The Greek World in the Classical Age

In the fifth century B.C.E., Athens developed an empire out of the league against Persia.

Conflict between Athens and Sparta began in 461, culminating in the (Second) Pelopennesian War (431-404), in which Athens was finally defeated.  Culturally, the fifth century saw the golden age of Athens, a period of intense political, philosophical, and artistic activity.

499-479 Menace of Persia, common enemy to Greek cities, in wars of 499-479 B.C.E.

  In 499, the Greek cities of Ionia rebel against the Persian rule they have     acknowledged since 546

479  The combined armies of Greek cities defeat the Persians at Plataea in 479, which   effectively ends the Persian threat, though the war drags on for years (until 446)

479 - 431 Athenian golden age (480/79-431), a period of political and cultural flourishing

461  Pericles' supremacy begins, to dominate the political scene in Athens from 461-   429

431-404 Pelopennesian War (431-404 BC): a league of Pelopennesian states led by Sparta    against Athens, war involves almost every Greek state at one time or another,

  first historical account written by Thucydides (460-400) (History of the     Pelopennesian War).

404  Capitulation of Athens; installation of regime of the Thirty (the "Thirty Tyrants"),    thirty rulers with extreme powers

403  Fall of the Thirty; restoration of democracy in Athens

From the 350s onwards, Macedon under Philip begins to expand, ending the independence of the Greek cities and the age of the polis.

358-336 Reign of King Philip II of Macedon

338  Philip of Macedon secures control over mainland Greece at Battle of Chaeronea

336-323 Reign of Alexander the Great

334  Alexander invades Persian empire

333  Alexander defeats Darius III of Persia at Battle of Issus

332  Siege of Tyre and capture of Egypt by Alexander

330-24  Alexander campaigns in the East Persian provinces and invades India

323  Death of Alexander

Socrates: 470-399

Plato: 427-347

Aristotle: 384-322

Epicurus: 341-270Sources: The Oxford History of the Classical World, ed. John Boardman, Jasper Griffin, Oswyn Murray (New York: OUP,1986)

J.M. Roberts, A Short History of the World (New York: OUP, 1993).

William H. McNeil, A World History, Third Edition (New York: OUP, 1979).