-
Period: 800 BCE to 146 BCE
The Greek Empire
The Greek Empire came to power in the Mediterranean region of Europe around 800 BC. The civilization thrived, lasting over 600 years as the most powerful civilization in the world until it was defeated by the Roman Empire in 146 BC. The Greeks are famous for developing a democratic government, great architectural achievements, and military conquest. The Greeks had many cultural achievements in math, science, and medicine. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle were famous greek philosophers. -
Period: 753 BCE to 486
Roman Empire
During the roughly 1000 years that the Roman Empire controlled Europe, there were a multitude of cultural advances. Changes in Government, Science, the Arts, Technology, and the pursuit of knowledge would dominate everyday life of Romans. At its height, Rome extended its European empire through the Middle East, Northern Africa, and all the way to India. In 486 AD, Rome falls to German Goth (the Visigoths) invaders. This is the beginning of the Dark Ages in European History. -
380
Theodosius
The Roman Emporer declares Christianity as the sole religion of the Roman Empire. -
Period: 476 to 1300
European Dark Ages / Middle Ages
During the Dark Ages, different groups of warring tribes fight continuously for control of land. Europe is shut off from the rest of the outside world. The search for knowledge that had existed during the Roman Empire disappears. Fuedalism, knights, poverty, serfs, castles, kings, and The Church come to dominance in Europe. It is a very oppressive and difficult time for Europeans. -
Period: 1095 to 1291
Crusades
The Crusades were a series of Holy Wars fought between Catholics from Europe against Muslims in the Middle East. Both groups wanted to control the city of Jerusalem because of its religious importance to each group's religion. A side effect of the wars was that European warriors were exposed to new technologies and new views of the world through their journeys to battle in the foreign lands. From the Muslims, the Europeans learned of advances in medicine, gunpowder, math, and astronomy. -
Period: 1300 to
Renaissance
During the Renaissance, Europeans is opened to the surrounding world. Through trade and the exchange of goods and ideas that occurred during the Crusades, Europeans begin to desire goods that will improve their standards of living. New technologies, spices, foods, weapons, and knowledge from the Middle East makes its way to Europe. European long for new goods and technologies and continued trade is developed. Culture once again flourishes in Europe causing a 'rebirth' to the Roman Empire. -
1347
The Black Plague
A horrific disease sweeps through Europe killing as many as 25 million people. The black plague is also known as The Black Death. It was a pandemic, which is an outbreak of disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population. The Black Death could cause a person who appeared healthy in the morning to be dead by nightfall. -
1436
Johannes Gutenberg
Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press around 1455. Gutenberg, a German, printed the first book written with movable type called, "The Forty Two Line Bible". Prior to Gutenberg's invention of the Printing Press, nearly everyone in Europe was illiterate or unable to read except for monks and others in The Church. Following the invention of the printing press, millions of common Europeans learned to read and that would lead them to question the world around them. -
1452
Leonardo da Vinci
One of the most famous Italian Renaissance painters. Leonardo is famous for many of his works, including the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper. -
1475
Michelangelo
One of the leading figures of the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo created works of art that were like nothing the world had ever seen before. Some of his famous works include the Pieta, the David, and the Sistine Chapel, which took at least 4 years to paint. -
1492
Columbus 'discovers' America
Columbus and his crew make 'accidentally' make landfall in the Caribbean Islands. He thought he had discovered the East Indies of Asia. -
1517
95 Thesis
A German Monk, Martin Luther, speaks out against the Catholic Church. He posted his arguments with The Church on the door of the All Saints Church in Wittenberg Germany. Luther's action would spark a rebellion by many followers of the Catholic Church called the Protestant Reformation. -
Jamestown
The first successful English settlement of Jamestown is established in 1607. Jamestown was located on the James River in what would become the state of Virginia. Life was tough for the settlers and many died from starvation, disease, and illness. -
Plymouth
The Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock in what would become the state of Massachusetts. Seeking religious freedom, the Pilgrims are befriended by friendly Native Americans in the region and their settlement flourishes.
