Ancient World
Shang Yang's Reforms (356 BC): Legalism Transforms the Qin State
Qin became a centralised, militarised state based on law, rewards and punishments, laying the foundation for its unification of China in 221 BC.
Era · c. 3000 BC – AD 500
Ancient World
The first cities, empires and written records, from the pyramids of Egypt to Greece and the Roman Empire.
Ancient World
Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (c. 353 BC): Tomb of King Mausolus
The tomb became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and gave the word 'mausoleum' to many languages.
Ancient World
Battersea Shield: Iron Age Celtic Art from the River Thames
The shield facing became one of the best-known masterpieces of Iron Age Celtic art in Britain, probably deposited in the river as an offering.
Ancient World
Tovsta Mohyla Pectoral: Masterpiece of Scythian Gold
The pectoral became a national treasure of Ukraine and is kept in the Museum of Historical Treasures of Ukraine in Kyiv.
Ancient World
Nanda Empire: Magadha's Wealthy Dynasty Before the Mauryas
The Nandas built the largest kingdom in India up to their time but were overthrown by Chandragupta Maurya.
Ancient World
Samnite Wars (343-290 BC): Rome's Struggle for Central Italy
Rome defeated the Samnites and their allies and emerged as the dominant power in peninsular Italy.
Ancient World
Battle of Maling (342 BC): Sun Bin's Ambush of Pang Juan
Decisive Qi victory; Pang Juan died, the Wei crown prince was captured and Wei lost its position as the leading power.
Ancient World
Theatre of Epidaurus (c. 340 BC): Greek Theatre of Perfect Sound
The best-preserved ancient Greek theatre, still used for performances and celebrated for its acoustics.
Ancient World
Qu Yuan (c. 340-278 BC): Poet of Chu and the Dragon Boat Story
Qu Yuan died by drowning in the Miluo River around 278 BC; his poems founded the Chu Ci tradition and he became linked with the Dragon Boat Festival.
Ancient World
Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC): Philip II Conquers Greece
Decisive Macedonian victory; Philip II became master of mainland Greece and organised the League of Corinth under his leadership.
Ancient World
Royal Tombs of Aegae (Vergina): The Tomb of Philip II (336 BC)
The discovery of richly furnished, unlooted Macedonian royal tombs confirmed Vergina as Aegae, though the identity of the man in Tomb II is still debated.
Ancient World
Alexander the Great (356-323 BC): Conquests of Macedon's King
Alexander conquered the Achaemenid Persian Empire and reached the Indus, but his empire split among his generals after his death in 323 BC.