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331
Alexander the Great of Macedonia defeats the Persian Empire and spreads Greek culture throughout the region (331 BCE)
Alexander III of Macedonia, Alexander the Great, is known for his military genius and his diplomatic skills in handling the different populaces of each place he conquered. He is recognized for spreading Greek culture, language and thought around many countries. This event took place in 331 BCE on the battlefield at Gaugamela. Alexander the Great moved on from Gaugamela to Susa, then Persepolis, looking to conquer more cities. -
400
Hippocrates practises and studies medicine (400s BCE)
In the 400s BCE sick people would go to the temples dedicated to Asclepius, the Greek god of healing. Hippocrates taught people, at this time, that every disease had only natural causes. Hippocrates is known as "the father of medicine" and is recognized for findinngs of medicine as a science. Doctors in modern day still refer to the Hippocratic oath. -
431
Peloponnesian War begins between Sparta and Athens (431 BCE)
The Peloponnesian War took place between the Athenian Empire and the Peloponnesian league, lead by Spartans. The war began when the Thebans launched an attack on Plataea, an allie of Athens. The main reason for the war was because the Spartans feared of Athens growing power and prosperity. The war came to an end when Athens surrendered. -
460
Pericles Rules in Athens (460-429 BCE)
Anceint Greek statesman Pericles started his political career in the law courts as a leading prosecutor in getting Cimon ostracised from Athens in 461 BCE. Pericles organized construction of the Parthenon and developed a democracy based on majority rule. He ruled Athens from 461 BCE until his death in 429 BCE. Pericles was in charge of the military during the Peloponnesian Wars and did a lot to improve Athens and the people who lived there. -
505
Cleisthenes establishes the first democratic constitution, a set of laws to define and limit the government's power. Free speech and political involvement is extended to all Greek citizens. (505 BCE)
Before Cleisthenes ruled Greece, there were four traditional tribes. After he proposed to turn Athens into a democracy, voting rights for all free adult men were extended, a council of 500 members was created and all citizens were allowed to serve in the government. This has influenced our world today because in Canada we live in a democracy. We live in a representative democracy, but it is very similar to the direct democracy that Cleisthenes discovered. -
Jan 1, 621
Athens develops a written code of laws (621 BCE)
The first written code in Athens, created by Draco (a legislator of Athens), was created in 621 BCE. Draco created the strict laws because Athens did not want crime, they wanted peace. Draco's laws inforced that trival crimes resulted in death. However, some people thought the laws were too strict. A statesman, Solon, decided to change the laws to make them more humane. These laws made Athens more peacful and happy. These laws also helped with creating our human rights today. -
Jan 1, 700
Most Greek city-states were monarchies. (prior to the 8th century BCE)
Before the 8th century BCE Greek city-states were monarchies. They had a king that ruled with a group of nobles below him. The nobles became rich and formed a group called the Areopagus, which later became an oligarchy. Later, around the 9th century BCE, the Greek city states were founded. -
Jan 1, 776
First Olympic Games (776 BCE)
The first Olympic Games, called Olympia, were held in 776 BCE in Peloponnese. This was the island owned by the the founder of the games, Pelops. Olympia was a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices. The central part of Olympia was ruled by the majestic temple of Zeus. -
Plato opens an academy of learning in Athens (380 BCE)
Plato founded his own philosophical school, around 380 BCE, in the grove of the Greek hero Academus, just outside the city walls of Athens. In Plato's opening of his academy of learning, he gave lectures to students from all around the Greek world. According to some people, the Academy he founded was the world's first university and in it he trained some of his greatest students. -
(584 to 559 BCE) Solon becomes sole ruler in Athens and makes reforms to government. The poorer classes are included in making government decisions through an elected council, and many people are freed from slavery due to debts.
The poorer classes are included in making government decisions through an elected council, and many people are freed from slavery due to debts. During this period of time there was a set of laws created, called the "seisachtheia." This set of laws helped free slaves and their families who had been forced into slavery because they were not able to pay off their debt. In this period, the goverment also changed, allowing lower class people to participate in the government. -
Persians are Defeated by Greeks in the Battle of Marathon (490 BCE)
In 490 BCE a Persian armada of 600 ships invaded the Greeks slightly north of Athens on the Plain of Marathon. The battle occurred due to the Greek states supporting their Ionian cousins who were against Persian rule. The Greek warriors decided to attack the Persians and were able to kill most of the Persians, but some escaped on their ships and returned to Athens looking for more battles. The Greeks then arrived in time to kill the remainder of the Persians. -
(800 BCE) Sparta develops the first code of Greek written law to govern its military city-state.
Prior to 800 BCE, Athens had no records of written laws. The laws were passed down through generations. In order for everyone to be treated fairly and equally, they needed to created a code of written law. Our written laws today are based on the first code of Greek written law, which allow us to be free and equal. These laws also lead to things we cannot do, such as crimes.
