World History Timeline by Laney Bernardini

Lascaux Cave Art

laneyb136 — 2025-01-23 18:02:10 UTC

The Lascaux cave art is a depiction of several animals on the wall of a cave. Since there was no sort of signature or documentation on this piece of art, the artist has remained unknown. As previously stated, the lack of documentation regarding this painting has left the true conception date of this piece of art unknown, but it is suggested to have been created around 20,000 years ago. the cave that this art was created in is located in the Dordogne region of France. Through much speculation and analysis, experts were able to determine that the art was painted out of several different pigmented minerals. The purpose of this painting and others like it have been suggested to be artistic or ceremonial, for the most part. Although there are strong theories with plenty of evidence behind the purpose of these paintings, it is important to note that the exact purpose of these paintings has not been officially stated by experts.

Stonehenge

laneyb136 — 2025-01-30 17:36:48 UTC

Stonehenge is a construction of large boulders placed in a circle. The artist of this construction is unknown. The exact date of this construction is unknown, but experts suggest it to have been created around 3100-1600 BC. Stonehenge is located on Salisbury Plains in Wiltshire, England. The boulders used for this construction consist of sarsen and bluestones. Although there could be several plausible theories for the purpose of Stonehenge's creation, most people agree that it was used as a burial ground. It is also widely accepted that Stonehenge was also used for religious rituals and ceremonies.

Sumerian Worshippers

laneyb136 — 2025-02-04 18:32:42 UTC

The Sumerian Worshipper sculptures depict Sumerian people worshipping and praying to a god. The creator of these sculptures is unknown. Although the exact creation date of these sculptures is unknown, most were created between 2900-2550 BC. The Sumerian Worshipper sculptures were unearthed in Eshnunna, which would now be considered part of Iraq's territory. The materials used for these sculptures were found to be limestone, gypsum, and alabaster. These sculptures were created to represent those who offer sacrifices and prayers to their gods. They were often placed in temples as intermediary objects that connected the mortal world to the divine realm.

Code of Hammurabi

laneyb136 — 2025-02-10 17:55:26 UTC

The Law Code Stele of King Hammurabi is a stele that has the Code of Hammurabi inscribed on it, as well as a carving of Hammurabi himself. Shamash is also depicted on the stele, speaking the laws to Hammurabi. The artist of this stele is unknown, but the creator of the code inscribed on the stele is Hammurabi. The creation date of this stele is said to be dated around 1792-1750 BCE. Several copies of this stele have been created and, as such, have been located in several places such as Asia, Iraq, and South Asia. A large block of basalt was used for the creation of this stele. The Law Code Stele of King Hammurabi served the purpose of officially declaring and informing the Babylonians of Hammurabi's Code.

Ishtar Gate

laneyb136 — 2025-02-17 17:47:51 UTC

The Ishtar Gate was the eighth gate to the inner city of Babylon. The specific builders of the gate have not been named, but it was King Nebuchadnezzar ll who ordered for the gate to be built. The gate was built at around 575 BC. The structure, being built as the eighth gate into the city of Babylon, was built in Babylon, which is now Iraq. The roof and doors of the gate were made of cedar and the walls of glazed bricks. It is also decorated with alternating rows of dragons and bulls. The Gate of Ishtar was created to display the power and wealth of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple

laneyb136 — 2025-02-24 17:45:42 UTC

Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple was an impressive temple built to store royal blood after their passing. The temple was built during Hatshepsut's reign, hence the name, but the exact builders of this temple are unknown, although it is speculated that it could've been built by Senenmut. The temple was founded at around 15 BC. It is located on the West Bank of Luxor. Limestone, sandstone, and granite are the primary materials that were used to build the temple. The Mortuary Temple's primary use was to store the bodies of royalty during Hatshepsut's reign. Another use for the temple was to honor the gods.

Nefertiti

laneyb136 — 2025-02-24 18:21:42 UTC

The bust of Nefertiti is a sculpture made in Nefertiti's image. The artist is believed to have been Thutmose because the sculpture was found in his workshop. Its creation date is around 1345 BC. The workshop in which it was founded is located in Amarna, Egypt, so it was most likely created in that area. The bust was created out of stucco-coated limestone and painted. The sculpture of Nefertiti's bust was created as a reference. Multiple sources state that Thutmose created the bust to have something to work off of when designing other portraits of her likeness.

The Great Bath

laneyb136 — 2025-04-09 16:27:17 UTC

The Great Bath is essentially a large, structurally sound hole in the ground. It was supposedly built by the Harappan civilization, but the specific names of the people who planned and built it are unknown. According to archaeologists, the Great Bath was built around 5,000 years ago. It was built in the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro, or present-day Pakistan. The Great Bath was made of materials including sawed brick, gypsum mortar, and bitumen. Although the exact purpose of the Great Bath is unknown, it is believed to have been used for ritualistic cleansing. Many people compare the Great Bath to a public pool, seeing as it was available for public use.

Toreador Fresco

laneyb136 — 2025-04-22 16:57:45 UTC

The Toreador Fresco is a painting that depicts 3 people leaping over a bull. The artist of this work of art is unknown. It was made in 1400 BC. The Toreador Fresco was found in pieces in the Palace of Minos, a place in Ancient Greece. The materials used to create this mural, although quite difficult to figure out, are presumably colored pigments and plaster. The purpose of this painting is to display an artistic rendition of a ritual from Ancient Greece. It is said that engaging in bull sports was seen as a “rite of passage” in order to become an adult in Ancient Greece, implying that the purpose of the mural was to show off this “rite of passage”.

Mask of Agamemnon

laneyb136 — 2025-04-22 17:00:08 UTC

The Mask of Agamemnon was a mask created for Agamemnon to wear at his funeral. The creator of the mask is unknown. The creation of the mask dates to around 1550-1500 BC. It was created in Mycenae, Greece. The only material used to create this mask was gold. The funerary mask was created to be worn by Agamemnon at his own funeral. The mask indicated wealth, honor, and status.

Amphora

laneyb136 — 2025-04-28 22:36:18 UTC

Amphora is a type of Greek pottery decorated with mythological features or other designs. The artist of the amphora is largely unknown, as there are several pieces of this style of pottery, and there could very well be several artists behind these. The many pieces of amphora were generally created around 550-500 BCE during the Archaic period of Greece. Being a part of Greece's Archaic period, the amphora was made in Greece. The materials used to create and sculpt the amphora into a majestic look in Greek artistry were mostly terracotta, but also consisted of metal, glass, and stone at times. The objective purpose of creating an amphora was mostly for the storage and transportation of goods. The subjective purpose, on the other hand, was to showcase Greece's proud and rich history on its own products, securing its legacy to last for generations.

Discobolus

laneyb136 — 2025-04-28 23:04:34 UTC

Discobolus is a famous Greek sculpture depicting an athlete throwing a discus. The world-renowned sculpture was sculpted by an important Greek sculptor by the name of Myron. Discobolus is speculated to have first been created around 450-440 BCE, but it is important to note that these are only speculations, and the actual truth remains unknown. The location of its creation, being created in Greece and by a Greek artist, is in ancient Greece, specifically in Athens. Originally, the sculpture of Discobolus was created out of bronze, but the surviving recreations are crafted from marble. The purpose of Discobolus was likely to celebrate athletic achievement and the human form in an aesthetically pleasing work of art. Additionally, the sculpture serves to showcase the artistic ideals of Classical Greece through a unique sculpture.

Parthenon

laneyb136 — 2025-04-28 23:09:08 UTC

The Parthenon is a famous Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. The Parthenon was designed by renowned architects Ictinus and Callicrates, under the supervision of Phidias. This wonderfully designed building was constructed between 447 and 432 BCE, or the Golden Age of Athens. It resides on the Acropolis of Athens, Greece, where it stands proudly for all to see. The Parthenon was built using marble, specifically of the Pentelic kind, as well as the sculpting skills of the laborers and architects who built it. The purpose of the Parthenon was to serve as a temple to honor the Greek goddess Athena, the deity who represented Athens. It also served to showcase the wealth as well as the artistic skill of all Athenians.

Laocoon

laneyb136 — 2025-04-28 23:10:36 UTC

The Laocoon is a sculpture that depicts the mythological Laocoon and his sons being attacked by serpents. The sculpture was created by the Rhodian sculptors Agesander, Athenodoros, and Polydoros. The Laocoon sculpture is speculated to have been created in the first century BCE, although no one knows the true date of its creation. It is likely to have been created in Rhodes, Greece, seeing as it was created by Rhodian sculptors. Although it is speculated to have been created in Rhodes, the Laocoon sculpture was originally discovered in Rome. The sculpture was carefully sculpted out of pure white marble. The purpose of the Laocoon sculpture's creation is likely to have been to showcase the artistic skill of the sculptors that made it as well as to represent the intense emotional and physical suffering of Laocoon.

Etruscan

laneyb136 — 2025-04-28 23:11:39 UTC

The Etruscans were an ancient civilization that lived in central Italy, especially in what is now known as Tuscany, between the 8th and 3rd century BCE. Their cities included the important cities of Veii, Tarquinia, and Cerveteri. The Etruscans were well-known for their advanced culture, including their unique language, very advanced metalwork, and rich religious traditions. They constructed elaborate tombs and funerary art, including painted tomb walls and sarcophagi with elaborate carvings of the deceased. Etruscan artists worked in materials such as terracotta, bronze, and stone, and they frequently decorated their work with mythological and daily life scenes. Their architecture included temples with tall podiums, deep porches, and brightly colored roof sculptures. Although the Romans later absorbed much of their culture, Etruscan art and religion had a lasting influence on Roman civilization.

Augustus of Prima Porta

laneyb136 — 2025-04-28 23:15:40 UTC

Augustus of Prima Porta is a marble portrait statue of the first Roman emperor, Augustus Caesar, created around 20 BCE. It was discovered in his wife's villa, Livia, at Prima Porta near Rome, Italy. In this Augustus is shown standing in a stern and idealized posture, wearing a military breastplate and outstretched right hand in a gesture of leadership or address. It was likely ordered to celebrate a diplomatic victory and to depict Augustus as an authoritative, God-granted leader. It was carved in marble and is over 2 meters tall combining Roman realism and Greek classical beauty. Its most notable features are the deep relief on his breastplate and the tiny figure of Cupid astride a dolphin at his leg, representing his divine birth from Venus. The Augustus of Prima Porta today is located in the Vatican Museums and is considered one of Roman imperial propaganda's productions.

Pantheon

laneyb136 — 2025-04-28 23:19:15 UTC

Pantheon is one of the greatest Roman temples of colossal size right in the heart of Rome, Italy. Pantheon was built by Emperor Hadrian between the years 118–125 CE as a rebuilding of the temple commissioned by Marcus Agrippa in 27 BCE. Pantheon was originally dedicated to all the Roman deities and was later re-dedicated in the 7th century as a Christian church. It is best known for its massive dome, the world's largest for centuries and topped by a central oculus through which sunlight pours into the building interior. The building was made of concrete, pumice on top of the upper section of the dome to minimize its weight, and supported by gigantic brick-faced concrete walls. Its entrance is decorated by a traditional portico made up of 16 Egyptian granite Corinthian columns. Pantheon is the most preserved ancient Roman structure in the modern era and continues to inspire architects globally.

The Colosseum

laneyb136 — 2025-04-28 23:20:58 UTC

The Flavian Amphitheater known as the Colosseum stands as a major ancient Roman amphitheater located in the center of Rome Italy. The Colosseum started its construction under Emperor Vespasian in 70 CE before Titus finished it in 80 CE and Domitian added his finishing touches. The venue hosted public entertainment events including gladiator battles and animal hunts and executions and naval battles while providing seating for 50,000 to 80,000 spectators. The construction materials of concrete together with tuff rock and travertine limestone showcase the advanced engineering capabilities of Roman builders. The vault and arch system provides both strength and effectiveness for managing large crowds. Three rows of external arches feature Doric and Ionic and Corinthian columns. The Colosseum stands as Rome's most recognizable landmark which represents both Roman power and engineering mastery.

Hagia Sophia

laneyb136 — 2025-05-02 01:01:31 UTC

The Hagia Sophia is an incredible architectural marvel in Istanbul, Turkey. Originally built as a cathedral by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I and completed in 537 CE, it became the central church of Eastern Orthodox Christianity for nearly 1,000 years. Ordered by architects Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus, it was constructed of brick, mortar, and marble, and a gigantic central dome supported by pendentives—a new design for the time. Hagia Sophia is famous for its vast open interior space, golden mosaics, and incorporation of Christian and subsequent Islamic motifs. It was converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and minarets were added. It was secularized in 1935 and turned into a museum, but in 2020 it was turned back into an operational mosque. Hagia Sophia is now a symbol of religious and architectural transformation, blending Byzantine and Ottoman influences.

Justinian Mosaic

laneyb136 — 2025-05-02 01:03:55 UTC

Justinian Mosaic is the most celebrated of the Byzantine mosaics discovered in Ravenna's Basilica of San Vitale in Italy. The mosaic was created c. 547 CE and features Emperor Justinian I as the centerpiece, surrounded by churchmen, courtiers, and soldiers. Justinian Mosaic features the holding of the emperor of a dish of gold offering that serves as a sign that he was a religious-political leader. It is made up of tiny pieces of colored stone and glass known as tesserae, arranged together to form elaborate images of rich color and a dazzling sheen. The figures are frontal and two-dimensional, with gold backgrounds typical of Byzantine painting that favored religious power over realism. Justinian has a purple cloak and halo, marking him as Christ and divine authority. This mosaic is typical of the syncretism of church and state in the Byzantine Empire and the bestknown depiction of early Christian art.

Leonardo Da Vinci: Virgin of the Rocks

laneyb136 — 2025-05-02 01:04:15 UTC

The Virgin of the Rocks is a painting by Leonardo da Vinci executed between 1483 and 1486, and another version executed between 1495 and 1508. The painting shows the Virgin Mary and infant Jesus infant John the Baptist and an angel standing in a rocky cave. It is a panel oil and is famous for Leonardo's sfumato method of blurring light and dark edges. The models are in a triangular position, forming a natural but irregular composition. It is famous because it is an emotionally painted work as well as naturalistically painted nature, as it depicts the highest level of faith that Leonardo had in science and painting. There exist two versions of the painting, one in London's National Gallery and another in Paris's Louvre Museum. The Virgin of the Rocks is still to this day a masterpiece of Renaissance genius in religious paintings

Raphael: La Velata

laneyb136 — 2025-05-02 01:04:28 UTC

La Velata or The Woman with the Veil, is a painting that Raphael painted in about 1516 during the High Renaissance. There is a woman in the painting dressed in costly attire her shoulders and head covered by a white veil. She is reportedly the same model in Raphael's earlier painting, La Fornarina, and perhaps a person close to him too. Raphael depicted La Velata using oil on canvas with a gentle texture to the apparel and gentle naturalness of the woman's face. Soft naturalness along with an effect of light and shadow provides her soft radiance and emphasizes her beautiful, serene face. Dark simplicity of the background serves to direct all of the viewer's attention to the beauty and poise of the subject. The painting itself belongs to the Palatine Gallery of the Pitti Palace of Florence today and may be considered to be among the most refined portraits of Raphael.

Michelangelo: Cristo della Minerva

laneyb136 — 2025-05-02 01:04:45 UTC

Cristo della Minerva, or Christ the Redeemer is Michelangelo's marble sculpture of 1519-1521. It was commissioned for the Santa Maria sopra Minerva church in Rome and stands today alongside the high altar. The sculpture represents a risen standing Christ carrying the cross, naked save for a later-added cloth out of modesty. Michelangelo carved the figure from marble, demonstrating his skill with anatomy, proportion, and emotional expression. Michelangelo initially intended to create a bronze sculpture but carved in marble and began again with the second try when the first had an imperfection in it. Christ is peaceful but commanding in stance and depicts themes of redemption and religious victory. Despite later additions and alterations, Cristo della Minerva remains a compelling witness to the authority of Michelangelo to reconcile classical form and deep religious meaning.

Donatello: Passion Pulpit

laneyb136 — 2025-05-02 01:05:07 UTC

The Passion Pulpit is a relief sculpture on marble that Donatello worked on between 1460 and 1465, at the San Lorenzo Basilica, Florence, Italy. The work is one of two he worked on during his old age, the other being the Resurrection. The Passion Pulpit depicts the Passion of Christ, with such objects as the Flagellation and Crucifixion in active, crowded fashion. Donatello employed marble and a style of rilievo schiacciato, or low relief, in order to achieve movement and depth within a limited area. The sculptures are expressive too, possessing extremely expressive facial features and assertive body poses, alluding to Christ's suffering. The sculpture shows the application of Donatello utilizing realism as well as his revival later in life towards more passionate and religious imagery. Pulpit of the Passion is regarded as a large and expressive work of Renaissance religious sculpture.

King Solomon's Second Temple

laneyb136 — 2025-05-07 23:36:07 UTC

King Solomon's Second Temple is a common myth because Solomon himself built the First Temple, and subsequently, the Second Temple was built. The Second Temple was built in Jerusalem in about 516 BCE when the Jews returned from their Babylonian exile. It was built on the Temple Mount, where Solomon's First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BCE. It was rebuilt by Zerubbabel under Persian rule and expanded and refurbished further by King Herod the Great around 20 BCE. The temple was built of large stones, wood, and gold and bronze decorations, all strictly in accordance with sacred architectural conventions. It was even the center for Jewish sacrifice and worship until it was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The Second Temple remains a vibrantly significant place in Jewish history, but there is only the Western Wall remaining today.