Ancient Greece
Birthplace of democracy, philosophy, theater, and the Olympic Games. Athens under Pericles and the conquests of Alexander the Great.
Key Facts
Democracy invented
Olympic Games
Greek philosophy (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle)
Key Events
First Olympic Games
The first recorded Olympic Games are held at Olympia in Greece. Athletics, wrestling, and chariot racing unite the Greek city-states in peaceful competition.
Homer Composes the Iliad & Odyssey
The poet Homer composes the Iliad and Odyssey — epic poems of the Trojan War and Odysseus's journey home. They become foundational texts of Western literature.
Athenian Democracy Founded
Cleisthenes reforms Athens, creating the world's first democratic government.
Battle of Marathon
Athenian forces defeat the invading Persian army, saving Greek independence. A messenger runs ~40km to Athens — birth of the marathon.
Battle of Thermopylae
300 Spartans and allied Greeks make a legendary last stand against Xerxes' massive Persian army at the narrow pass of Thermopylae.
Parthenon Built in Athens
Pericles commissions the Parthenon — a temple to Athena that becomes the greatest symbol of ancient Greek architecture and democracy.
Execution of Socrates
Socrates is condemned to death by drinking hemlock for 'corrupting the youth' of Athens. His method of questioning (Socratic method) becomes the foundation of Western philosophy.
Alexander's Conquests Begin
Alexander the Great crosses into Asia, beginning a decade-long campaign that creates an empire stretching from Greece to India.