Western Culture Timeline

Greeks Through the Age of Absolute Monarchs

The peak of power for Athens Greece as a democracy –under Pericles-

400’s BC

The Parthenon in Athens Greece

Alexander the Great conquers and spreads Hellenistic Civilization -300’s BC

Roman ruins

Rome expands its territories – 509-133 BC

Roman City Gate

Julius Caesar is killed and republic ends-44 BC

Fountains in Rome

Roman Empire is divided by the emperor Diocletian (284 AD)

Christianity is made official religion of the Roman Empire- 395 AD

The fresco is "Transfiguration",

(1440-41) by Fra Angelico.

Western Roman Empire Falls to Germanic Invaders (476 AD)

Hagia Sophia –Istanbul Turkey

(the capital of the Eastern Empire at Constantinople)

Charlemagne’s Frankish Empire –

768-814

Charlemagne’s Coronation

Feudalism as a way of life in Western Europe

(early Middle Ages)-begins in 814

Trade, towns, and education develops in Western Europe-late middle ages

William of Normandy conquers England and sets up foundations for royal power -1066

The first crusade is called by the Pope–1095- brought new goods, ideas, and desires to Europe

A royal government is set up in France- 1000-1300

The bubonic plague-1348

France and England fight in the 100 years war – 1337-1453

The beginnings of the Renaissance in Northern Italy 1300’s

Lorenzo Medici- Patron and Ruler

Feudalism declining in Europe- Mid 1400’s

The fall of Constantinople (Eastern Roman Empire)-1453

Marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella unites Spain as a kingdom-1469

Columbus sails for India and reaches the Americas- 1492 (2 ½ months)

Vasco De Gama reaches India -1498

Martin Luther starts Protestant Reformation- 1517 -(not the first to call for reform)

Magellan sails around the world -1519

The African slave trade expands – 1500’s

The Americas are divided up and fought over by Europeans- 1500-1700’s

Absolute Monarchs rule Europe –1500-1795