Athens -- Ancient History Encyclopedia

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Timeline

683 BC - 682 BC

List of annual archons at Athens begins.
594 BC - 593 BC

In Athens the archon Solon lays the foundations for democracy.
514 BC

Fall of the Peisistratid tyranny in Athens.
508 BC - 507 BC

Cleisthenes' law reforms in Athens.
507 BC

Democratic government in Athens.
c. 495 BC

Birth of Pericles.
490 BC

Greeks defeat the Persians at Marathon.
487 BC - 486 BC

Archons begin to be appointed by lot in Athens.
482 BC

Themistocles persuades the Athenians to build a fleet, which saves them at Salamis and becomes their source of power.
478 BC - 404 BC

The Delian League in Greece, led by Athens.
470 BC

Statue group of Harmodius and Aristogiton in Athens.
469 BC - 399 BC

Life of Socrates.
462 BC - 461 BC

Radicalisation of democracy in Athens; Cimon exiled, Pericles comes to exercise influence.
c. 462 BC - 458 BC

Pericles introduces democratic institutions in Athens.
461 BC - 429 BC

Pericles is ruler of Athens.
457 BC

Hegemony of Athens over central Greece.
457 BC - 445 BC

First Peloponnesian War.
449 BC - 432 BC

The Parthenon in Athens is built the architects Iktinos and Kallikrates.
28 Jul 447 BC

Construction of the Acropolis of Athens begins under Pericles' leadership.
431 BC

Athens invades Megara.
431 BC - 404 BC

Second Peloponnesian War.
430 BC

Herodotus completes his Histories.
430 BC

Xenophon born in Athens.
430 BC - 354 BC

Life of the Xenophon of Athens.
427 BC - 347 BC

Life of Plato.
384 BC - 322 BC

Life of Aristotle.
380 BC

Plato founds his Academy outside of Athens.
354 BC

Xenophon at Athens or Corinth.
338 BC

Philip II of Macedon defeats Thebes and Athens.
307 BC

Democracy is restored in Athens.
86 BC

The Roman general Sulla sacks Athens.
267 AD

The Goths sack Athens, Corinth, Sparta, and Argos.

Definition

Athens (named after its patron goddess Athena) was the most important city state in Greece, and one of the most important cities in the ancient Mediterranean. It was a major political and economic power, and a center of learning and philosophy in the Hellenic world, even after its defeat by Sparta in 404 BC.

The city is the birthplace of democracy, as well as famous statesmen such as Solon, Cleisthenes, and Pericles. It was a center of philosophical thought, exemplified by great minds such as Aristotle, Plato, Herodotus, Thucydides, and Socrates. The Academy of Plato was founded in Athens in 385 BC, and the Lyceum of Aristotle in 335 BC. Even under Roman rule, Athens remained an intellectual center that attracted students from across the Roman empire.

Written by Jan van der Crabben.

Articles

Xenophon's Defense of Socrates

Xenophon (430-354 BCE) was an early disciple of Socrates and a contemporary of Plato. He is best known as the mercenary general who wrote The Anabasis, which relates his adventures...
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The Archaic Athenian Agora: Gateway to Classical Athenian Democracy

The early Athenian Agora served a series of very different purposes than it did in its halcyon days of ancient history. The area that came to be...
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Kimon: Beautifier of the Athenian Agora

The Classical Athenian Agora began to take shape under the ruling of Kimon. He took power around 479 B.C., as the Athenian people ostracized Themistocles. As a respected general...
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Law and Politics in the Athenian Agora: Ancient Democracy at Work

The Agora was the central gathering place for all of Athens, where social and commercial dealings took place. Arguably, it's most important purpose...
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The Classical Athenian Agora: Setting the Standard for Democracy

After Athens' victory in the Persian War (around 448 BC), it was leader among the Greek poleis in the realms of politics, economics, art, and literature...
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