Thespieus of Athens Dies, Succeeded by Agamestor
Year: -797
Category: Politics
Thespieus, King of Athens, dies after a reign of 27 years and is succeeded by his son Agamestor.
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Succession
Death of Thespieus, King of Athens
Year: -797
Category: Politics
Thespieus, king of Athens, r. 824–797 BC
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, City-State
King Agamestor of Athens Dies, Aeschylus Succeeds
Year: -778
Category: Politics
Agamestor, King of Athens, dies after a reign of 17 years and is succeeded by his son Aeschylus.
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Succession, Governance
First Recorded Olympic Games
Year: -776
Category: Society & Culture
retrospectively set as the first Olympiad. The history of the Olympic Games is believed to reach as far back as the 13th century BC.
Tags: Ancient greece, Olympics, Sports, Athletics, Panhellenic Games, Religion, Festival, Ancient World
Aeschylus' Death and Alcmaeon's Succession in Athens
Year: -755
Category: Politics
Aeschylus, King of Athens, dies after a reign of 23 years and is succeeded by Alcmaeon.
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Succession
Reign of Aeschylus, King of Athens, Ends
Year: -755
Category: Politics
Aeschylus, king of Athens, r. 778–755 BC
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Political Leadership, Governance, Classical Antiquity, City-State
Alcmaeon, King of Athens, Dies; Harops Elected Archon
Year: -753
Category: Politics
Alcmaeon, King of Athens, dies after a reign of 2 years. He is replaced by Harops, elected Archon for a ten-year term.
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Archon, Political Transition, Governance, Classical Antiquity
Alcmaeon's Reign Ends in Athens
Year: -753
Category: Politics
Alcmaeon, king of Athens, r. 755–753 BC
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, King, Political History, Governance
Corinthians Found Syracuse
Year: -734
Category: Politics
Syracuse (Sicily) was founded as a colony by Corinth.
Tags: Ancient greece, Colonialism, City-State, Corinth
Chalcis Founds Colony of Naxos in Sicily
Year: -734
Category: Politics
Naxus in Sicily founded as a colony of Chalcis in Euboea. (traditional date)
Tags: Ancient greece, Colonialism, Greek Colonization, Chalcis, City-State, Expansion
Diaulos Footrace Introduced to the Olympic Games
Year: -724
Category: Society & Culture
The diaulos footrace introduced at the Olympics.
Tags: Ancient greece, Olympics, Athletics, Sports, Games, Competition, Ancient World, Peloponnese
Spartan Colonists Found Tarentum
Year: -706
Category: Society & Culture
Spartan immigrants found Taras (Tarentum, the modern Taranto) colony in southern Italy.
Tags: Ancient greece, Magna Graecia, Colonialism, City-State, Foundation, Southern Italy, Greek Colonization, Settlement
Argos' Victory Over Sparta at Hysiae
Year: -669
Category: Warfare & Military
Argos defeats Sparta for the last time, this time using a hoplite phalanx, at the battle of Hysiae.
Tags: Ancient greece, Argos, Military History, Battle
Megaran Colonists Found Byzantium
Year: -667
Category: Politics
Byzantium founded by Megaran colonists under Byzas. (traditional date)
Tags: Ancient greece, Colonialism, Foundation, Trade
Naval Battle Between Corinth and Corcyra
Year: -664
Category: Warfare & Military
First naval battle in Greek recorded history, between Corinth and Corcyra.
Tags: Ancient greece, Naval Warfare, Military History, Corinth, Warfare, Ancient World
Cypselus Establishes Tyranny in Corinth
Year: -657
Category: Politics
Cypselus becomes the first tyrant of Corinth.
Tags: Ancient greece, Tyranny, Corinth, Political Power, Aristocracy
Clazomenae Colonists Found Abdera
Year: -650
Category: Society & Culture
The town of Abdera in Thrace is founded by colonists from Clazomenae.
Tags: Ancient greece, Colonization, Foundation
Pankration Introduced to the Ancient Olympic Games
Year: -648
Category: Society & Culture
Pankration becomes an event at the Ancient Olympic Games.
Tags: Ancient greece, Olympic Games, Sports, Competition, Athletics, Society
Cylon's Coup Attempt on the Athenian Acropolis
Year: -632
Category: Politics
Cylon, Athenian noble, seizes the Acropolis in a failed attempt to become king.
Tags: Ancient greece, Tyranny, Oligarchy, Political Instability, Coup, Acropolis, Aristocracy
Greeks Found Cyrene in Libya
Year: -631
Category: Society & Culture
Founding of Cyrene, a Greek colony in Libya (North Africa) (approximate date).
Tags: Ancient greece, Colonialism, Greek Colonization, Trade, Society, Expansion
Phocean Foundation of Marseille
Year: -600
Category: Society & Culture
Foundation of Marseille by Phoceans (traditional date).
Tags: Ancient greece, Greek Colonization, Trade
Solon Appointed Archon and Introduces Athenian Democratic Reforms
Year: -594
Category: Politics
Solon appointed Archon of Athens; institutes democratic reforms.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Archon, Political Reform, Citizenship
Pythian Games Established
Year: -582
Category: Society & Culture
Pythian Games founded at Delphi (traditional date).
Tags: Ancient greece, Games, Sport, Religion, Panhellenic Games, Competition, Festival
Isthmian Games Founded at Corinth
Year: -580
Category: Society & Culture
Isthmian Games founded at Corinth (traditional date)
Tags: Ancient greece, Games, Sports, Competition, Corinth, Panhellenic Games, Festival, Athletics
Nemean Games Inaugurated
Year: -573
Category: Society & Culture
Nemean Games founded at Nemea (traditional date).
Tags: Ancient greece, Games, Athletics, Sports, Festival, Religion, Panhellenic Games
Birth of Pythagoras
Year: -570
Category: Philosophy & Ideas
Pythagoras of Samos is born (approximate date).
Tags: Ancient greece, Philosophy, Mathematics, Pythagoreanism, Western Thought, Number Theory, Ethics, Early Science
Pisistratus's First Tyranny in Athens
Year: -560
Category: Politics
Pisistratus seizes the Acropolis of Athens and declares himself tyrant. He is deposed in the same year.
Tags: Ancient greece, Tyranny, Athenian History, Political Instability, Pisistratus
Hegesias Deposed as Archon of Athens
Year: -558
Category: Politics
Hegesias removed as Archon of Athens.
Tags: Ancient greece, Archon, Government, Tyranny, City-State
Pisistratus' Exile from Athens
Year: -556
Category: Politics
Pisistratus is exiled from Athens to Euboea.
Tags: Ancient greece, Tyranny, Athenian History, Exile, Political Intrigue, Pisistratus
Thracian Destruction of Abdera
Year: -550
Category: Warfare & Military
Abdera is destroyed by the Thracians.
Tags: Ancient greece, Conflict, City-State, Warfare, Military History, Destruction
Migration of Teians to Abdera to Escape Persian Rule
Year: -544
Category: Society & Culture
People of Teos migrate to Abdera, Thrace to escape the yoke of Persia.
Tags: Ancient greece, Migration, Persian Empire, Colonization, Political Instability, Exile
Pisistratus Purifies Delos
Year: -543
Category: Religion
Pisistratus, tyrant of Athens, purifies the island of Delos (approximate date).
Tags: Ancient greece, Tyranny, Pisistratus
Tragedy Competitions Introduced at the City Dionysia
Year: -534
Category: Art
Competitions for tragedy are instituted at the City Dionysia festival in Athens.
Tags: Ancient greece, Drama, Theatre, Tragedy, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Performance Arts
Construction Begins on the Temple of Olympian Zeus (Athens)
Year: -520
Category: Religion
Start of construction of a colossal new Temple of Olympian Zeus (Athens) by Pisistratus's sons, Hippias and Hipparchos (approximate date).
Tags: Ancient greece, Temple, Religious Architecture, Construction
Cleomenes I Ascends to the Spartan Throne
Year: -520
Category: Politics
Cleomenes I succeeds Anaxandridas II as King of Sparta (approximate date)
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Peloponnese, Military History
Darius I's Conquest of Getae and Thrace
Year: -513
Category: Warfare & Military
Darius the Great subdues the Getae and east Thrace in his war against the Scythians.
Tags: Achaemenid Empire, Darius I, Persian Empire, Military Campaign, Conquest, Iron Age
Macedonia Becomes a Vassal of the Achaemenid Empire
Year: -512
Category: Politics
The Kingdom of Macedonia, under King Amyntas I, becomes a vassal state to the Achaemenid Empire.
Tags: Ancient greece, Achaemenid Empire, Vassal State, Imperialism, Persian Wars, Political Alliances
Hippias' Tyranny Ends: Athenian Democracy Emerges
Year: -510
Category: Politics
Hippias, son of Pisistratus and tyrant of Athens, is expelled by a popular revolt supported by Cleomenes I, King of Sparta and his forces.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Tyranny, Political Revolution
Demaratus Becomes King of Sparta
Year: -510
Category: Politics
Demaratus succeeds Ariston as King of Sparta (approximate date).
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Succession, Peloponnese
Cleisthenes Establishes Athenian Democracy
Year: -507
Category: Politics
Cleisthenes, Greek reformer, takes power and increases democracy.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Political Reform, Democracy, Citizenship, Direct Democracy
Naxos Revolt Sparks Ionian Uprising Against Persia
Year: -502
Category: Warfare & Military
Naxos rebels against Persian domination sparking the Ionian Revolt.
Tags: Ionian Revolt, Persian Empire, Ancient greece, Rebellion, Military Conflict, Tyranny, Classical Antiquity, Achaemenid Empire
Persian Attack on Naxos
Year: -501
Category: Warfare & Military
Naxos is attacked by the Persian Empire.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Ionian Revolt, Military Conflict, Naval Warfare, Warfare
Teos Refugees Resettle Abdera
Year: -500
Category: Society & Culture
Refugees from Teos resettle Abdera.
Tags: Ancient greece, Colonization, Migration, Refugees, Settlement
Persian Empire's Failed Attack on Naxos
Year: -499
Category: Warfare & Military
Aristagoras, acting on behalf of the Persian Empire, leads a failed attack on the rebellious island of Naxos.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Ionian Revolt, Military Campaign
Ionian Revolt Sparks Persian Wars
Year: -499
Category: Warfare & Military
Aristagoras instigates the Ionian Revolt, beginning the Persian Wars between Greece and Persia.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Rebellion, Warfare, Military Conflict, Classical Antiquity, Expansionism, Empire Building
Sack of Sardis by Athenians and Ionians
Year: -499
Category: Warfare & Military
Sardis sacked by Athenian and Ionian troops.
Tags: Ancient greece, Ionian Revolt, Persian Empire, Military Conflict, Sack, Warfare, City-State, 4th Century BC
Alexander I Ascends to the Macedonian Throne
Year: -498
Category: Politics
Alexander I succeeds his father Amyntas I as king of Macedon.
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Succession
Birth of the Greek Playwright Sophocles
Year: -496
Category: Literature
Sophocles is born.
Tags: Ancient greece, Drama, Tragedy, Playwright, Classical Literature, Athenian Democracy, Theater, Sophocles
Persian Victory at the Battle of Lade
Year: -494
Category: Warfare & Military
The Battle of Lade, where Persians take back Ionia.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Ionian Revolt, Military Conflict, Naval Battle, Achaemenid Empire, Tyranny, Warfare
Mardonius's Expedition Against Greece
Year: -492
Category: Warfare & Military
First expedition of King Darius I of Persia against Greece, under the leadership of his son-in-law Mardonius. This marks the start of the campaign that culminated in the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Achaemenid Dynasty, Greco-Persian Wars, Military Campaign, Darius I, Expansionism, Warfare
Leotychidas Ascends to Spartan Kingship
Year: -491
Category: Politics
Leotychidas succeeds his cousin Demaratus as king of Sparta.
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Peloponnesian League, Aristocracy, Leadership, Succession
Athenians Defeat Persians at Marathon
Year: -490
Category: Warfare & Military
The Battle of Marathon, where Darius I of Persia is defeated by the Athenians and Plataeans under Miltiades
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Battle, Warfare, Darius I, Military History, Greco-Persian Wars
Phidippides' Run: Announcement of the Battle of Marathon Victory
Year: -490
Category: Warfare & Military
Phidippides runs 40 kilometers from Marathon to Athens to announce the news of the Greek victory; origin of the marathon long-distance race.
Tags: Ancient greece, Military History, Warfare, Running
Unification of Rhodes and City Construction Begins
Year: -489
Category: Politics
Cities of Rhodes unite and start construction of the new city of Rhodes.
Tags: Ancient greece, Infrastructure, Rhodes
Leonidas I Ascends to the Spartan Throne
Year: -488
Category: Politics
Leonidas I succeeds his brother Cleomenes I as king of Sparta after Cleomenes is judged insane.
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Military Leadership, Peloponnese
Athens Declares War on Aegina
Year: -487
Category: Warfare & Military
Aegina and Athens go to war.
Tags: Ancient greece, Warfare, Military Conflict, Peloponnese, Greek History
Archonship in Athens Becomes Elective by Lot
Year: -487
Category: Politics
Athenian Archonship becomes elective by lot, an important milestone in the move towards radical Athenian democracy.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Direct Democracy, Elections, Political Reform, Citizenship
Aeschylus Wins Athenian Poetry Prize
Year: -484
Category: Literature
Athenian playwright Aeschylus wins a poetry prize.
Tags: Ancient greece, Drama, Tragedy, Aeschylus, Poetry, Theatre
Xerxes I Plans Invasion of Greece
Year: -483
Category: Warfare & Military
Xerxes I of Persia starts planning his expedition against Greece
Tags: Ancient greece, Achaemenid Empire, Persian Empire, Xerxes I, Invasion, Warfare, Greco-Persian Wars
War Between Athens and Aegina Ends
Year: -481
Category: Warfare & Military
The Isthmus of Corinth ends a war between Athens and Aegina.
Tags: Ancient greece, Warfare, Conflict Resolution, Peloponnese, Naval Warfare
Xerxes I Launches Invasion of Greece
Year: -480
Category: Warfare & Military
King Xerxes I of Persia sets out to conquer Greece.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Achaemenid Dynasty, Greco-Persian Wars, Military Campaign, Invasion, Xerxes I
Cimon's Offering and Naval Service
Year: -480
Category: Warfare & Military
Cimon and his friends burn horse-bridles as an offering to Athena and join the marines
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Wars, Cimon, Naval Warfare, Religion, Military
Pleistarchus Ascends to the Spartan Throne
Year: -480
Category: Politics
Pleistarchus succeeds his father Leonidas I as king of Sparta.
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Succession
Battle of Artemisium: Greek and Persian Naval Clash
Year: -480
Category: Warfare & Military
August, 480 BC: Battle of Artemisium—The Persian fleet fights an inconclusive battle with the Greek allied fleet.
Tags: Ancient greece, Greco-Persian Wars, Naval Warfare, Military History, Persian Empire, Warfare
Persian Victory at the Battle of Thermopylae
Year: -480
Category: Warfare & Military
August 11, 480 BC: The Battle of Thermopylae, a costly victory by Persians over the Greeks.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Battle, Military History, Xerxes I, Warfare, Greco-Persian Wars
Greek Victory at the Battle of Salamis
Year: -480
Category: Warfare & Military
September 23, 480 BC: Battle of Salamis between Greece and Persia, leading to a Greek victory.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Naval Warfare, Warfare, Military History, Ancient Warfare, Xerxes I, Greco-Persian Wars
Greeks Defeat Persians at Plataea
Year: -479
Category: Warfare & Military
The Battle of Plataea, the Greeks defeat the Persians, ending the Persian Wars.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Persian Wars, Military History, Battle, Warfare, Xerxes I, Victory
Greek Victory at the Battle of Mycale
Year: -479
Category: Warfare & Military
Battle of Mycale.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Wars, Military History, Naval Warfare, Delian League, Victory
Delian League Established
Year: -477
Category: Politics
The Delian League is inaugurated.
Tags: Ancient greece, Alliance, Peloponnesian War, Military, Empire, Political Organization, Persian Wars
Archidamus II Becomes King of Sparta
Year: -476
Category: Politics
Archidamus II succeeds his grandfather Leotychides, who is banished to Tegea, as king of Sparta.
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Leadership, Peloponnesian League, Military
Pindar Relocates to Thebes
Year: -474
Category: Literature
Greek poet Pindar moves to Thebes.
Tags: Ancient greece, Literature, Poetry, Thebes, Patronage
Carystus Joins the Delian League
Year: -472
Category: Politics
Carystus in Euboea is forced to join the Delian League (approximate date).
Tags: Ancient greece, Delian League, Political Alliances, Greek History
Aeschylus' Play 'The Persians' Debuts
Year: -472
Category: Literature
The tragedy The Persians is produced by Aeschylus.
Tags: Ancient greece, Drama, Tragedy, Aeschylus, Warfare, Persian Wars
Themistocles Ostracized from Athens
Year: -471
Category: Politics
Athenian politician Themistocles is ostracized.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Persian Wars
Birth of Philosopher Socrates
Year: -469
Category: Philosophy & Ideas
Philosopher Socrates is born in Attica, Athens, Greece.
Tags: Ancient greece, Philosophy, Socrates, Athenian Democracy, Ethics, Thought
Sophocles Wins Athenian Drama Competition, Defeating Aeschylus
Year: -468
Category: Literature
Sophocles, Greek playwright, defeats Aeschylus for the Athenian Prize.
Tags: Ancient greece, Tragedy, Sophocles, Aeschylus, Theater, Literature
Delian League Victory over Persia at Eurymedon
Year: -466
Category: Warfare & Military
Delian League defeats Persia at the Battle of Eurymedon.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Wars, Delian League, Naval Warfare, Military History, Achaemenid Empire, Battle
Thasos' Revolt Against the Delian League
Year: -465
Category: Warfare & Military
Thasos revolts from the Delian League.
Tags: Ancient greece, Delian League, Peloponnesian War, Rebellion, Naval Warfare, City-State, Military Conflict
Spartan Earthquake, Helot Revolt, and Rising Tensions
Year: -464
Category: Warfare & Military
An earthquake in ancient Sparta, Greece leads to a Helot uprising and strained relations with Athens, one of the factors that lead to the Peloponnesian War.
Tags: Ancient greece, Earthquake, Rebellion, Peloponnesian War, Military Conflict, Social Unrest
Third Messenian War Erupts
Year: -464
Category: Warfare & Military
Third Messenian war.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnese, Warfare, Military History, Conflict
Thasos Surrenders to the Delian League
Year: -462
Category: Warfare & Military
The revolt of Thasos against the Delian League comes to an end with their surrender.
Tags: Ancient greece, Delian League, Rebellion, Siege, Military History
Cimon's Ostracism from Athens
Year: -461
Category: Politics
Athenian politician Cimon is ostracized.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Cimon, Political Intrigue, Peloponnesian War
Egyptian Revolt Against Persia and Athenian Intervention
Year: -460
Category: Warfare & Military
Egypt revolts against Persia, starting a six-year war. An Athenian force sent to attack Cyprus is diverted to support this revolt.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Rebellion, Warfare, Military History
Pleistoanax Becomes King of Sparta
Year: -459
Category: Politics
Pleistoanax succeeds his father Pleistarchus as king of Sparta.
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Peloponnesian War, Succession
Aeschylus Completes the Oresteia
Year: -458
Category: Literature
Greek playwright Aeschylus completes the Oresteia, a trilogy that tells the story of a family blood feud. The plays will have a great influence on future writers.
Tags: Ancient greece, Drama, Tragedy, Playwright, Aeschylus, Theater, Literature, Influence
Pericles' Reform Opens Athenian Offices to Commoners
Year: -457
Category: Politics
Athenian statesman Pericles' greatest reform, allowing common people to serve in any state office, inaugurates Golden Age of Ancient Athens.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Pericles, Golden Age, Political Reform, Direct Democracy
Spartan Victory at the Battle of Tanagra
Year: -457
Category: Warfare & Military
Battle of Tanagra—The Spartans defeat the Athenians, near Thebes.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military History, Battle, Warfare
Thirty Years' Truce Between Athens and Sparta
Year: -455
Category: Warfare & Military
A thirty years' truce concluded between Athens and Lacedaemon.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Truce, Military History, Diplomacy
Euripides' Debut: Presentation of 'Peliades'
Year: -455
Category: Literature
Euripides presents his first known tragedy, Peliades, in the Athenian festival of Dionysia.
Tags: Ancient greece, Tragedy, Theatre, Performance Arts, Playwright
Delian League Treasury Transferred to Athens
Year: -454
Category: Politics
The treasury of the Delian League is moved from Delos to Athens.
Tags: Ancient greece, Delian League, Pericles
Athens Makes Peace with Sparta, Then War with Persia
Year: -451
Category: Warfare & Military
Athens makes peace with Sparta and wages a war against Persia.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Persian Wars, Warfare, Military Strategy, Diplomacy
Athenians Defeat Persian Fleet in Wars of the Delian League
Year: -450
Category: Warfare & Military
Wars of the Delian League: Athenians under Cimon defeat the Persian fleet.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Delian League, Naval Warfare, Cimon, Military Conflict
Perdiccas II Ascends to the Macedonian Throne
Year: -450
Category: Politics
Perdiccas II succeeds Alexander I as king of Macedonia (approximate date).
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Succession
Peace Treaty Ends Greco-Persian Wars
Year: -449
Category: Warfare & Military
The Peace of Callias between the Delian League and Persia ends the Persian Wars.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Delian League, Peace Treaty, Warfare, Conflict Resolution, Diplomacy, Classical Antiquity
Temple of Hephaestus Construction Begins
Year: -449
Category: Religion
Construction begins on the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens.
Tags: Ancient greece, Classical Antiquity, Religion, Greek Mythology, Temple, Architecture, Art
Herodotus Completes 'The Histories'
Year: -449
Category: Literature
Herodotus completes his History, which records the events concerning the Persian War.
Tags: Ancient greece, Historiography, Persian Wars, History, Literature, Writing
Phidias Completes Statue of Athena on the Acropolis
Year: -448
Category: Art
Phidias finishes a 9 meter high statue of Athena on the Acropolis.
Tags: Ancient greece, Sculpture, Art History, Acropolis, Architecture, Greek Mythology
Parthenon Construction Begins in Athens
Year: -447
Category: Art
Athens begins construction of the Parthenon, at the initiative of Pericles.
Tags: Ancient greece, Architecture, Art, Pericles, Acropolis, Temple
Athenians Defeated at the Battle of Coronea
Year: -447
Category: Warfare & Military
Battle of Coronea—The Athenians are driven out of Boeotia.
Tags: Ancient greece, Battle, Military Conflict, Warfare, Political Instability
Achaeus of Eretria Presents His First Play
Year: -447
Category: Literature
Achaeus of Eretria, a Greek playwright, shows his first play.
Tags: Ancient greece, Drama, Playwright, Theater, Literature, Art
Pericles Negotiates Thirty Years' Peace
Year: -445
Category: Warfare & Military
Pericles declares Thirty Years' Peace between Athens and Sparta.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Pericles, Treaty, Peace, Military Strategy
Foundation of Thurii: A Greek Colony in Italy
Year: -443
Category: Society & Culture
Foundation of the Greek colony of Thurii in Italy. Its colonists include Herodotus and Lysias.
Tags: Ancient greece, Colony, Magna Graecia, Urbanization, Migration, Southern Italy
Sophocles' Plays Antigone
Year: -442
Category: Literature
Sophocles writes Antigone.
Tags: Ancient greece, Drama, Tragedy, Greek Literature, Sophocles, Theater, Political Philosophy, Human Nature
Parthenon Construction Completed
Year: -438
Category: Art
Ictinus and Callicrates finish construction of the Parthenon, located on Athens' Acropolis.
Tags: Ancient greece, Architecture, Art History, Acropolis, Athenian Democracy
Statue of Zeus at Olympia Completed
Year: -435
Category: Art
The Statue of Zeus at Olympia by Phidias, one of the seven wonders of the world, is completed.
Tags: Ancient greece, Sculpture, Art History, Architecture
Conflict Erupts Between Kerkyra and Corinth
Year: -434
Category: Warfare & Military
Conflict occurs between the Greek island of Kerkyra and its mother-city Corinth.
Tags: Ancient greece, Corinth, Naval Warfare, Peloponnesian War, Conflict, Military History
Naval Battle of Sybota
Year: -433
Category: Warfare & Military
Battle of Sybota between Kerkyra and Corinth.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Naval Warfare, Corinth, Warfare, Military Conflict
Athenian Victory at the Battle of Potidaea
Year: -432
Category: Warfare & Military
Athens defeats Corinth in the battle of Potidaea.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Corinth, Military History, Warfare, Battle
Founding of the Greek Colony Heraclea
Year: -432
Category: Politics
The Greek colony of Heraclea is founded by Tarentum and Thurii.
Tags: Ancient greece, Colonialism, Magna Graecia, Political Expansion, Foundation
Peloponnesian War Begins
Year: -431
Category: Warfare & Military
The Peloponnesian War begins between Sparta and Athens and their allies.
Tags: Ancient greece, Warfare, Conflict, Peloponnesian League, Delian League, Military History, Political Instability
Birth of the Philosopher Xenophon
Year: -430
Category: Philosophy & Ideas
The philosopher Xenophon is born.
Tags: Ancient greece, Philosophy, Classical Antiquity, Socrates, Plato, Ethics, Political Theory, History, Military History
First Performance of Sophocles's *Oedipus Rex*
Year: -430
Category: Literature
c. 430 BC: First performance of Sophocles's Oedipus Rex.
Tags: Ancient greece, Drama, Tragedy, Sophocles, Classical Literature, Theater, Greek Mythology, Playwright
Athenian Victory at the Battle of Chalcis
Year: -429
Category: Warfare & Military
Battle of Chalcis—Chalcidians and their allies are defeated by Athens.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Warfare, Military History, Chalcis, Delian League
Athenian Victory at the Battle of Naupactus
Year: -429
Category: Warfare & Military
Battle of Naupactus—Phormio defeats the Peloponnesian fleet.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Naval Warfare, Military Strategy, Battle, Warfare
King Sitalkes of Thrace Invades Macedonia
Year: -429
Category: Warfare & Military
King Sitalkes of Thrace invades Macedonia.
Tags: Ancient greece, Military Conflict, Warfare, Invasion, Peloponnesian War, Tribes
Athenian Suppression of Mytilenean Revolt
Year: -428
Category: Warfare & Military
Mytilene rebels against Athens but is crushed.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Rebellion, Siege, Naval Warfare, Military Conflict
Spartan Intervention in Corcyra Thwarted by Athenian Presence
Year: -428
Category: Warfare & Military
Sparta attempts to crush a rebellion on Corcyra, but cancels the effort when the Athenians try to intercept them.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Naval Warfare, Military Strategy, Conflict, Political Intrigue
Birth of the Philosopher Plato
Year: -428
Category: Philosophy & Ideas
The philosopher Plato is born.
Tags: Ancient greece, Philosophy, Plato, Socrates, Academy, Ideas, Political Philosophy, Metaphysics, Ethics
Execution of Mytilenian Revolt Leaders
Year: -427
Category: Politics
The leaders of the Mytilenian revolt are executed.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Rebellion, Execution, Political Purge
Spartan Destruction of Platea
Year: -427
Category: Warfare & Military
Platea surrenders to the Spartans, who execute over 200 prisoners and destroy the city.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Siege, Atrocity, Military Conflict, City-State
Athenian Naval Blockade of Syracuse
Year: -427
Category: Warfare & Military
The Athenians intervene in Sicily to blockade Sparta from the island.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Naval Warfare, Siege, Military Strategy, Conflict
Demosthenes' Siege of Leukas Fails
Year: -426
Category: Warfare & Military
Demosthenes unsuccessfully besieges the Corinthian colony of Leukas.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military History, Siege Warfare, Demosthenes, Corinth
Athenians Defeat Spartans at the Battle of Olpae
Year: -426
Category: Warfare & Military
When Ambracia invades Acarnania, they seek help from the Spartans and Athenians respectively. The Athenians then defeat the Spartans in the Battle of Olpae.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military History, Warfare
Demosthenes Captures Pylos
Year: -425
Category: Warfare & Military
Demosthenes captures the port of Pylos in the Peloponnesus.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military History, Naval Warfare, Siege, Demosthenes, Military Tactics
Athenians Defeat Spartans at Battle of Pylos (Sphacteria)
Year: -425
Category: Warfare & Military
The Athenians invade Sphacteria and defeat the Spartans in the Battle of Pylos.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military History, Naval Warfare, Battle, Warfare
Sicily's Withdrawal from War Forces Athenian Retreat
Year: -424
Category: Warfare & Military
Sicily withdraws from the war and expels every foreign power. Thus, Athens is forced to withdraw from the island.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military Strategy, Withdrawal, Conflict, Political Instability, Ancient Warfare
Spartan Victory Over Athenian Attempt to Capture Megara
Year: -424
Category: Warfare & Military
The Athenians try to capture Megara, but are defeated by the Spartans.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military Conflict, Siege, Military History
Brasidas Captures Amphipolis, Leading to Thucydides' Exile
Year: -424
Category: Warfare & Military
The Spartan general Brasidas captures Amphipolis, which is a setback for Athens. Thucydides is held responsible for the Athenian failure and is ostracised. This gives him time to start writing his history book.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military History, Siege Warfare, Exile, Warfare
Athenian Cease-Fire Proposal Rejected by Brasidas
Year: -423
Category: Warfare & Military
The Athenians propose a cease-fire, which the Spartan general Brasidas ignores.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military Strategy, Diplomacy, Warfare, Conflict
Spartan Victory at Amphipolis, Deaths of Cleon and Brasidas
Year: -422
Category: Warfare & Military
The Spartans defeat the Athenians in the Battle of Amphipolis, where the Athenian Cleon and the Spartan Brasidas are both killed.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military History, Battle, Warfare
Athens and Sparta Sign Peace Treaty of Nicias
Year: -421
Category: Warfare & Military
The Peace of Nicias puts a temporary end to the hostilities between Athens and Sparta.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Peace Treaty, Warfare, Military History, Diplomacy
Alcibiades Elected Strategos, Ascends to Athenian Political Dominance
Year: -420
Category: Politics
Alcibiades is elected strategos of Athens and begins dominating Athenian politics.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Alcibiades, Leadership, Military Strategy, Peloponnesian War, Warfare, Diplomacy
Sparta Defeats Argos, Violating Peace of Nicias
Year: -419
Category: Warfare & Military
The Peace of Nicias is broken when Sparta defeats Argos.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Argos, Military Conflict
Spartan Victory at the Battle of Mantinea
Year: -418
Category: Warfare & Military
The Spartans win a major victory over the Athenians in the Battle of Mantinea, the biggest land battle of the Peloponnesian War.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military History, Battle, Warfare, 4th Century BC, Conflict
Athenian Sack of Melos
Year: -416
Category: Warfare & Military
The Athenians capture the island of Melos and treat the inhabitants with great cruelty.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military Conflict, Siege, Atrocities, War Crimes, Expansionism, Classical Antiquity
Athens Plans Sicilian Expedition
Year: -416
Category: Warfare & Military
The Athenians adhere to a plea of help from Sicily and start planning an invasion of the island.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military Strategy, Naval Warfare, Expansionism, Political Intrigue
Mutilation of the Hermae and the Condemnation of Alcibiades
Year: -415
Category: Politics
The sacred Hermae busts in Athens are mutilated just before the expedition to Sicily is sent away. One of the culprits, Andocides, is captured and is forced to turn informer. He names the other mutilators, among them Alcibiades, who are sentenced to death in their absence.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Peloponnesian War, Alcibiades, Political Intrigue, Military Campaign
Alcibiades' Defection to Sparta
Year: -415
Category: Warfare & Military
Alcibiades defects from Athens to Sparta after having learned about his death sentence.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military Strategy, Political Intrigue, Alcibiades, Warfare
Athenian Defeat at Syracuse
Year: -414
Category: Warfare & Military
The Athenians try to make a breakthrough in their siege of Syracuse but are defeated by the Spartans.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Siege Warfare, Military History, Naval Warfare, Syracuse, Warfare
Athenian Defeat at Syracuse; Death of Demosthenes and Nicias
Year: -413
Category: Warfare & Military
Demosthenes suggests the Athenians leave Syracuse in order to return to Athens, where help is needed. However, Nicias refuses and they are again defeated in battle by the Spartans. Both Demosthenes and Nicias are killed.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military Defeat, Demosthenes, Naval Warfare
Caria Forms Alliance with Sparta
Year: -413
Category: Warfare & Military
Caria allies itself with Sparta.
Tags: Ancient greece, Alliance, Peloponnesian War, Military Strategy, Diplomacy, Warfare
Persian Preparations for Ionian Invasion and Alliance with Sparta
Year: -412
Category: Warfare & Military
The Persian Empire starts preparing an invasion of Ionia and signs a treaty with Sparta about it.
Tags: Persian Empire, Peloponnesian War, Ancient greece, Military Alliance, Invasion, Diplomacy, Warfare
Athenian Democracy Overthrown and Restored
Year: -411
Category: Politics
The democracy in Athens is overthrown and replaced by the oligarchic Council of Four Hundred. This council is itself soon defeated and order is almost restored, when the Five Thousand start ruling. Early next year, they are also overthrown and the old democracy is restored.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Oligarchy, Political Instability, Tyranny, Government
Athens Reclaims Black Sea Grain Route at Battle of Cyzicus
Year: -410
Category: Warfare & Military
Athens regains control over its vital grain route from the Black Sea by defeating Sparta in the Battle of Cyzicus.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Naval Warfare, Military Strategy, Trade, Black Sea, Warfare
Athenian Recapture of Byzantium
Year: -409
Category: Warfare & Military
Athens recaptures Byzantium, thereby putting an end to its revolt against Athens and taking control of the whole Bosporus.
Tags: Ancient greece, Military History, Warfare, Peloponnesian War
Foundation of Rhodes
Year: -409
Category: Society & Culture
The city of Rhodes is founded.
Tags: Ancient greece, City-State, Urbanization, Rhodes, Society
Darius II Aids Sparta and Cyrus' Ambition
Year: -408
Category: Warfare & Military
The Persian king, Darius II, decides to aid Sparta in the war and makes his son Cyrus a satrap. However, Cyrus starts collecting an army to benefit his own interests, rather than his father's.
Tags: Ancient greece, Persian Empire, Peloponnesian War, Political Intrigue, Imperialism
Alcibiades' Triumphant Return to Athens
Year: -408
Category: Politics
Alcibiades returns to Athens in triumph after an absence of seven years.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Alcibiades, Military Leaders, Exile, Warfare
Athenian Fleet Defeated at Notium, Alcibiades Loses Command
Year: -407
Category: Warfare & Military
The Athenian fleet is routed by the Spartan one in the Battle of Notium, which gives Alcibiades' opponents a reason to strip him of command. He never returns to Athens again.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Naval Warfare, Alcibiades, Military Defeat, Political Intrigue, Warfare
Athenian Victory at Arginusae and Lifting of Conon's Blockade
Year: -406
Category: Warfare & Military
Athens defeats Sparta in the Battle of Arginusae and the blockade of Conon is lifted.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Naval Warfare, Military History, Warfare
Athens Rejects Spartan Peace Overtures
Year: -406
Category: Warfare & Military
Sparta sues for peace, but Athens rejects this.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Warfare, Military, Conflict, Negotiation
Pausanias' Siege of Athens
Year: -405
Category: Warfare & Military
The Spartan king Pausanias lays siege to Athens, which makes the city start starving.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Siege, Military History, Conflict, Warfare
Athens Surrenders to Sparta, Ending Peloponnesian War
Year: -404
Category: Warfare & Military
April 25, 404 BC: Athens surrenders to Sparta, ending the Peloponnesian War. Sparta introduces an oligarchic system, the Thirty Tyrants, in Athens.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Oligarchy, Warfare, Military History
Athenian Exiles Defeated at Piraeus, Democracy Restored
Year: -403
Category: Warfare & Military
Some exiled Athenians return to fight the Thirty Tyrants and restore democracy in Athens. They are, however, narrowly defeated by the Spartans in the Battle of Piraeus. After this, the Spartan king Pausanias allows democracy to be restored in Athens.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Peloponnesian War, Exile, Tyranny, Political Instability, Warfare
Thrasybulus Restores Athenian Democracy and Grants Amnesty
Year: -403
Category: Politics
Thrasybulus restores the Athenian democracy and grants an almost general amnesty.
Tags: Ancient greece, Athenian Democracy, Tyranny, Oligarchy, Civil War
Athenians Adopt the Ionian Alphabet
Year: -403
Category: Society & Culture
The Athenians adopt the Ionian alphabet.
Tags: Ancient greece, Alphabet, Literacy, Communication, Language
Sparta Declares War on Persia Following Greek Mercenary March
Year: -400
Category: Warfare & Military
After Cyrus has been killed, his Greek mercenaries make their way back to Greece, where Sparta is so impressed with their feats in and march through Persia that they declare war on the Persians.
Tags: Ancient greece, Warfare, Mercenaries, Military Conflict, Peloponnesian League, Achaemenid Empire, Greek History
Socrates' Death: Condemnation and Execution in Athens
Year: -399
Category: Philosophy & Ideas
The Greek philosopher Socrates is sentenced to death by Athenian authorities, condemned for impiety and the corruption of youth. He refuses to flee into exile and dies by drinking hemlock.
Tags: Ancient greece, Philosophy, Socrates, Athenian Democracy, Ethics, Western Thought, Trial
Corinthian War Begins
Year: -395
Category: Warfare & Military
The "Corinthian War" begins, with Athens, Thebes, Corinth and Argos (with the backing of Persia) against Sparta.
Tags: Ancient greece, Warfare, Thebes, Persian Empire, Military Conflict
Peace Conference Fails: Athens Rejects Spartan Terms
Year: -392
Category: Politics
A peace conference between the Greek city-states is held in Sparta. Andocides, Athenian orator and politician, goes with three colleagues to negotiate peace with Sparta. The conference is unsuccessful and Athens rejects the terms and exiles the ambassadors.
Tags: Ancient greece, Diplomacy, Political Conflict, Peloponnesian War, Exile
Hakor of Egypt Forms Alliance with Cyprus and Athens
Year: -390
Category: Politics
The Pharaoh of Egypt, Hakor (Akoris), concludes a tripartite alliance with Evagoras, king of Cyprus, and Athens.
Tags: Ancient greece, Diplomacy, Alliance, Pharaoh, Military Strategy
Plato's First Journey to Syracuse
Year: -388
Category: Philosophy & Ideas
Plato, having left Athens on Socrates' death to visit Megara and possibly Egypt, travels to Syracuse at the invitation of Dionysius I's brother-in-law Dion.
Tags: Ancient greece, Philosophy, Plato, Socrates, Syracuse, Political Philosophy, Academy, Intellectual History
Corinthian War Ends: Thebes Disbands League, Corinth Returns to Spartan Control
Year: -387
Category: Warfare & Military
Under the threat of Spartan intervention, Thebes disbands its league, and Argos and Corinth end their shared government. Corinth, deprived of its strong ally, is incorporated back into Sparta's Peloponnesian League. After eight years of fighting, the Corinthian War is at an end.
Tags: Ancient greece, Warfare, Corinth, Thebes, Peloponnesian League, Military Alliances, Conflict Resolution
Plato Founds the Platonic Academy
Year: -387
Category: Philosophy & Ideas
Plato founds the Platonic Academy in Athens, where he teaches Aristotle until 347 BC.
Tags: Ancient greece, Philosophy, Plato, Academy, Education, Aristotle, Ideas, Socrates
Plato Founds the Academy
Year: -385
Category: Philosophy & Ideas
Plato forms his Academy, teaching mathematics, astronomy and other sciences as well as philosophy. It is dedicated to the Attic hero Academus. Philanthropists bear all costs; students pay no fees.
Tags: Ancient greece, Philosophy, Education, Academy, Plato, Mathematics, Astronomy, Socrates
Lysias's Olympiad Rebuke: Criticizing Greek Subjugation
Year: -384
Category: Politics
Lysias, the Athenian orator, on the occasion of the Olympiad, rebukes the Greeks for allowing themselves to be dominated by the Syracusan tyrant Dionysius I and by the barbarian Persians.
Tags: Ancient greece, Rhetoric, Oratory, Tyranny, Persian Empire, Athenian Democracy
Greeks Found Pharos, Defeat Iadasinoi Warriors
Year: -384
Category: Warfare & Military
The Greeks found the colony of Pharos at the site of today's Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, defeating Iadasinoi warriors brought in for its defense.
Tags: Ancient greece, Colonialism, Military Conflict, Settlement, Warfare
Sparta Rebuilds Plataea
Year: -381
Category: Politics
Sparta increases its hold on central Greece by reestablishing the city of Plataea, which Sparta formerly destroyed in 427 BC.
Tags: Ancient greece, Peloponnesian War, Military, Reconstruction, Greek History
Cleombrotus I Ascends to the Spartan Throne
Year: -380
Category: Politics
Cleombrotus I succeeds his brother Agesipolis I as king of Sparta.
Tags: Ancient greece, Monarchy, Peloponnesian League, Succession
Rome's War Against Philip and Antiochus
Year: -332
Category: Warfare & Military
-AD 642: From Alexander to the Arab Conquest (University of California Press, 1989), p30
^ Errington, R. M. (1989). "Rome against Philip and Antiochus". In Astin, A. E.; Walbank, F. W.; Frederiksen, M. W.; Ogilvie, R. M. (eds.). The Cambridge Ancient History 8: Rome and the Mediterranean to
Tags: Ancient rome, Ancient greece, Military Campaign, Expansionism, Warfare
Division of Alexander's Empire: The Partition of Babylon
Year: -323
Category: Politics
The Partition of Babylon saw Alexander the Great's empire divided among his generals after his death, a compromise reached largely due to disagreements over who should rule and the impending birth of an heir.
Tags: Ancient greece, Alexander the Great, Empire, Partition, Power Struggle, Military
Ptolemy Captures Lycia and Caria
Year: -309
Category: Warfare & Military
Ptolemy personally commands a fleet that captures the coastal regions of Lycia and Caria from Antigonus.
Tags: Ancient greece, Ptolemaic Kingdom, Antigonid Dynasty, Military Campaign, Naval Warfare, Territorial Disputes
Cassander Executes Roxana and Alexander IV of Macedon
Year: -309
Category: Politics
Cassander, who has held Roxana, widow of Alexander the Great, in prison for a number of years, has her put to death along with her young son Alexander, the nominal King Alexander IV of Macedon.
Tags: Ancient greece, Macedonian Empire, Political Intrigue, Succession, Dynastic Conflict
Ptolemy Seizes Corinth, Sicyon, and Megara
Year: -308
Category: Warfare & Military
Ptolemy crosses from Asia Minor into Greece, where he takes possession of Corinth, Sicyon and Megara.
Tags: Ancient greece, Ptolemaic Kingdom, Military Campaign, Corinth, Territorial Control
Ptolemy and Cassander Forge Peace Agreement
Year: -308
Category: Politics
Ptolemy makes peace with Cassander
Tags: Ancient greece, Diadochi, Ptolemaic Kingdom, Macedonian Empire, Political Alliances, Conflict Resolution, Diplomacy
Cleopatra of Macedon Assassinated by Order of Antigonus
Year: -308
Category: Politics
Cleopatra of Macedon is assassinated by the order of Antigonus
Tags: Ancient greece, Antigonid Dynasty, Macedonian Empire, Assassination, Political Intrigue, Power Struggle, Diadochi
Political Fragmentation and Shifting Power Dynamics in the Mediterranean
Year: -300
Category: Politics
The end of the 4th century BC, and the start of the 3rd century BC.
Tags: Ancient greece, Diadochi, Alexander the Great, Monarchy, Ptolemaic Dynasty, Seleucid Empire, Political Instability, Empire Building
Demetrius I Seizes Macedonian Throne, Ending Antipatrid Dynasty
Year: -294
Category: Politics
Antipater II of Macedon is killed by Lysimachus, allowing Demetrius I to become king of Macedonia, thus ending the Antipatrid dynasty's control over Hellenistic Greece and ushering in a period of rule by the Antigonid dynasty.
Tags: Ancient greece, Antigonid Dynasty, Monarchy, Succession
Achaean League Established
Year: -281
Category: Politics
Achaean League founded in Greece.
Tags: Ancient greece, League, Federalism, Regional Power, Military Alliance
Pyrrhus of Epirus Invades Italy
Year: -280
Category: Warfare & Military
King Pyrrhus of Epirus invades Italy in an attempt to subjugate the Romans and bring Italy under a new empire ruled by himself.
Tags: Ancient Warfare, Ancient greece, Ancient rome, Military Campaign, Monarchy, Expansionism, Battle
Colossus of Rhodes Completed
Year: -280
Category: Art
Construction of the Colossus of Rhodes is completed.
Tags: Ancient greece, Sculpture, Monument, Art History, Rhodes, Architecture
Antigonus II Defeats Gallic Invasion at Lysimachia
Year: -277
Category: Warfare & Military
in the Battle of Lysimachia, the invasion by Gauls is finally defeated by Antigonus II of Macedon.
Tags: Ancient greece, Gauls, Military History, Battle, Invasions, Ancient Warfare
Achaean League's Surprise Attack on Corinth
Year: -243
Category: Warfare & Military
Surprise attack on the Macedonian garrison at Corinth. Expansion of the Achaean League.
Tags: Ancient greece, Achaean League, Macedonian Empire, Military Conflict, Corinth, Expansionism, Political Strategy
Roman Victory in the First Illyrian War
Year: -229
Category: Warfare & Military
The First Illyrian War ends with a Roman victory.
Tags: Ancient rome, Warfare, Military History, Expansionism, Ancient Warfare, Punic Wars
Peloponnesian Tyrants Abdicate, Argos Joins Achaean League, Athens Liberated
Year: -229
Category: Politics
Last tyrants on the Peloponnese abdicate, Argos joins the Achaean League, Athens liberated from Macedonian garrison.
Tags: Ancient greece, Achaean League, Tyranny, Democracy, Argos, Political Alliances, Liberation
Spartan Defeat at Sellasia Ends Cleomenean War
Year: -222
Category: Warfare & Military
Spartan defeat in the Battle of Sellasia ends the Cleomenean War.
Tags: Ancient greece, Military History, Warfare, Battle, Achaean League, Conflict
The Social War of Greece Begins
Year: -220
Category: Warfare & Military
the Social War (220–217 BC) of Greece begins, pitting Macedonia and the Achaean League against Sparta and the Aetolian League, ultimately resulting in a Macedonian-Achaean victory with territorial gains for each.
Tags: Ancient greece, Warfare, Military Conflict, Achaean League, Territorial Disputes
First Macedonian War Begins
Year: -214
Category: Warfare & Military
In the Mediterranean, the First Macedonian War between Rome and Macedon begins, with Rome encouraging its Greek allies, such as Attalus I of Pergamon, to attack the forces of Philip V of Macedon.
Tags: Ancient rome, Ancient greece, Military Conflict, Warfare
Macedonian-Rhodian Naval Conflict Begins
Year: -205
Category: Warfare & Military
the Cretan War (205–200 BC) begins between Macedonia and its allies against the Greek polis of Rhodes and its allies, resulting in a Rhodian victory.
Tags: Ancient greece, Warfare, Naval Warfare, Rhodes, Military Conflict, Alliances
Rome Declares War on Macedon
Year: -200
Category: Warfare & Military
The Second Macedonian War between Rome and Macedon begins.
Tags: Ancient rome, Ancient greece, Warfare, Conflict, Expansionism, Military History, Political Instability
Pergamon and Rome Defeat the Galatians
Year: -189
Category: Warfare & Military
In 188 BC, Roman-allied Pergamon defeated the Galatians, while China saw the brief reigns of child emperors Qianshao and Houshao, under the regency of Empress Lü, until Emperor Wen ascended the throne in 180 BC amidst the fall of the Lü clan.
Tags: Warfare, Ancient greece, Ancient rome, Galatia, Military History, Conflicts
Roman Victory at Pydna Ends Antigonid Kingdom; Seleucid Setback in Egypt
Year: -168
Category: Warfare & Military
The Roman victory at Pydna in 168 BC ended the Antigonid Kingdom of Macedon, while in the same period, the Seleucid Empire, under Antiochus IV, faced setbacks in Egypt and internal conflicts, including a succession crisis following his death and rebellions in its eastern territories.
Tags: Ancient rome, Seleucid Empire, Ancient greece, Military Conflict, Ancient Warfare, Expansionism
Defeat of Andriscus, End of Macedonian Independence
Year: -116
Category: Politics
Andriscus, last independent ruler of Macedon
Tags: Ancient rome, Ancient greece, Political Conflict, Military History, Expansionism, Antigonid Dynasty, Rebellion
Death of Lucius Mummius Achaicus, Roman Conqueror
Year: -116
Category: Warfare & Military
Lucius Mummius Achaicus, conqueror of Corinth
Tags: Ancient rome, Military History, Conquest, Corinth, Ancient greece
Death of Perseus, Last King of Macedon
Year: -116
Category: Politics
Perseus of Macedon, last King of the Antigonid dynasty
Tags: Ancient greece, Antigonid Dynasty, Monarchy, Ancient rome, Political History
Death of the Greek Poet Bion of Smyrna
Year: -116
Category: Literature
Bion of Smyrna, Greek poet
Tags: Ancient greece, Poetry, Literature, Greek Literature
Posidonius's Flourishing Intellectual Career Begins
Year: -116
Category: Philosophy & Ideas
Posidonius, Greek philosopher, geographer, astronomer and historian
Tags: Ancient greece, Philosophy, Stoicism, Geographer, Historian, Intellectual History
Mithridates' Invasion of Cappadocia and the Outbreak of the First Mithridatic War
Year: -89
Category: Warfare & Military
Mithridates VI of Pontus's invasion of Cappadocia leads to the First Mithridatic War with the Roman Republic.
Tags: Ancient rome, Mithridates VI, Wars, Ancient greece, Military Conflict, Expansionism, Conflict
Roman Conquest of Athens
Year: -86
Category: Warfare & Military
Siege of Athens ends with Roman conquest of Athens.
Tags: Ancient rome, Siege, Military History, Ancient greece, Warfare, Conquest, Military Campaign
Sulla's Victory at the Battle of Orchomenus
Year: -85
Category: Warfare & Military
Sulla defeats the forces of Mithridates VI in Greece at the Battle of Orchomenus
Tags: Ancient rome, Mithridatic Wars, Sulla, Ancient greece, Military History, Battle, Conflict
Sulla's Peace with Mithridates and March on Rome
Year: -83
Category: Warfare & Military
Sulla makes peace with Mithridates VI and marches on Rome.
Tags: Ancient rome, Sulla, Mithridates VI, Civil War, Military Dictatorship, Political Instability, Power Struggle
Second Mithridatic War Begins
Year: -81
Category: Warfare & Military
83-81 BC: Lucius Licinius Murena wages the Second Mithridatic War.
Tags: Ancient rome, Mithridates VI, Warfare, Military Conflict, Conflict
Third Mithridatic War Begins
Year: -74
Category: Warfare & Military
Mithridates VI of Pontus disputes Nicomedes IV of Bithynia's bequest of his kingdom to the Roman Republic, beginning the Third Mithridatic War.
Tags: Ancient rome, Mithridates VI, Ancient greece, Warfare, Conflict, Military
Pompey Takes Command in the Third Mithridatic War
Year: -68
Category: Warfare & Military
Pompey replaces Lucullus as leader of the Roman forces in the Third Mithridatic War.
Tags: Ancient rome, Pompey the Great, Military Command, Ancient Warfare, Ancient greece, Lucullus
Pompey's Campaign Against Mediterranean Pirates
Year: -67
Category: Warfare & Military
Pompey is given a three-year extraordinary command against the pirates plaguing the Mediterranean and defeats them in forty days.
Tags: Ancient rome, Pompey the Great, Piracy, Mediterranean Sea, Naval Warfare, Military Command, Military History
Pompey's Victory Over Mithridates at the Battle of the Lycus
Year: -66
Category: Warfare & Military
Pompey drives Mithridates VI out of Asia Minor (Battle of the Lycus).
Tags: Ancient rome, Mithridatic Wars, Pompey the Great, Ancient Warfare, Military History, Ancient greece, Battle
Mithridates VI's Suicide Ends Third Mithridatic War
Year: -63
Category: Warfare & Military
Mithridates VI commits suicide, ending the Third Mithridatic War.
Tags: Ancient rome, Mithridatic Wars, Mithridates VI, Warfare, Ancient Warfare, Ancient greece, Military History
Formation of the First Triumvirate
Year: -60
Category: Politics
Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus form the First Triumvirate
Tags: Ancient rome, Julius Caesar, Political Alliance, Power Struggle
Caesar's Victory Over Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus
Year: -48
Category: Warfare & Military
Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at the Battle of Pharsalus.
Tags: Ancient rome, Civil War, Julius Caesar, Pompey the Great, Military History, Battle, Dictatorship
Caesar Refounds Carthage and Corinth as Roman Colonies
Year: -44
Category: Politics
Julius Caesar re-founds Carthage and Corinth as Roman colonies.
Tags: Ancient rome, Julius Caesar, Colonialism, Urban Planning, Expansionism, Military Campaign, Ancient greece
Second Triumvirate Established in Rome
Year: -43
Category: Politics
Octavian, Mark Antony, and Lepidus form the Second Triumvirate and take control of Rome.
Tags: Ancient rome, Roman Empire, Octavian, Mark Antony, Civil War, Power Struggle, Political Alliance
Second Triumvirate Victorious at Battle of Philippi
Year: -42
Category: Warfare & Military
Second Triumvirate defeats Julius Caesar's assassins at the Battle of Philippi
Tags: Ancient rome, Civil War, Battle, Military, Octavian, Mark Antony, Political Violence
Outbreak of the Final War of the Roman Republic
Year: -32
Category: Warfare & Military
disagreements between Octavian and Mark Antony cause the outbreak of the Final War of the Roman Republic.
Tags: Ancient rome, Civil War, Octavian, Mark Antony, Military Conflict, Political Instability, Hellenistic World
Octavian's Victory at Actium
Year: -31
Category: Warfare & Military
Battle of Actium: Octavian defeats troops under Mark Antony and Cleopatra, becoming de facto ruler of the Roman empire.
Tags: Ancient rome, Roman Empire, Civil War, Octavian, Mark Antony, Cleopatra, Naval Battle, Military History, Political Transition
Octavian Becomes Augustus, Marking the End of the Roman Republic
Year: -27
Category: Politics
the Roman Senate votes Octavian the title of Augustus. Augustus eventually assumes all authority formerly held by the Roman senate becoming the first emperor. This is traditionally taken as the end of the Roman Republic and the beginning of the Principate (27 BC-AD 235).
Tags: Roman Empire, Principate, Augustus, Ancient rome, Republic, Emperor, Political Transition, Imperialism, Governance
