Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
413-404 BC
A second war between Sparta and Athens breaks out over the distant colony of Sicily, ending an
eight-year truce. The Spartans break the Athenian siege and Sparta assumes total dominance.
399 BC
Socrates stands trial, accused of corrupting the young with pedagogical speeches. A jury con-
demns him to death. Rather than appealing for voluntary exile, Socrates defiantly accepts a cup
of hemlock.
371-62 BC
Thiva (Thebes), a small city-state, is in ascendancy and gains control after it wins against
Sparta. But nine years of Theban dominance ends at the hands of a Spartan-Athenian alliance.
359 BC
In the north, the Macedonians are on the rise as King Philip II seizes the initiative in the power
vacuum. He seeks alliances with Sparta and Athens on a promise to wage war again on Persia.
336 BC
Philip's son Alexander assumes leadership of Macedonia following the untimely murder of his
father. Within a few years the new king takes up the challenge against Persia laid down by the
slain Philip.
334-23 BC
Alexander the Great sets out to conquer the known world. Thebes (Thiva) is the first victim, fol-
lowed by the Persians, the Egyptians and finally the peoples of today's central Asia. He dies in
323 BC.
86 BC- AD 224
Roman expansion includes Greek territory. First defeating Macedonia at Pydna in 168 BC, the
Romans ultimately overtake the mainland and establish the Pax Romana. It lasts 300 years.
67 BC
The Romans finally conquer Crete after invading two years earlier at Kydonia. Gortyna becomes
the capital and most powerful city. The 'Pax Romana' ends internal wars.
27 BC
