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8th Century BC

Greek city-states began sending out small groups to establish colonies all over the Mediterranean. Their movement can be tracked by trails of Greek artifacts. Some colonies may have been created specifically to harvest natural resources. The benefit of trade and exchange was another factor in expansion. Greek culture spread all throughout the Mediterranean, and transformed old traditions into new combinations.

Scarre, Christopher. "The Mediterranean World." InThe Human Past: World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies, 473-517. London: Thames & Hudson, 2005.

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This timeline was created for an assignment at Cascadia Community College and falls under the Fair Use guidelines.

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300-400 AD

The causes of the end of Rome are many and have been disputed over the years. Some reasons have been generally agreed on though. In the beginning of 3rd century AD, Roman rule was divided into several emperors and multiple capitals in order to establish more control over the land.  Then the late 4th and early 5th century barbarian invasions came from Rome's edges from all over and became a major factor to the fall of Rome. The decline of the Romans marks the end of unity across a large expanse of people. The entire Mediterranean region had been affected by Rome. The region had to rebuild itself following the Roman empire, resulting in a new political order and future culture change.

Heather, Peter. "The Huns and the End of the Roman Empire in Western Europe." The English Historical Review 110, no. 00138266 (1995): 4-41. Accessed November 15, 2014.

Image Source: http://www.usu.edu/markdamen/1320hist&civ/chapters/08romfal.htm

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313 AD

Rome was once open to all religions but with the Edict of Milan, Christianity became the new state religion under Constantine. A colossal statue of Constantine’s head and hand pointing upwards instead of towards the world symbolically represents a “fundamental change in world view” (Scarre, 515).  This change also marks the start of the empire's inability to control its regions.

Scarre, Christopher. "The Mediterranean World." InThe Human Past: World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies, 473-517. London: Thames & Hudson, 2005.

Image Source: http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/emperor-constantine-inge-johnsson.jpg

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80 AD

This “gift" to the Roman people from emperor Vespasian signifies the rising complexity of an ever-growing population in Rome.  Emperors taxed its empire to pay for the city of Rome’s entertainment. Organization of activities and general services needed in a large population was needed. Legislation about waste disposal and other necessities were brought about, yet Rome still lacked in sanitation. These new urban features spread to other parts of Rome, linking Roman cities together even more.

Scarre, Christopher. "The Mediterranean World." InThe Human Past: World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies, 473-517. London: Thames & Hudson, 2005.

Image Source: http://www.kingsacademy.com/mhodges/11_WesternArt/08_Roman/08_Roman.htm

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323-31 BC

In the period between Alexander the Great’s conquests and the rise of Rome, became a time of trade increase, intellectual exchange, and travel (Scarre, 501). This was a time of innovation and intellect. They had developments in literature, philosophy, medicine, science, religion, and warfare (Scarre 501). While the Hellenistic world had a stronger sense of cultural commonality than other ages, the lands were still far apart and had a wide variety of people. In order to cope with the diversity, Hellenistic Art was exaggerated in size and expression to appeal to a more variety of people. The adoption of the ruler cult, idolizing rulers and believing them to be Gods occurred. This idea became vital in governing the regions.

Scarre, Christopher. "The Mediterranean World." InThe Human Past: World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies, 473-517. London: Thames & Hudson, 2005.

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336-323 AD

Through military conquest, propaganda, and skilled manipulation, Alexander of Macedon transformed the Mediterranean region. Alexander implemented administrative and military infrastructure that continued in future years. He also created new cities all across Greece, most notably Alexandria.

Though it was forcefully, Alexander united the separated regions of Greece under himself, foreshadowing future Roman rule.

Scarre, Christopher. "The Mediterranean World." InThe Human Past: World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies, 473-517. London: Thames & Hudson, 2005.

Image Source: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/959/Alexander-the-Great-as-Zeus-Ammon-on-a-silver-tetradrachm

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750-480 BC

The Greek city-state represents the rising social-complexity of the time.

The formation of the Greek polis, or city-state happened during the Archaic Period, following the Greek Dark Age.  Political, economic, and religious connections held the people together

This change from one socio-political organization to another demonstrates an increasing social complexity in Greek society. Some factors that led to this shift were "(issues of) social inequality, formalization of social and political relations, and changing economic relations" (Van Der Vliet).

Van Der Vliet, Edward C.L. "The Early State, the Polis and State Formation in Early Greece." Social Evolution & History 7, no. 1 (2008). Accessed November 15, 2014. http://www.sociostudies.org/journal/articles/140561/.

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1490 BC

This event, while causes still unknown, was the mark of the rise of Mycenaean Greece.  Mycenaean Greece had advanced infrastructure and engineering capabilities.  During this period, a trading system with a “complex network of exchange, diplomacy, and multicultural interaction involving participants from many regions and polities” arose (Scarre, 486).

Along with this change in power a more developed form of writing, Linear B script, emerged. The Mycenaean kept many records pertaining to mainly mundane palace activities. The transition to Linear B script shows the process of developing language and cultural complexity.

Scarre, Christopher. "The Mediterranean World." InThe Human Past: World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies, 473-517. London: Thames & Hudson, 2005.

Image Source-https://www.utexas.edu/courses/classicalarch/readings/ch1.html

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First
indication of Egyptian                         contact with Crete 

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First
indication of Egyptian                         contact with Crete 

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Third Millennium BC

The opening of trade with Egypt to the rest of the Mediterranean world is marked by small amounts of Egyptian artifacts such as hippopotamus ivory located in Crete.  Contact with Egypt opened a new source of materials for the Minoans, and a large cultural influence that helped shape the future. The Cretan hieroglyphic script contains Egyptian characters indicating Egyptian writing system was used as reference. One of the largest examples of Egyptian influence, is Crete's emulation of Egyptian funerary practices. Minoan burial methods began shifting to a more Egyptian style such as the use of clay coffins. The Minoan's use of Egyptian seals and amulets shows how "Egyptian magical beliefs had been assimilated on Crete at a popular level" (Cline).

Cline, Eric H. "Egypt and Crete in the Early Middle Bronze Age: A Case of Trade and Cultural Diffusion." InThe Aegean and the Orient in the Second Millennium: Proceedings of the 50th Anniversary Symposium, Cincinnati, 18-20 April 1997. Vol. 18. Liège, Belgique: Université De Liège, Histoire De L'art Et Archéologie De La Grèce Antique ;, 1998.

Image Source- http://www.crete-kreta.com/phaistos

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1700-1490 BC

While still lacking defense walls, Minoan palaces served as multifunctional spaces. These "regional centers" served as collective storage places that might have redistributed staple goods. (Scarre 480). Because of all the activities taking place in these palaces, the need for better administration practices arose. "Various systems of seals, two forms of script emerged as administrative technologies to account for and record the distribution of such commodities"(scarre 480). Along with these palaces, peak sanctuaries and other communal religious centers were constructed.  Multiple peak sanctuaries linked along with Minoan palaces led to the stronger community ties. The bond of religion began to tie together separate island communities.

Scarre, Christopher. "The Mediterranean World." InThe Human Past: World Prehistory & the Development of Human Societies, 473-517. London: Thames & Hudson, 2005.

Image Source- http://www.sights-and-culture.com/Crete/Knossos-magaron-queen.html