The golden age of Athens and birth of Western civilization
Athenian forces decisively defeat the Persian invasion force, establishing Athens as a major power and preserving Greek independence.
The golden age of Athens and birth of Western civilization
Athenian forces decisively defeat the Persian invasion force, establishing Athens as a major power and preserving Greek independence.
King Leonidas and 300 Spartans make a heroic last stand against the massive Persian army, buying time for Greek forces to regroup.
Themistocles leads the Greek fleet to a decisive victory over the Persian navy, saving Athens and the Greek cause.
Greek forces under Pausanias decisively defeat the Persian army, ending the Persian invasion and establishing Greek military supremacy.
Athens forms an alliance of Greek city-states to protect against future Persian aggression, which gradually becomes the Athenian Empire.
The architect of the victory at Salamis is ostracised from Athens, ending the political ascendancy of the Persian-war generation and clearing the way for Cimon.
Athenian commander Cimon defeats the Persian fleet and army at the Battle of Eurymedon, securing Athenian naval dominance.
A massive earthquake devastates Sparta, killing thousands and triggering a helot revolt that threatens Spartan survival.
Athens and Sparta clash at the Battle of Tanagra, with Sparta victorious but unable to exploit their advantage.
Pericles begins his long period of influence over Athenian politics, ushering in the golden age of Athenian democracy and culture.
War breaks out between Athens and allies against Sparta and the Peloponnesian League, beginning 15 years of intermittent conflict.
Aeschylus stages his masterpiece trilogy, the pinnacle of Greek tragedy, exploring themes of justice and divine law.
The Delian League treasury is moved from Delos to Athens, marking the transformation from alliance to empire.
Athens and Sparta agree to a five-year truce, temporarily halting the First Peloponnesian War.
Under Pericles' direction, construction begins on the Parthenon temple on the Acropolis, the ultimate expression of Classical Greek architecture.
War breaks out between Athens and its empire against Sparta and the Peloponnesian League, beginning a 27-year conflict that will reshape Greece.
A devastating plague strikes Athens, killing up to a third of the population including Pericles' sons and weakening the city.
Pericles dies of plague, removing Athens' greatest statesman during the critical early years of the Peloponnesian War.
Demosthenes leads Athenian forces to victory at Pylos, capturing Spartan hoplites on the island of Sphacteria.
The Boeotians defeat the Athenians at the Battle of Delium, where Socrates fought as a hoplite and saved Alcibiades.
Herodotus completes his Histories, founding the discipline of history and documenting the Greco-Persian Wars.
Athens and Sparta swear a fifty-year peace, ending the Archidamian phase of the Peloponnesian War — a settlement that neither side can sustain.
Sparta crushes the Argive-Athenian coalition at Mantinea, restoring her hegemony in the Peloponnese and exposing the hollowness of the Peace of Nicias.
Athens launches a massive expedition against Syracuse, ending in catastrophic defeat that severely weakens Athenian power.
The Athenian fleet is destroyed in Syracuse harbor, marking the complete failure of the Sicilian Expedition.
The oligarchic coup of the Four Hundred overthrows Athenian democracy, though it is quickly restored.
Aristophanes stages his anti-war comedy Lysistrata, using humor to comment on the futility of the Peloponnesian War.
Athens surrenders to Sparta, ending the Peloponnesian War. The Long Walls are demolished, and Athens loses its empire.
Thrasybulus leads the democratic restoration in Athens, overthrowing the Spartan-backed oligarchy.
Socrates is tried and executed for corrupting the youth and impiety, becoming a martyr for philosophy and free thought.
Athens, Thebes, Corinth, and Argos fight against Sparta and Persian support, beginning the Corinthian War.
Plato establishes his school of philosophy in Athens, which will operate for nearly 900 years and influence Western thought profoundly.
Thebes under Epaminondas defeats Sparta, ending Spartan military supremacy and establishing Theban dominance in Greece.
Epaminondas leads Theban forces into the Peloponnese, liberating Messenia and ending Spartan dominance.
Thebes founds Megalopolis as a buffer state against Sparta, permanently altering the balance of power in the Peloponnese.
Epaminondas leads a second invasion of the Peloponnese, further weakening Spartan power.
Epaminondas wins his final battle at Mantinea but is killed, ending Theban dominance in Greece.
Philip II ascends the Macedonian throne and begins reforms that will create the most powerful military force in Greece.
Philip II captures Amphipolis, gaining control of rich gold mines and securing Macedon's eastern frontier.
Alexander is born to Philip II and Olympias at Pella, destined to become one of history's greatest conquerors.
Philip II defeats the Phocians at the Battle of Crocus Field, establishing Macedonian dominance in central Greece.
Philip II defeats the combined forces of Athens and Thebes, establishing Macedonian dominance over the Greek city-states.
Alexander succeeds his assassinated father Philip II and immediately secures his position and begins planning the Persian invasion.
Aristotle establishes his school of philosophy in Athens, creating a systematic approach to knowledge that will influence science for centuries.
Alexander wins his first major victory against the Persian Empire, crossing into Asia and beginning his epic conquests.
Alexander defeats Darius III despite being outnumbered, capturing the Persian royal family and securing control of Asia Minor.
Alexander founds Alexandria in Egypt, which will become the greatest center of learning and culture in the ancient world.
Alexander decisively defeats Darius III, ending the Persian Empire and completing his conquest of the Persian heartland.
Alexander defeats King Porus in India, his most difficult battle. His army refuses to go further, forcing him to turn back.
Alexander dies in Babylon at age 32, leaving his vast empire without a clear heir and ushering in the Hellenistic period.