World History Timeline

Timeline

14 events

5th century BCE

  1. c. 5th century BCE – c. 5th century★★★★★

    Nazca Lines created

    In the desert of southern Peru, the Nazca and earlier cultures create enormous geoglyphs on the ground, best seen in full from above.

    CultureArt· Peru

1st century BCE

  1. c. 1st century BCE – c. 6th century★★★★★

    Teotihuacan flourishes

    Teotihuacan in the Valley of Mexico grows into one of the largest cities in the world of its time, with the Pyramid of the Sun and the Avenue of the Dead.

    Culture· Mexico

3rd century

  1. c. 3rd century – c. 9th century★★★★★

    Classic period of Maya civilization

    Maya city-states such as Tikal, Palenque and Calakmul reach their height in architecture, writing, astronomy and calendrics.

    CultureScience· Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras
  2. c. 3rd century – c. 11th century★★★★★

    The Ghana Empire in West Africa

    The Soninke Ghana Empire (Wagadu) flourished in what is now Mauritania and Mali, growing rich from control of the trans-Saharan gold and salt trade.

    DynastyEconomy· Mauritania, Mali

4th century

  1. October 28, 312★★★★★

    Battle of the Milvian Bridge

    Constantine defeats Maxentius near Rome; according to tradition he saw a Christian sign before the battle.

    WarReligion· Italy
  2. 313★★★★★

    Edict of Milan

    Emperors Constantine and Licinius agree on religious toleration, ending the persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire.

    ReligionPolitics· Italy
  3. c. 320★★★★★

    Founding of the Gupta Empire

    Chandragupta I takes the throne, beginning the Gupta era, often regarded as a golden age of Indian science, art and literature.

    Dynasty· India
  4. 325★★★★★

    First Council of Nicaea

    The first ecumenical council of Christianity, convened by Constantine, condemns Arianism and formulates the Nicene Creed.

    Religion· Turkey
  5. c. 330s★★★★★

    King Ezana of Aksum converts to Christianity

    King Ezana of Aksum, in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, adopted Christianity under the influence of Frumentius, making Aksum one of the first Christian states.

    ReligionPolitics· Ethiopia, Eritrea
  6. May 11, 330★★★★★

    Dedication of Constantinople

    Emperor Constantine I dedicates Constantinople as the new capital of the Roman Empire.

    Politics· Turkey
  7. c. 350s★★★★★

    Decline of the Kingdom of Kush at Meroë

    The Nubian Kingdom of Kush, whose capital Meroë was famed for ironworking and pyramids, came to an end around the mid-4th century amid campaigns by Aksum.

    DynastyPolitics· Sudan
  8. August 9, 378★★★★★

    Battle of Adrianople

    The Goths, many of whom had crossed the Danube fleeing the Huns, crush a Roman army and kill Emperor Valens.

    War· Turkey
  9. February 27, 380★★★★★

    Edict of Thessalonica

    Emperor Theodosius I proclaims Nicene Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire.

    ReligionPolitics· Greece
  10. 395★★★★★

    Permanent division of the Roman Empire

    After the death of Theodosius I, the empire is divided between his two sons into Western and Eastern halves, never to be reunited.

    Politics· Italy, Turkey
Timeline · World History Timeline