Historic Time Periods

To Clear up some Confusion: C.E. Stands for “common era.” The years after year 0 are referred to C.E. Year 0 is written 0 C.E. B.C.E. Stands for “before the common era.” The years before year 0 are referred to as B.C.E. A.D. In the Christian era; used before dates after the supposed year Christ was born; anno Domini Roman phrase translated into “in the year of our Lord.” Example: A.D. 2006 B.C. Before the Christian era; used following dates before the supposed year Christ was born. Example: 3500 B.C. writing develops in Mesopotamia

Historic Periods History is divided up into many different time periods based on several different things. Sometimes it has to do with geological factors, sometimes it has to do with human factors, and sometimes it just has to do with random factors.

What are some of the main historic time periods in history that you can think of?

What kinds of factors are considered when historians classify time periods?

How has the designation of these time periods been helpful to you as a student?

What do you think the time period we live in now will be classified as in the future?

Greece in the Bronze Age The bronze age brought palaces and pottery Greece in the Bronze Age The bronze age brought palaces and pottery. It was generally a prosperous period, dominated by powerful kingdoms and empires— Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece. The various great powers were continually fighting to impose their dominance in the region and to control the trade routes. Trading ships began trading goods throughout the Mediterranean into Africa and the Agean.

The Greeks were heavily involved with this trading system The Greeks were heavily involved with this trading system. Their main exports were agricultural— wine, olive oil and woollens. The Greeks were apparently one of the major players of the day. Their disconnectedness provided a problem and although they claim to have sought unity, sources suggest the Bronze Age of Greece was a fragmented society, dominated by highly competitive warlords

By 1400, due to the increased shipping and trading, Mycenaean’s had a powerful navy. Because of this…

In 1200 Trojan War Began In 1184 BC, Troy fell to the Greeks and this marked the end of the Bronze Age of Greece.

The Dark Ages 1100 BC-800BC The Dark Ages brought hard times for Greece. There were no more kings, or taxes. Roads were destroyed and many people died. The people who were there were poor people, so trading stopped. Greeks could not defend themselves, and a group of invaders called Dorians took over and began living in Greek Cities.

Knowledge of how to make tools and weapons out of iron spread from the Hittites around the Mediterranean Sea, and so the Greeks also learned how to work iron. Iron is harder than bronze and cheaper to get, because it was mined in Greece itself instead of bringing it in from far away. Since iron was cheaper than bronze, more people could use it, even poor people. Without the kings and the palaces, people were generally more equal. The rich people weren't as rich, so the differences between people weren't so big. Could this have been what led to the development of Democracy?

Archaic Period 800BC-500BC Emergence of the city-state across Greece and new styles of warfare, art and politics. New colonies established by the Greeks in Italy, Egypt, Asia Minor and the Black sea. In 776 BCE were held the first Olympic Games in Olympia. Pythagoras was born

Classical Greece 500 BC-330BC Greek city-states flourish until overshadowed by the powerful Macedonian kings. The Athenian statesman Cleisthenes developed the first kind of Athenian democracy. At this time Ancient Greece was a large collection of rival city-states.

The Persian Wars occurred (499-479 BCE). The Persians were the larger, more defensive army. Their key tactic was to wait until the enemy came close, at which time they would attack. The Athenians had a more offensive fighting style. They favored close combat battle formations. Athens would win the battle and the Persians would sail away in defeat. This battle is considered one of the most important events marking the birth of European culture. 

Entertainment Theater became entertainment Poetry was widely recognized Euripides wins a drama prize Alexander the Great invaded the Persian Empire and began his quest The Parthenon was completed Oedipus Rex was written by Sophocles Huge gains in knowledge of mathematics, science, art, architecture and the human body

Hellenistic Age 330BC-30BC Hellenistic Period, a combination of Greek and western Asian cultures, lasts from when Alexander the Great took the throne of Macedon until the beginning of the Christian era. Alexander was 20 years old when he became king.. Before his death, Alexander was the ruler of the largest empire the world had seen. This was the time of the great philosophers Socrates and his student Plato.

Archimedes is born and designs the “Archimedean Screw,” and now water can travel up hill. End of the Persian Empire Euclid, the father of geometry is born.