Ancient History is a fascinating subject. Here is a timeline of many of the major events that happened in History. An approximate date is also given next to the event. With the list of events will be links to articles giving more information about the event. Some of the resources are from secular sources such as The Story of Mankind.

Table of Contents

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1. Creation & Early Humanity (c. 4000–2300 BC)

• Creation & the Fall
  • Creation
  • Adam & Eve
  • The Fall
• Early Generations
  • Cain & Abel
  • Jubal & Tubal-Cain
    • Understanding Cain’s Legacy: Descendants and Impact
• Noah & the Flood
  • Noah’s calling
    • The Story of Noah and the Ark
    • Noah’s Ark: A Journey of Faith and Obedience
  • The flood
    • The Flood
    • Judgment of Mankind: Lessons from Noah’s Days
  • After the Flood / Ice Age c. 2348–1600 BC
    • Evidence of Ice Age in the Bible: Key Verses
  • Descendants of Noah
    • Understanding the Lineage of Noah’s Sons
    • Exploring Noah’s Descendants and Their Modern Connections

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2. Early Civilizations (c. 2300–1800 BC)

• Mesopotamia
  • Sumerians
  • Nimrod
    • Nimrod: Mighty Hunter of Ancient Babylon
  • Tower of Babel
    • The Tower of Babel
    • The Tower of Babel: Origins of Language and Nations
    • Understanding Noah’s Sons and the Tower of Babel
  • Epic of Gilgamesh
  • Hammurabi 1792 BC (Mesopotamia)
    • Exploring the Ancient Laws of Hammurabi
• Canaanites
  • Understanding the Canaanites: Ancient Roots and Legacy
• The Phoenicians c. 1000 BC (Rome)
  • The Story of Mankind: The Phoenicians
• Stonehenge (Europe)
  • Stonehenge (secular website)
  • The Age of Stonehenge
• Minoan Civilization (Greece)
• Egypt: Early Dynasties
  • The Story of Mankind: HIEROGLYPHICS
  • The Story of Mankind: The Nile Valley
  • The Story of Mankind: The Rise and Fall of Egypt

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3. The Patriarchs (c. 2000–1700 BC)

• Abraham
  • God’s Promise
    • God’s Promise to Abraham: The Birth of Nations
  • Travels in Mesopotamia & Egypt
• Ishmael
  • The Story of Hagar and Ishmael
• Isaac & Rebekah
  • Abraham and Isaac
  • The Story of Rebekah
• Jacob & Esau
  • Birthright
    • The Story of Jacob
    • THE SALE OF A BIRTHRIGHT
    • The Story of Jacob and Esau: A Biblical Analysis
  • Jacob’s Ladder
    • THE STORY OF THE LADDER THAT REACHED TO HEAVEN
• Joseph
  • Coat of Many Colors
    • THE STORY OF JOSEPH AND HIS COAT OF MANY COLORS
  • Dreams of Joseph and betrayal of his brothers
    • Joseph and His Brethren
    • The Journey of Joseph: From Betrayal to Leadership
  • Egypt, Famine, and Family Reunion
    • THE DREAMS OF A KING
    • THE STORY OF THE MONEY IN THE SACKS
    • THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST BROTHER

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4. Egypt, Slavery & Exodus (c. 1700–1400 BC)

• Israel in Slavery
• Moses: The Story of Mankind: Moses
  • Birth & Adoption
    • THE STORY OF MOSES, THE CHILD WHO WAS FOUND IN THE RIVER
    • THE FINDING OF MOSES
  • Burning Bush
  • Plagues & Passover
    • Understanding the Exodus: God’s Plan of Redemption
    • The Ten Plagues: God’s Judgment on Egyptian Idols
  • Red Sea Crossing
    • The Flight from Egypt
• Law & Covenant
  • Ten Commandments
    • The Ten Commandments
    • Understanding the Law: From Sinai to Christ
  • Tabernacle
    • Understanding the Tabernacle’s Spiritual Significance
    • Bezaleel and Aholiab
  • Ark of the Covenant c. 1491 BC
• Wilderness Years c. 1491-1451 BC
  • 12 Spies
    • THE STORY OF THE GRAPES FROM CANAAN
  • Brazen Serpent
    • The Brazen Serpent
  • Wandering 40 Years
    • Moses Striking the Rock
    • The Journey to the Promised Land: Lessons from Israel

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5. Conquest & Judges (c. 1450–1100 BC)

• Joshua: Exploring the Book of Joshua: Faith and Inheritance
  • Jordan Crossing
    • The Passage of the Jordan
    • The Captain of the Lord’s Host
  • Jericho
    • How Jericho was Captured
    • Achan’s Sin
  • Cities of Refuge
    • The Cities of Refuge
  • The Altar on Mount Ebal
  • Joshua’s Exhortation
• Judges – important people
  • Othniel
    • Othniel v. Chushan-Rishathaim: Evidence for the Biblical Account (outside website)
    • Othniel: A Biblical Hero’s Journey
  • Ehud
    • Ehud: A Bible Hero’s Journey
  • Ruth
    • Understanding the Book of Ruth: Redemption and Sovereignty
    • Ruth and Naomi
    • THE STORY OF RUTH, THE GLEANER
    • Boaz and Ruth
    • Boaz and Ruth: Family Ties in Biblical History
  • Gideon
    • Gideon and the Fleece
    • THE STORY OF GIDEON AND HIS THREE HUNDRED SOLDIERS
    • The Defeat of the Midianites
    • Gideon’s Battle
  • Samson
    • THE STORY OF SAMSON, THE STRONG MAN
    • The Death of Samson

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6. Early Kingdom of Israel (c. 1100–900 BC)

• Samuel
  • Hannah
    • Hannah Praying Before the Lord
  • Eli
    • Eli and Samuel
    • Death of Eli and his sons
• Saul — First King c. 1095 BC (Israel)
• David
  • Shepherd Boy c. 1085-1015 BC (Israel)
    • THE STORY OF DAVID, THE SHEPHERD BOY
    • Playing on the Harp Before Saul
  • Goliath
    • David and Goliath
    • THE STORY OF THE FIGHT WITH THE GIANT
  • Jonathan
    • David and Jonathan
    • David and Jonathan
  • King David c. 1055 BC (Israel)
    • Nathan Reproving the King
    • David and Araunah
• Solomon
  • Temple
    • THE STORY OF SOLOMON AND HIS TEMPLE
  • Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
    • The Meaning Behind Ecclesiastes: Wisdom for Life
    • Exploring the Love Themes in Song of Solomon

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7. Divided Kingdom & Prophets (c. 975–586 BC)

• Division of Israel c. 975 BC (Israel)
  • The Split of Israel: Rehoboam and Jeroboam’s Legacy
• Major Figures
  • Elijah c. 896 BC
    • Elijah
    • THE STORY OF ELIJAH, THE PROPHET
    • Elijah Fed by Ravens
  • Elisha c. 895 BC
    • Elisha
    • Ploughing in Canaan
    • The Shunammite’s Son
    • The little Captive Maid
  • Obadiah c. 840s BC
    • Understanding Obadiah’s Prophecy Against Edom
  • Joel 835-805 B.C.
    • Understanding Joel’s Prophecy: Judgment and Grace
  • Jonah c. 760 BC
    • God’s Mercy in Jonah: Lessons from Nineveh
    • A Timeline of Jonah
    • THE STORY OF JONAH AND THE WHALE
    • Jonah at Nineveh
  • Amos c. 808 BC
    • Amos the Shepherd: A Humble Voice of Truth
    • Understanding Amos: Judgment and Restoration
  • Isaiah c. 740 BC
    • Understanding Isaiah: Judgment and Restoration Messages
  • Micah c. 735 BC
    • Micah: A Call to Justice, Mercy, and Humility
  • Hosea c. 721 BC
    • Understanding Hosea: God’s Love and Redemption
  • Manasseh c. 677 BC
  • King Josiah c. 630 BC (Israel)
  • Nahum c. 630 BC Prophet of Josiah’s Reign (Israel)
    • Understanding Nahum: God’s Judgment on Nineveh
  • Nahum
    • Understanding Nahum: God’s Judgment on Nineveh
  • Zephaniah c. 629 BC Prophet of Josiah’s Reign (Israel)
    • Understanding Zephaniah’s Prophecies and Themes
  • Jeremiah c. 629 BC
    • Jeremiah: The Weeping Prophet and His Message
  • Habakkuk c. 609 BC
    • The Just Shall Live by Faith: Lessons from Habakkuk
  • Huldah c. 7th century BC (Israel)
• Assyria & Babylon
  • Fall of Israel to Assyria c. 721 BC
  • Hezekiah & Sennacherib c. 710 BC
    • Hezekiah and Sennacherib
  • Fall of Nineveh (Fall of Assyria) c. 612 BC
  • Babylonian Captivity of Judah c. 605, 599, and 588 BC (Mesopotamia and Israel)
    • Understanding Lamentations: Sorrow and Hope in Jerusalem’s Fall This was written around 587 B.C.
    • Nebuchadnezzar II and the Hanging Gardens c. 605-615 BC
      • Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream: A Prophetic Vision of Nations
    • Daniel and His Friends c. 607-534 BC
      • Understanding Prophecy in the Book of Daniel
      • The Brave Hebrew Boys
      • Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego c. early 600s or late 500s BC
        • Fiery Furnace
          • THE STORY OF THE FIERY FURNACE
          • The Canticle of the Three Young Men: A Divine Symphony of Praise
      • Belshazzar & Cyrus the Great 539-538 BC
      • Darius I and the Persian Empire 522 BC (Mesopotamia)
        • THE STORY OF DANIEL IN THE LIONS’ DEN
        • Daniel and the Lions
  • Ezekiel c. 595 BC
    • Understand the book of Ezekial

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8. World Civilizations (Parallel Timeline)

Greece

• Homer c. 800-725 BC
• Olympic Games c. 776BC-AD393
• Athens & Sparta c. 700-500 BC
  • The Story of Mankind: Athens vs. Sparta
• Aesop’s Fables c. 600 BC (Greece)
• Pythagoras/Temple of Diana 547 BC and 550 BC
• Battle of Marathon 490 BC
• Herodotus 484 BC
• The Golden Age of Athens 478-399 BC
• Socrates 469-399 BC
• Hippocrates 377BC (Greece)
• Statue of Zeus 456 BC (Greece)
• Pericles 443-429 BC
• Peloponnesian War 431-404 BC
• Plato 427-348 BC
• Aristotle 384-322 BC
• Alexander the Great (and the Division of his Empire)356-323 BC
  • The Story of Mankind: Alexander the Great
  • How Alexander the Great’s Death Shaped His Empire
• Philip II of Macedonia 359-336 BC
• Mausoleum of Halicarnassus 353 BC
• Archimedes 287-212 BC
• Eratosthenes 276-194 BC
• Colossus of Rhodes 290 BC

Rome

• Founding of Rome c. 748 BC
  • The Story of Mankind Rome and Carthage Part I
  • The Story of Mankind Rome and Carthage Part II
• Roman Republic 510 BC
• Hannibal and the Punic Wars 218-146 BC
• Spartacus unknown-71BC (Rome)
• 1st Triumvirate 60BC (Rome)
• Julius Caesar 49 BC (Rome)
• 2nd Triumvirate 43 BC
• Cleopatra 69-30 BC (Rome)
• Augustus Caesar – First Emperor of Rome 27 BC

Egypt

• Amenhotep IV & Nefertiti c. late 900s
• King Tut c. late 900s
• Ramses II c. 800s BC/date unknown
• Lighthouse at Alexandria 280 BC
• The Septuagint 297 BC
  • Septuagint in Egypt: The First Major Greek Translation

China

• Xia Dynasty
• Shang Dynasty
• Zhou Dynasty
• Confucius 551-479 BC
  • The Life and Legacy of Confucius Explained
• Qin Dynasty (Ch’in) 221-206 BC
• Han Dynasty 206 BC-220 AD

India

• Hinduism
• Buddhism c. 563 BC
• Emperor Asoka 273-232 BC

Americas

• Ancient Native Americans c. 700 BC
  • Mayans
    • Mayan Food and Culture
    • Mayan Ball Game
    • Exploring Ancient Maya Musical Instruments
    • Ancient Mexican Pyramids facts for kids

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9. Return from Exile (c. 538–400 BC)

• Cyrus the Great 539-538 BC
• Zerubbabel 520 BC
• Haggai 520 BC
  • Rebuilding the Temple: Haggai’s Call to Action
• Zechariah 520 BC
  • The Significance of Zechariah in Biblical Prophecy
• Xerxes I and Esther 480 BC
  • Esther Before the King
  • Exploring the Book of Esther: Themes and Historical Context
• Ezra & Artaxerxes 467 BC
  • Ezra’s Journey: Rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem
• Nehemiah 454BC
  • Leadership Lessons from Nehemiah: Building Resilience
• Malachi Prophet to Judah 397 BC
  • The Prophetic Insights of Malachi: Love and Accountability

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10. Between the Testaments (c. 400–5 BC)

• Maccabean Revolt 165 BC
  • Last Words of Mattathias & Eulogy of a Hero
• Hanukkah
  • The Significance of Hanukkah: A Historical Perspective
• Septuagint
  • Septuagint in Egypt: The First Major Greek Translation
• Herod the Great (King of Israel) 40 BC (Israel)

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11. Birth of Christ & Early Christianity (5 BC–AD 100)

• Zacharias the father of John the Baptist 5 BC
  • THE STORY OF THE ANGEL BY THE ALTAR
• John the Baptist 5 BC-25AD
  • Understanding John the Baptist’s Role in Preparing for Jesus
• Birth of Jesus
• Life & Teachings of Jesus
  • Chronological Events in the Life of Jesus and John the Baptist: This timeline outlines key events from John the Baptist’s birth to Jesus’ ascension, including significant historical occurrences.
  • Exploring the Life and Teachings of Jesus: The content explores Jesus’ life, teachings, death, and resurrection, emphasizing his role in the Bible, the significance of his identity, and the understanding of his works. There are links to many different Bible Studies about Jesus.
  • The Story of Mankind: Joshua of Nazareth (Jesus)
• Death & Resurrection
• Ascension
• Pentecost
• Early Church
  • Growth of the Church
  • Timeline of Key Events in Early Christianity
  • The Holy Ghost: The Birth of the Church Explained
• Peter
  • Peter’s Powerful Preaching at Pentecost
  • THE STORY OF THE MAN AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE
• Stephen
  • THE STORY OF STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR

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