Timeline of Ancient Greece

From the Bronze Age to the Roman conquest — trace the epic sweep of over 3,000 years of history.

Bronze Age

3000–1100 BCE

Minoan Civilization

The Minoans on Crete build the Palace of Knossos, develop Linear A script, and dominate Aegean trade with their powerful navy.

Bronze Age

1600–1100 BCE

Mycenaean Greece

Warrior-kings rule from fortified citadels like Mycenae and Tiryns. Linear B script emerges. The Trojan War likely occurs in this period.

Dark Ages

1100–800 BCE

Greek Dark Ages

Collapse of Mycenaean civilization leads to population decline and loss of writing. Homer's epics preserve oral traditions of the heroic age.

Archaic Period

800–480 BCE

Rise of the Polis

The city-state emerges as the dominant political unit. Colonization spreads Greek culture across the Mediterranean. The first Olympic Games are held in 776 BCE.

Classical Period

480–323 BCE

Golden Age of Athens

After defeating Persia at Salamis and Plataea, Athens enters its golden age under Pericles. The Parthenon is built, democracy flourishes, and philosophy thrives.

Classical Period

431–404 BCE

Peloponnesian War

Athens and Sparta clash in a devastating 27-year war that reshapes the Greek world, ending with Spartan victory and the decline of Athenian dominance.

Hellenistic Period

336–323 BCE

Alexander the Great

King of Macedon at 20, Alexander conquers the Persian Empire and reaches India, spreading Greek culture across three continents before his death at 32.

Hellenistic Period

323–31 BCE

Hellenistic Kingdoms

Alexander's empire fragments into Ptolemaic Egypt, Seleucid Asia, and Antigonid Macedon. Greek science and culture reach new heights in Alexandria.

Roman Era

146 BCE–330 CE

Greco-Roman World

Greece falls under Roman control after the Battle of Corinth. Greek culture profoundly influences Roman art, philosophy, and education — Horace notes, "Captive Greece took captive her savage conqueror."