Timeline of Ancient Greek Civilization

The ancient Greek civilization was a fascinating and influential culture that existed thousands of years ago. It left a lasting impact on many aspects of life, like art, politics, and philosophy. Let's take a look at a simplified timeline of ancient Greece:

City-States and Periods: Ancient Greece was made up of different city-states, which were like independent countries with their own rules and leaders. Some well-known city-states were Athens, Sparta, and Corinth. Greek history is divided into different periods, such as the Archaic Period, Classical Period, and Hellenistic Period. Each period had its own unique characteristics and important events.

Notable Events and People: There were many exciting events and famous people in ancient Greece. Some examples include the Persian Wars, where the Greeks fought against invaders, and the Peloponnesian War, which was a conflict between Athens and Sparta. Important individuals like Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Pericles made significant contributions to Greek society through their ideas, philosophy, and leadership.

Clay depas amphikypellon from Troy, National Archeological Museum, Athens Greece

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Neolithic Period

(c. 7000-3200 BCE):

The Neolithic Period of ancient Greece was a time in history when people went through some big changes in how they lived. Instead of being hunter-gatherers, they started to settle down in one place and become farmers. This happened a long time ago, thousands of years before the ancient Greek civilization we know about.

During the Neolithic Period, people learned how to grow their own crops like wheat and barley. They also began to raise animals like sheep, goats, and pigs. This allowed them to have a more stable and reliable source of food.

They developed new skills and tools to help them with farming. For example, they made pots and containers out of clay to store and cook their food. They also started trading with other communities, exchanging things they had for things they needed.

In addition, they discovered copper and learned how to shape it into tools and weapons. Later on, they discovered that by combining copper with another metal called tin, they could make an even stronger metal called bronze. This was a big deal because it helped them make better tools and weapons.

The Neolithic Period was a time of important changes and advancements that laid the foundation for the ancient Greek civilization that came later. It marked a shift from a nomadic lifestyle to settled communities, where farming and trade became key aspects of life.

Bronze Age of Greece

(c. 3000-1100 BCE):

The Bronze Age of Greece refers to a period in ancient Greek history characterized by the extensive use of bronze for tools, weapons, and artwork. It was a time of significant cultural and technological advancements. Here are some important timeline dates related to the Bronze Age of Greece:

Rhyton in the form of a donkey carrying Canaanite amphoras (vases of Syrian origins) on its back, National Archeological Museum, Athens, Greece

3000 BCE: The early Bronze Age in Greece begins with the emergence of early civilizations, including the Minoans on the island of Crete.
2000 BCE: The Minoan civilization reaches its peak, known for its advanced palace complexes, vibrant frescoes, and maritime trade.
1600 BCE: The eruption of the Thera volcano (modern-day Santorini) occurs, causing significant disruptions in the Aegean region and potentially impacting the Minoan civilization.
1450 BCE: The Mycenaean civilization, centered on the Greek mainland, becomes dominant. Mycenae, Tiryns, and Pylos are among the important Mycenaean cities.
1400 BCE: Linear B script, an early form of Greek writing, is developed by the Mycenaeans.
1250 BCE: The legendary Trojan War, as described in Homer's epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey, is believed to have taken place during this time.
1200 BCE: The Late Bronze Age experiences a period of widespread upheaval and destruction, often attributed to factors such as invasions, migrations, and societal collapse.
1100 BCE: The Bronze Age of Greece comes to an end, and the subsequent period is known as the Dark Age, characterized by a decline in population, trade, and cultural achievements

The Bronze Age of Greece played a significant role in the development of ancient Greek civilization, laying the groundwork for future cultural and technological advancements in subsequent periods.

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Geometric Krater, 745-730 BCE, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), New York

Dark Ages of Greece

(c. 1100-800 BCE):

The Dark Age of Greece refers to a period of decline and cultural regression that followed the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization. It was marked by a lack of written records and limited artistic and architectural achievements. Here are some important timeline dates related to the Dark Age of Greece:

1100 BCE: The Bronze Age of Greece comes to an end, and the Dark Age begins. This period is also known as the Greek Dark Ages.
1100-800 BCE: During this time, Greece experiences a decline in population, trade, and cultural development. Cities are abandoned, and there is a loss of centralized authority.
1000 BCE: Iron starts to replace bronze as the dominant metal used for tools and weapons. This technological advancement would later contribute to the revitalization of Greek civilization.
900 BCE: The Greek city of Athens begins to emerge as a settlement and gradually grows in importance.
800 BCE: The Archaic Period begins, marking the end of the Dark Age. This period sees the revival and reestablishment of Greek culture, the rise of city-states, and the development of early forms of democracy.

During the Dark Age of Greece, things got tough. There was a decline in how people lived together, how they ran their government, and the amazing art they created. But don't worry! After this difficult time, there was a period called the Archaic Period. During this time, things started to get better again. Greek civilization began to grow, and they made great progress in their culture. This set the stage for even more amazing things to come in the future!

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Archaic Period

(c. 800-500 BCE):

The Archaic Period of ancient Greece was a time of significant cultural, political, and artistic development. It followed the Dark Age and set the stage for the flourishing of Greek civilization. The Greek government began to form with the rise of the city-states such as Athens and Sparta. This was also when the Greeks began to explore philosophy and theatre.

ca. 630–615 BCE Terracota Dinos (mixing bowl), Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), New York

800 BCE: The Archaic Period begins as Greece emerges from the Dark Age. City-states, such as Athens and Sparta, start to form and grow in importance.
750 BCE: The Olympic Games are established, becoming an important athletic and cultural event in Greek society.
700 BCE: Greek colonies are founded in various regions around the Mediterranean, leading to increased trade and cultural exchange.
650 BCE: Greek city-states develop their own unique systems of government. Early forms of democracy begin to emerge in some city-states like Athens.
600 BCE: Greek art and architecture begin to flourish. The construction of elaborate temples, such as the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, showcases the artistic achievements of the period.
570 BCE: The poet Sappho, known for her lyric poetry, becomes a prominent figure in Greek literature.
560 BCE: The philosopher Pythagoras develops his famous theory in mathematics.
550 BCE: The first coins are minted in Greek city-states, marking an important development in the history of currency.
500 BCE: The Persian Wars begin as the Persian Empire attempts to invade Greece, leading to conflicts like the Battle of Marathon.
479 BCE: The Greeks achieve a major victory over the Persians at the Battle of Plataea, securing their independence and marking the end of the Persian Wars.

The Archaic Period laid the foundation for later advancements in Greek culture, politics, philosophy, and art. It was a time of significant growth and transition, setting the stage for the even more remarkable achievements of the Classical Period that followed.

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Marble bust of Alexander the Great, Acropolis Museum, Athens, Greece

Classical Period

(c. 480-323 BCE):

The Classical Period of ancient Greece was a remarkable time in history when the Greeks achieved great advancements in various aspects of life. It is often called the "Golden Age" because of the tremendous growth and achievements during this period.

In the Classical Period, which lasted from the 5th century BCE to the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE, the Greeks made significant contributions to art, philosophy, literature, architecture, politics, and warfare.

Overall, the Classical Period of ancient Greece was characterized by intellectual curiosity, artistic excellence, democratic ideals, and military prowess. It laid the foundation for Western civilization and left a lasting legacy in terms of culture, philosophy, politics, and art.

490 BC: The Greeks fight against the Persians in the Greek/Persian Wars. Two famous battles, the Battle of Marathon and the Battle of Salamis, take place. The Greeks win and the Persians retreat.
468 BC: Sophocles, a famous writer, starts creating plays for the theater. The theater becomes very popular in Greece as a form of entertainment.
440 BC: A well-known playwright named Euripides wins the first prize for the best play in Athens.
432 BC: The Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, is finished in Athens. It is now one of the most famous surviving buildings from Ancient Greece.
431 BC: The Peloponnesian Wars begin between Athens and Sparta. These wars last for 27 years, with Sparta eventually conquering Athens in 404 BC.
399 BC: Socrates, a famous Greek philosopher, is put to death in Athens for supposedly corrupting the youth with his teachings.
386 BC: Plato, a student of Socrates, establishes the Academy, which is the first school of higher learning in the western world.
342 BC: Aristotle, a great philosopher, scientist, and mathematician, becomes the tutor of Alexander, who would later be known as Alexander the Great.
336 BC: Alexander the Great becomes the king after his father, Philip of Macedon, is assassinated.
333 BC: Alexander starts his conquests and defeats the Persians.
332 BC: Alexander conquers Egypt and establishes the new capital city called Alexandria. In the following years, he expands his empire by conquering much of Persia on his way to India.

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Hellenistic Period

(c. 323-31 BCE):

The Hellenistic Period of ancient Greece refers to the time following the conquests of Alexander the Great, from approximately the late 4th century BCE to the 1st century BCE. It was a period of significant cultural and political change as Greek influence spread across vast territories beyond Greece itself.

During this period, Greece slowly declined in power until it was finally conquered by Rome.

ca. 330–300 BCE Macedonian Jewelry, Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), New York

323 BCE: Alexander the Great's Death: After the death of Alexander, his vast empire was divided among his generals, marking the beginning of the Hellenistic Period.
305 BCE: Ptolemaic Dynasty in Egypt: Ptolemy, one of Alexander's generals, established the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt, which lasted until the death of Cleopatra in 30 BCE.
301 BCE: Battle of Ipsus: This battle solidified the division of Alexander's empire into separate Hellenistic kingdoms, with Seleucus taking control of Persia and Mesopotamia.
279 BCE: Celtic Invasion of Greece: Celtic tribes from Western Europe invaded Greece, causing disruption and cultural exchange.
197 BCE: Battle of Cynoscephalae: The Romans defeated the Greek city-state alliance led by Philip V of Macedon, establishing Roman dominance in Greece.
146 BC: The Battle of Corinth - Rome emerges victorious over the Greeks in a significant battle, resulting in Corinth becoming part of the Roman Empire.
31 BC: The Battle of Actium - Rome triumphs over Egypt in a decisive battle, marking the end of the Hellenistic Era. This victory solidifies Roman control and brings an end to the period characterized by Greek influence and cultural expansion.

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Please note that the timeline provided for ancient Greek civilization, including specific dates and events, is based on historical research and scholarly consensus. However, it's important to acknowledge that some dates and details may vary or be subject to ongoing debate among historians. The ancient Greek civilization lasted for several centuries, and our knowledge of it is continually expanding as new discoveries are made and research is conducted. Therefore, while the timeline presented here offers a general overview, it is always advisable to consult multiple sources and references for a more complete understanding of ancient Greek history.

Information compiled in this site come from the following sources; British Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian Institute, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Acropolis Museum, Encyclopedia Britannica, Egypt Time Travel, Journey to Egypt, Getty Institute, Boston Museum of Fine Art

If you have edits you would like to suggest, please email Michael.Veley@ship.k12.pa.us

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