Ancient Greece to WWI
2700 – 1450 BC
The Minoans in Crete create the earliest Greek civilisation.
1450 – 1100 BC
Mainland Mycaneans invade the Cretan Minoans. The Bronze Age commences.
1100 – 776 BC
The Dorians arrive. The Bronze Age ends. Greek city states are founded in the 8th century BC; earliest evidence of of writing in alphabetic Greek.
776 – 323 BC
The first Olympic Games are held in 776 BC. Ancient Greece’s major figures come to the fore: in literature – Homer, Hesiod, Pindar, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes and Sappho; in politicians – Themistocles, Pericles, Lysander, Epaminondas, Alcibiades, Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great; in philosophy – Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.
323 – 146 BC
The Hellenistic period begins with the death of Alexander the Great. Alexandria and Antioch are the centres of Hellenistic culture. Greek political independence ends when Greece is annexed by Rome in 146 BC.
146 BC – 324 AD
Eastern Romans conquer parts of Greece. Nevertheless, Greeks are spread throughout the Mediterranean and Greek is widely spoken. All of the world’s writings have been translated into Greek, including the books of the new religion, Christianity, and are kept in the library at Alexandria.
324 – 1204
The Byzantine Empire. Constantine the Great makes Byzantium the capital of the Roman Empire, later known as Constantinople. (Byzantium remains a centre of Hellenism for Greeks through to the modern era.) Christianity becomes the Empire’s official religion, religious artwork flourishes and Christian churches are built across the Empire.
1204 – 1453
The Late Byzantine period. Latin crusaders conquer Constantinople. Ottoman-Muslim power rises in the Middle East. In 1453 the Turks invade and gain control of the Greek Byzantine Empire.
1453 – 1821
Under Ottoman rule Greek scholars migrate to Western Europe where they strongly influence the Renaissance. Many Greeks migrate from the urban areas of the peninsula to mountainous regions, where they can more easily preserve their language and religion. Taxes are imposed on Christians. The Greek Orthodox Church gains leadership of Christians living within the Ottoman Empire.
1821 – 1918
The era known as Modern Greece begins. The Greeks successfully rebel against the Ottoman Turks. Greek Independence is declared 25 March 1821; full independence is achieved in 1829. France, England and Russia use military force to thwart Ottoman attempts to suppress the Greek revolution. Subsequent wars against the Ottoman Turks result in Greece’s territorial expansion to include the Greek populations of the Ottoman Empire. The Balkan Wars of 1912-13 result in the return of Epirus, Macedonia, Crete and the Aegean islands. After WWI parts of Asia Minor (modern Turkey) are also awarded to Greece.
