Important Dates to Know

Human migration out of Africa

c. 100,000-65,000 years ago

Neolithic Revolution begins

c. 10,000 years ago

Early cities and states emerge; Egyptian civilization begins

c. 3000 BCE

Indus Valley Civilization at peak

c. 2500 BCE

Shang Dynasty (China)

1600-1046 BCE

Vedic Period (India)

c. 1500-500 BCE

Zhou Dynasty (China)

1046-256 BCE

Warring States Period (China)

771-256 BCE

Religious Revolution in India (Buddhism, Jainism)

600-300 BCE

Persian Empire

550-330 BCE

Roman Republic established

509 BCE

Persian Wars

499-449 BCE

Golden Age of Athens

461-429 BCE

Peloponnesian War

431-404 BCE

Alexander the Great's lifetime

356-323 BCE

Hellenistic Period

323-31 BCE

Qin Dynasty (China)

221-206 BCE

Han Dynasty (China)

206 BCE-220 CE

Augustus establishes Roman Empire

27 BCE

Pax Romana

27 BCE-180 CE

Third Century Crisis (Rome)

235-284 CE

Edict of Milan (Christianity legalized)

313 CE

Constantinople founded

330 CE

Roman Empire permanently divided

395 CE

Fall of Western Roman Empire

476 CE

The Hijra (beginning of Islamic calendar)

622 CE