Events & Developments

Archaic Period

The era of "rebirth" in Greece following the Dark Age; saw the rise of the Polis and the Olympics.

Messenian Wars

Sparta conquered the neighboring Messenians and turned them into Helots (state-owned serfs), which forced Sparta to become a permanent military state.

Ionian Revolt

Greek cities in Ionia (Asia Minor) rebelled against Persian rule, sparking the Persian Wars.

Mutiny at Hyphasis

The point in India where Alexander’s exhausted troops refused to go further east, forcing his return.

Babylonian Captivity

The period when the Jewish elite were exiled to Babylon; a critical time for the final compilation of the Tanakh.

Mauryan Dynasty

The first empire to encompass most of the Indian subcontinent

The United vs. Divided Kingdom

The "United" era refers to the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon; the "Divided" refers to the split into the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and Southern Kingdom (Judah).

Epic Era (India)

The period during which the great Indian epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, were composed, reflecting a shift in social and religious values.