Greek Golden Age Timeline

Thales of Miletus, a Greek philosopher, predicts a solar eclipse which occurred in 585 BC. This prediction is considered to be one of the earliest recorded successful predictions of a celestial event.

Image source: Eclipse of Thales

Image source: Pythagorean theorem

Democritus proposes the concept of atoms (460 BC)

Anaxagoras proposes that the moon reflects the sun's light (450 BC)

Image source: Moon

Zeno of Elea formulates paradoxes (450 BC)

Hippocrates establishes the Hippocratic Oath in 400 BC. The Hippocratic Oath is a set of ethical guidelines for physicians, emphasizing the importance of treating patients with integrity, confidentiality, and compassion.

Image source: Hippocratic Oath

Socrates' trial and execution take place in Athens. He is accused of corrupting the minds of young Athenians and not recognizing the gods recognized by the state. Socrates is found guilty and sentenced to death by drinking a cup of poison hemlock. He accepts the sentence and faces his execution without fear.

Plato founds the Academy in Athens (387 BC).

Image source: Platonic Academy

Plato's 'Republic' written

Image source: Republic (Plato)

The Battle of Marathon was a crucial battle between the Greek city-state of Athens and the Persian Empire. It took place in 490 BC during the first Persian invasion of Greece. The Persian forces, led by King Darius I, planned to conquer Athens and subjugate the Greek city-states. The Athenians, under the leadership of General Miltiades, assembled a small but determined force to defend their city. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Greeks managed to defeat the Persians and secure a decisive victory. The Battle of Marathon is considered a turning point in the Greco-Persian Wars and marked the first major Greek victory against the Persians. It also showcased the effectiveness of the hoplite infantry and demonstrated the importance of strategy and discipline in warfare. The Athenians credited their victory to the gods and believed that their faith in the gods had played a significant role in their success.

Image source: Battle of Marathon

The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas I of Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I. The battle took place in 480 BC and lasted for three days. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Greeks put up a fierce resistance and inflicted heavy casualties on the Persian forces. However, they were eventually defeated when a local resident showed the Persians a mountain path that allowed them to surround the Greek army. The Battle of Thermopylae is considered a significant moment in Greek history as it showcased the bravery and military prowess of the Greek warriors.

Image source: Battle of Thermopylae

The Battle of Salamis was a naval battle fought between an alliance of Greek city-states and the Persian Empire in September 480 BC. The Greek victory at Salamis marked a turning point in the Persian Wars and is considered one of the greatest military achievements in ancient Greek history. The Greek fleet, led by Themistocles, lured the Persian fleet into the narrow straits of Salamis, where the larger Persian ships were at a disadvantage. The Greek ships, using their superior maneuverability, were able to outflank and destroy many of the Persian ships, leading to a decisive Greek victory. The Battle of Salamis prevented the Persian Empire from conquering Greece and preserved the independence and cultural heritage of the Greek city-states.

Image source: Battle of Salamis

The Battle of Artemisium was a naval engagement between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire during the second Persian invasion of Greece. It took place in August or September 480 BC, parallel to the Battle of Thermopylae on land.

Image source: Battle of Artemisium

The Battle of Himera was fought in 480 BC between the Greek city-state of Syracuse and the Carthaginians. The Greek city of Himera had requested help from Syracuse to defend against the Carthaginian invasion. The Syracuse army, led by Gelon, successfully defeated the Carthaginians and secured Himera's independence.

The Battle of Plataea was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by the Spartans, and the Persian Empire, led by King Xerxes. It took place in 479 BC near the city of Plataea in Boeotia, Greece. The Greek victory in this battle marked the end of the Persian Wars and the beginning of the Golden Age of Athens.

Image source: Battle of Plataea

The Battle of Mycale occurred in 479 BC during the Greco-Persian Wars. It was a naval battle between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire. The Greek fleet, led by the Athenians, was victorious and managed to liberate the Ionian Greek cities from Persian control. This battle marked the end of Persian expansion into Greece and further established the dominance of the Greek city-states in the Aegean region.

Image source: Battle of Mycale

The Peloponnesian War begins in 431 BC and ends in 404 BC. It was a war fought between the two leading city-states of ancient Greece, Athens and Sparta, along with their respective allies. The war was mainly fought on land and sea, with Athens having a strong navy and Sparta having a strong army. The war lasted for 27 years and had a major impact on the balance of power in Greece.

Aeschylus' play 'Persians' premieres in Athens. It is based on the Greek victory over the Persians in the Battle of Salamis. The play is the oldest surviving Greek tragedy and is a patriotic celebration of the Greek triumph.

Aeschylus' play 'The Oresteia' premieres in 458 BC. This three-part tragedy tells the story of the House of Atreus and explores themes of justice, revenge, and the transformation of society. It is considered a masterpiece of Greek drama and a reflection of the ideals and values of the Greek Golden Age.

Image source: Oresteia

Sophocles' play 'Ajax' premieres

Image source: Ajax (play)

Sophocles' play 'Antigone' premieres in 441 BC.

Image source: Antigone (Sophocles play)

Herodotus completes "The Histories" in 440 BC. "The Histories" is a historical work written by Herodotus, often referred to as the "Father of History". It is considered to be the first major work of history in Western literature. The book chronicles the Persian Wars and provides valuable insights into the ancient world, including the history, customs, and beliefs of various civilizations.

Image source: Herodotus

Herodotus' "The Histories" is a book written in Ancient Greece during the Greek Golden Age. It was published in 440 BC. The book is a collection of historical accounts and observations, covering a wide range of topics including politics, wars, cultures, and traditions of different civilizations. Herodotus is often referred to as the "Father of History" as he was one of the first historians to collect and analyze factual information in a systematic manner.

Sophocles' play 'Oedipus Rex' premieres in Athens. It is believed to have been performed for the first time during the City Dionysia festival in 429 BC. The play tells the tragic story of Oedipus, a king who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother, fulfilling a prophecy. 'Oedipus Rex' is considered one of the greatest tragedies of ancient Greek theater.

Image source: Oedipus Rex

Euripides' play 'Hippolytus' premieres.

Aristophanes' play 'The Clouds' premieres in Athens, Greece. The play is a comedy that satirizes philosophers, particularly Socrates, and their teachings. It is known for its portrayal of Socrates as a sophist and its criticism of intellectual pursuits. The premiere of 'The Clouds' is a significant event in the Greek Golden Age as it reflects the growing skepticism towards traditional beliefs and the rise of new ideas and philosophies.

Aristophanes' play 'The Birds' premieres in 414 BC. It is a comedic satire about two men who persuade birds to build a new city in the sky, thereby creating a utopian world. The play critiques the Athenian society and its political system.

Image source: Electra (Euripides play)

Thucydides' 'History of the Peloponnesian War' is published. It is a meticulous and influential account of the conflict between Athens and Sparta, covering events from 431 BC to 411 BC.

Aristophanes' play 'Lysistrata' premieres in Athens. It is a comedic play about a woman named Lysistrata who convinces the women of Greece to withhold sexual privileges from their husbands as a way to force them to negotiate peace and end the Peloponnesian War.

Euripides' play "The Bacchae" premieres in Athens, Greece. The exact date is believed to be around 405 BC, towards the end of Euripides' life. The play is based on the mythical story of Dionysus, the god of wine, and his revenge on Thebes for denying his divinity. It explores themes of religion, power, and the clash between the rational and irrational. The play was not well-received during Euripides' lifetime but has since been recognized as one of his greatest works and an influential play in Greek tragedy.

Image source: The Bacchae

Thucydides' 'The Funeral Oration of Pericles' is a famous speech given by Pericles, a prominent statesman and general of Athens, during the Peloponnesian War. The speech was delivered in 404 BC, at the end of the first year of the war. Pericles delivered the speech to honor the soldiers who had died in battle and to inspire the living to continue fighting for their city-state. The speech is known for its emphasis on Athenian democracy and the values of the city-state.

Pericles' Funeral Oration was a speech given by the Athenian statesman Pericles during the Peloponnesian War. It was delivered in 431 BC to honor the Athenian soldiers who had died in battle. In the speech, Pericles praised the Athenian democracy and its values, highlighting the virtues of the fallen soldiers and emphasizing the importance of defending Athens and its way of life. The Funeral Oration is considered one of the greatest examples of ancient Greek rhetoric and a celebration of Athenian democracy and culture.

Image source: Pericles's Funeral Oration