The earliest evidence of burials found in Hellas.
History of Hellas
The Mesolithic
... 7001
-
-7250 MESO
Mesolithic Burials
Cultural event
The Neolithic
7000 2901
Stone Age people traveled from the east to Hellas and begin to settle and populate the eastern part of the region. Once these eastern settlements increased in population, the people scattered and traveled throughout Hellas. They introduced pottery and began raising animals domestically. Over time, the people developed some settlements, including Nea Nikomedeia, Sesklo, Dimini, Franchthi Cave, and Athens.
-
-7000 NEOL
Earliest Trading
Population Migration / TravelEvidence of food producing economy, simple hut construction, and seafaring in mainland Hellas and the Aegean
-
-5700 NEOL
Megaron House
Construction beginning/endFirst Megaron House at Sesclo, in central Hellas.
-
-3400 NEOL
Walled Town
Construction beginning/endEvidence of earliest fortifications at Dimini, Hellas
-
-3000 NEOL
First Tiled Houses
Construction beginning/endHouse construction and the first use of Tiles at Lerna, Hellas.
Minoan Age
2000 1401
The Minoan Empire began on Crete. At this time the civilization of Minotaurs began the construction of the Palace of the Knossos near Heraklion on the island of Crete. Shortly after, they built the great Labyrinth beneath the palace, and other mazes beneath the temples and palaces in other cities. The Minoans were perhaps most well known for their pottery and sculpture. They were a peaceful society who were also devoted to the arts. Their civilization ended when the Mycenaeans attacked and conquered them.
-
-2000 MINO
War in the Minoan Empire
Military: WarDestruction of Minoan settlements
-
-1700 MINO
Minoan War
Military actionDestruction of Minoan palaces and the settlement of Akrotiri, Theran culture and Graves at Mycenae.
-
-1622 MINO
Eruption of Thera
Disaster / DestructionEruption of the Thera volcano, and the beginning of the fall of the Minoan Empire. Akrotiri and coastal towns on Crete are destroyed.
-
-1600 MINO
First Hellenic Heroes
ExpeditionMinoan culture still thrives at Mycenae. The rise of Hellenic Legends including Jason's Voyage on the Argo, The twelve labours of Heracles, and Oedipus the Greek king of Thebes. A tragic hero who accidentally fulfilled a prophecy that he would end up killing his father and marrying his mother, thereby bringing disaster to his city and family.
-
-1550 MINO
Hellenic Burials
Cultural eventTholos Tomb at Mycenae.
-
-1462 MINO
10 /7
The Battle of Pavlopetri
Military: BattleHippias and his brother Arsene lead an army of Hellenic soldiers in defense of Pavlopetri against the Triton king Palamon and his army.
-
-1450 MINO
-1180 MINO
First Hellenic Writing
Linguistic EvolutionFirst syllabic script used for writing in Mycenaean Hellas, the earliest attested form of Hellenic.
Mycenaean Age
1400 1101
During this age the culture of Ancient Hellas truly started to develop, most especially the arts and sculpture. They were successful builders and engineers and specialized in bridges, buildings, and palaces. Several important industries began such as the textile industry. In addition, the class structure developed even further.
-
-1400 MYCE
First Mycenaean Palaces
Construction beginning/endConstruction of Mycenaean Palaces and evidence of expanded Mycenaean trade.
-
-1353 MYCE
The Sacking of Knossos
Military: BattlePalace of Knossos destroyed by a Mycenaean army, and the end of the Minoan civilization.
-
-1300 MYCE
-1178 MYCE
The Sea Peoples
Military actionThe Sea Peoples (a Triton confederacy of raiders who harry the coastal towns and cities) begin raids in the Eastern Agean.
-
-1245 MYCE
-1235 MYCE
The Trojan War
Military: WarThe Trojan War is waged against the city of Troy by the Achaeans after Paris of Troy took Helen from her husband Menelaus, king of Sparta.
-
-1200 MYCE
Mycenaean wars
Military: WarDestruction of many Mycenaean palaces
-
-1150 MYCE
11
Doric Invasion
Military actionDoric Invasion of Mycenaean Hellas.
-
-1140 MYCE
6
Sea People Raids
Military: SkirmishThe Sea Peoples (Tritons) Raid the coastal towns of Hellas.
Dark Age
1100 751
When the Mycenaean Civilization ended, it pushed Ancient Hellas into a period known as the Dark Ages, which was a period of repression and economic uncertainty. It took hundreds of years for Hellas to rebound from this. Also, in The Dark Ages, Ancient Hellas was depleted by war and eventually invasion by the Dorians. After the Trojan War the Mycenaeans began a Civil War. Depleted from this war, the Mycenaeans were defeated by the Dorians who became the rulers of Hellas.
-
-1082 DARK
30 /10
End of Mycenaean Civilization
Military: WarThe Doric Invasion Ends the Mycenaean civilization. Tomb building Lefkandi.
-
-1047 DARK
10
The Destruction of Miletus
Disaster / DestructionThe Destruction of Miletus and resettlement of its citizens.
-
-776 DARK
20 /3
First Olympic Games
Sporting Event / CompetitionZeus presides over the First Olympic Games at Olympus with the stadion the only event that took place (a race across the arena).
Archaic Age
750 501
The Archaic Period was most noted for the development of the arts even further, particularly through pottery and sculpture. Political theory also had its roots here as well as the idea of democracy. This idea was developed even further in the years to come.
-
-747 ARCH
25 /12
Introduction of Hellenic Alphabet
Linguistic EvolutionMoirai, goddess of destiny Introduces Writing and the Hellenic Alphabet to Hellas.
-
-742 ARCH
Establishment of Hellenic Colonies
FoundingHellenic colonies established in Southern Italy & Sicily.
-
-734 ARCH
29 /8
Founding of Naxos
FoundingNaxos founded.
-
-733 ARCH
3 /8
Founding of Syracuse
FoundingSyracuse founded.
-
-731 ARCH
25 /9-710 ARCH
24 /1
First Messenian War
Military: WarFirst Messenian War as Sparta invades Messenia.
-
-729 ARCH
25 /5
Recording of Homeric Poems
Artistic creationHomeric poems recorded in writing.
-
-653 ARCH
Earliest Lyric Poets
Artistic creationEarliest Lyric Poets.
-
-642 ARCH
14 /3-631 ARCH
26 /9
Second Messenian War
Military: WarSecond Messenian War as Sparta invades Messenia.
-
-631 ARCH
9 /5
Birth of Sappho
Life, BirthSappho born in Lesbos.
-
-630 ARCH
24 /7
Founding of Cyrene
FoundingCyrene founded.
-
-625 ARCH
14 /2
Birth of Thales
Life, BirthThales born in Miletos. The first philosopher in the Hellenic tradition.
-
-545 ARCH
30 /11
Death of Thales
Life, DeathThales dies in Athens.
Modern Age
500 0
-
-499 MOD
12 /8-494 MOD
15 /3
The Ionian Revolt
Revolution -
-482 MOD
15 /11
The Heroes of Pavlopetri
ExpeditionThe Heroes arrive at Pavlopetri to help Kyros, and to explore the tomb of Hippias.