Ancient Athens

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Timeline: Ancient Athens

Years: c. 1100 BCE - 529	Subject: Classical studies
Publisher: HistoryWorld	Online Publication Date: 2012
Current online version: 2012	eISBN: 9780191736452

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BCE CE

Year	Event
c. 1100 BCE	Athens, not reached by the invading Dorians, becomes a surviving outpost of Mycenaean civilization Go to Mycenaean civilization in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 3100-1000 BCE Europe Greece
c. 900 BCE	With the encouragements of Athens, non-Dorian Greeks migrate to form colonies on the west coast of Anatolia Go to Anatolia in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Europe Greece
c. 630 BCE	The Areopagus, named from the hill on Athens where it meets, is the council through which the nobles keep power in their own hands Go to Areopagus in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Politics Europe Greece
c. 625 BCE	Hereditary aristocrats hold nearly all political power and own most of the land in Attica Go to Areopagus in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE Europe Greece
c. 600 BCE	The free smallholding peasants of Attica fall increasingly into debt, compelled to pay a sixth of all their produce to a creditor Go to hektēmoroi in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1000-600 BCE 6th century BCE Europe Greece
594 BCE	Solon is elected archon in Athens, immediately cancelling the debts of the peasants of Attica and making it illegal to enslave a debtor Go to hektēmoroi in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Politics Europe Greece Solon makes every Athenian citizen a member of the ecclesia, responsible for the election of archons, thus laying the first cornerstone of Athenian democracy Go to Solon (c. 630–c. 560 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Europe Greece
c. 560 BCE	Peisistratos seizes power in Athens and rules as a benevolent dictator for more than thirty years Go to Pisistratus (c. 600–c. 527 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Politics Europe Greece
534 BCE	Thespis, traditionally considered the first actor, wins the drama competition in Athens Go to Thespis in The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Performing arts Theatre Europe Greece
510 BCE	The Athenian ruler Hippias is toppled by the nobles of Attica, with the help of Sparta Go to Hippias in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Europe Greece
508 BCE	Cleisthenes, brought to power by popular support, puts into effect a major programme of political reform in Athens See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Politics Democracy and dissent Europe Greece Cleisthenes gives every Athenian citizen a voice in the demos, the local council at village or town level See this event in other timelines: 6th century BCE Europe Greece
499 BCE	The Greek cities of Ionia rebel against Persian rule, with the partial support of Athens Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Asia West Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
c. 495 BCE	Pericles is born in Attica, the son of distinguished parents and the great-nephew of Cleisthenes Go to Pericles (c.495–29 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece
493 BCE	After six years the Persians recover control of Ionia, but Athens is now identified as a target for invasion Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) West Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
490 BCE	Darius sends a fleet across the Aegean, carrying a large army of infantry and cavalry for an attack on Athens Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) West Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions The Persian fleet secures the Greek island of Euboea before making the short crossing to Marathon on the mainland – where they await the Greeks Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Battles Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions Pheidippides, given the task of running from Athens to Sparta to request help against the Persians, completes the journey in two days Go to Pheidippides in The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Travel and transport War Europe Greece Society Wars and Revolutions At Marathon the Athenian hoplites, heavily outnumbered, win a spectacular victory against the Persians – of whom the survivors escape in their ships Go to Marathon, battle of in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions The Persian fleet moves south towards Athens, but then heads home across the Aegean without attempting an assault on the city Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) West Asia Turkey Wars and Revolutions
487 BCE	Ostracism is introduced in Athens as a way of getting rid of unpopular politicians Go to o'stracism in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Politics Democracy and dissent Europe Greece
484 BCE	Aeschylus wins the prize for tragedy at the City Dionysia in Athens Go to Aeschylus (525?–456 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greek literature Performing arts Theatre Literature Drama Poetry Europe Greece
483 BCE	Themistocles persuades the Athenians to build up their fleet against the expected renewal of the threat from Persia Go to Themistocles (c. 528–462 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
481 BCE	Xerxes I, renewing the campaign of his father Darius against the Greeks, leads a large army round the Aegean and through Thrace Go to Xerxes I in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Asia West Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
480 BCE	300 Spartans, led by Leonidas, die attempting to hold the pass of Thermopylae against the advancing Persian army Go to Leonidas (480 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Battles Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions Athens, abandoned to the advancing Persians, is looted and destroyed Go to Greek-Persian wars in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions The Athenian fleet defeats a considerably larger Persian force in the narrow strait between Salamis and the mainland Go to Salamis, Battle of (480 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Battles Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
479 BCE	A Spartan army, led by Pausanias, wins a victory at Plataea, completing the rout of the Persians on the Greek mainland Go to Plataea, battle of (479 bc) in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Battles Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions An Athenian force destroys at Mykale the remainder of the Persian fleet, ending the threat from them at sea Go to My'calē in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
478 BCE	In the last joint campaign by Sparta and Athens the strategically important city of Byzantium is liberated from Persian rule Go to Byzantium in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars War Turkey Europe Wars and Revolutions Representatives of Athens and other Aegean city-states meet in Delos to form a coalition, later known as the Delian League Go to Delian League in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Politics War Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions The Delian League is formed for mutual defence, but also to liberate the Greek cities of Ionia from Persian rule Go to Delian League in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greco-Persian Wars Politics War Asia West Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
468 BCE	Sophocles wins the prize for tragedy in Athens, defeating Aeschylus in the competition Go to Sophocles in The Oxford Companion to World Mythology (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greek literature Performing arts Theatre Literature Drama Poetry Europe Greece
c. 465 BCE	Pericles is one of a radical group in Athens, eager to curb the reactionaries controlling the Areopagus, and hostile to Sparta Go to Areopagus in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece
464 BCE	An earthquake in Sparta leads to an uprising by the helots, who take up a defensive position on Mount Ithome Go to Ithō'mē, Mount in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Politics Protest and rebellion Europe Greece
463 BCE	Sparta appeals to its allies for help against the helots, and Athens - against the wishes of Pericles and his group - sends an army Go to Peloponne'sian War, First in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece
462 BCE	With the army away, Pericles introduces full democracy for all Athenian citizens, enabling them to vote and participate in the administration of the state Go to Athenian democracy in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Politics Democracy and dissent Europe Greece Sparta causes offence in Athens by dismissing the Athenian army without using them against the helots Go to Peloponne'sian War, First in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece
461 BCE	Athens makes provocative alliances with two city-states opposed to Sparta Go to Peloponne'sian War, First in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece Pericles is given the task of constructing Athens' two famous Long Walls, stretching from the city to either side of the harbour at Piraeus Go to Long Walls in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE War Europe Greece
460 BCE	Simmering hostilities between the allies of Sparta and Athens develop into endemic conflict among the Greek city states of the Peloponnese Go to Peloponne'sian War, First in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Peloponnesian Wars War Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
457 BCE	Athens completes its famous Long Walls, providing protected access between the city and its harbour, at Piraeus Go to Long Walls in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece
454 BCE	Euripides enters the drama contest at the City Dionysia in Athens for the first time Go to Euripides (c.480–c.450 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greek literature Performing arts Theatre Literature Drama Poetry Europe Greece Pericles' power is greatly increased when he is put in charge of the funds of the Delian league Go to Delian League in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece
c. 450 BCE	Pericles introduces payment in Athens for jury service so that no citizen is excluded by poverty Go to juries in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece
446 BCE	An army commanded by a Spartan king turns back mysteriously during an invasion of Attica, leading to rumours that Pericles has bribed the king Go to Periclēs (c.495–429 bc) in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece Pericles negotiates a treaty, scheduled to hold for thirty years, establishing spheres of influence for Sparta (the mainland) and Athens (the Aegean coast and islands) Go to Thirty Years Peace in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Peloponnesian Wars Politics War Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
443-429 BCE	Pericles is selected by the assembly as the leading general of Athens, a post to which he is re-appointed every year until his death Go to Pericles (c.495–29 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE War Europe Greece
c. 440 BCE	Under Pericles, colonies and garrisons are established in strategic areas with the colonists remaining Athenian citizens Go to cleruchy in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece An extensive trading network, backed up by force, gives Athens control over the whole of the Aegean and the Black Sea Go to cleruchy in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece
423 BCE	Socrates is now sufficiently prominent to be satirized in Clouds, a comedy by Aristophanes Go to Aristophanes (c.448–c.380 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greek literature Performing arts Theatre Literature Drama Philosophy Poetry Europe Greece
433 BCE	Pericles breaches his own Thirty Years Treaty, sending 30 triremes in support of a city state in dispute with Corinth, an ally of Sparta Go to Thirty Years Peace in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE War Europe Greece Sparta demands withdrawal of the Athenian ships from the Peloponnesian coast, but Pericles will offer only independent arbitration Go to Peloponnesian War in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Europe Greece
431 BCE	A sudden attack on Plataea (an ally of Athens) by Thebes (an ally of Sparta) begins the Second Peloponnesian War Go to Peloponnesian War in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Peloponnesian Wars War Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
430 BCE	A plague strikes Athens in the second year of the Peloponnesian War Go to Peloponnesian War in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Peloponnesian Wars War Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
427 BCE	Athenians vote to kill all the men on the captured island of Mytilene, but the next day change their mind - almost too late Go to Peloponnesian War in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Peloponnesian Wars War Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
c. 425 BCE	Aristophanes wins first prize in Athens for his comedy The Acharnians Go to Aristophanes (c.448–c.380 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Greek literature Performing arts Theatre Literature Drama Poetry Europe Greece
416 BCE	The Athenians, capturing Melos, kill all the males of the island and sell the women and children into slavery Go to Mēlos in Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Peloponnesian Wars Politics Conquest and colonization Slavery War Europe Greece Society Wars and Revolutions
414 BCE	The Persians, renewing their interest in the Aegean, fund the Spartans in the building of a fleet to match that of Athens Go to Peloponnesian War in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Peloponnesian Wars War Asia Central Asia Iran (Persia) West Asia Turkey Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
405 BCE	The last remaining Athenian fleet is surprised and destroyed by the Spartans in the Hellespont Go to Aegospotami, Battle of in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Peloponnesian Wars War Battles Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
404 BCE	The famous Long Walls of Athens, her impregnable defence, are dismantled by the Spartans in the final act of the Peloponnesian War Go to Long Walls in The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature (3 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 5th century BCE Peloponnesian Wars War Europe Greece Wars and Revolutions
399 BCE	Socrates, convicted in Athens of impiety, is sentenced to death and drinks the hemlock Go to Socrates (469–399 bc) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Greek literature Literature Philosophy Social and domestic Europe Greece Society
387 BCE	Plato establishes a school in Akademeia, a suburb of Athens Go to Academy in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Greek literature Literature Philosophy Europe Greece
367 BCE	Aristotle, at the age of seventeen, comes to Athens to join Plato's academy Go to Aristotle (384–322 bc) in World Encyclopedia (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Greek literature Literature Philosophy Europe Greece
c. 350 BCE	Private financiers in Athens give loans, take deposits, change money from one currency to another and arrange credit for travellers Go to credit in The Oxford Classical Dictionary (3 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE Commerce and industry Europe Greece Society
338 BCE	Philip of Macedon defeats Athens and Thebes at Chaeronaea, giving him control of Greece Go to Chaeronea in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 4th century BCE War Battles Europe Greece
86 BCE	Sulla, campaigning to the east, besieges Athens and then allows his army to loot the city Go to Sulla, Publius Cornelius (c.138–78bc) in The Oxford Companion to Military History (1 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century BCE Politics Conquest and colonization War Europe Greece Italy
66	Nero comes to Athens to give some of his officially celebrated performances at the Greek games Go to Nero, Claudius Caesar Drusus Germanicus (c. 37–68 ad) in A Dictionary of World History (2 ed.) See this event in other timelines: 1st century CE Roman empire Performing arts Europe Greece Italy Empires
529	Justinian closes down the schools of Athens, famous for their tradition of pagan philosophy Go to pericope in The Concise Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (2 rev ed.) See this event in other timelines: 6th century Greek literature Byzantine empire Literature Philosophy Persecution and repression Europe Greece Empires

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date: 09 December 2023

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