Sicily, which will become one of the most powerful Greek cities in the Western Mediterranean.

    Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
  3. 743 BC

    First Messenian WarMilitary

    Sparta conquers Messenia

    Sparta begins the conquest of Messenia, enslaving the population and creating the helot system that will define Spartan society.

    Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
  4. 735 BC

    Greek ColonizationPolitical

    Foundation of Byzantium

    Megarian colonists found Byzantium on the European side of the Bosphorus, strategically controlling access to the Black Sea.

    Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
  5. 724 BC

    First Messenian WarMilitary

    Fall of Messenia

    Sparta completes the conquest of Messenia after 20 years of war, establishing Spartan dominance over the Peloponnese.

    Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
  6. 683 BC

    Political DevelopmentPolitical

    First Tyranny in Greece

    Cypselus becomes tyrant of Corinth, marking the rise of tyranny as a common form of government in Greek city-states.

    Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
  7. 668 BC

    Greek ConflictsMilitary

    Battle of Hysiae

    Argos defeats Sparta at the Battle of Hysiae, checking Spartan expansion and establishing Argos as a major power.

    Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3
  8. 657 BC

    Political DevelopmentPolitical

    Periander becomes tyrant of Corinth

    Periander succeeds his father Cypselus as tyrant of Corinth, ruling for 40 years and making Corinth a major commercial power.

    Meanwhile, elsewhere · 3

  9. 26 more entries, to 480 BC