Ancient World
Library of Alexandria: Founding, Scholars and Destruction
Alexandria became the leading centre of Greek scholarship for centuries; the Library declined gradually and had disappeared by late antiquity.
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
Colossus of Rhodes (c. 280 BC): The Giant Bronze Statue of Helios
The statue stood for about 54 years before an earthquake broke it; its ruins lay on the ground for some 800 years.
Ancient World
Lighthouse of Alexandria: The Pharos, a Wonder of the World
The tower guided ships into Alexandria for some 1,500 years before earthquakes ruined it; its name became the word for lighthouse in many languages.
Ancient World
Han Feizi and Legalism: The Philosophy Behind the Qin State
Han Fei died in Qin captivity in 233 BC, but his writings became the fullest statement of Legalist thought and shaped imperial Chinese government.
Ancient World
Pyrrhic War (280-275 BC): Pyrrhus of Epirus Against Rome
Pyrrhus won costly battles but failed to defeat Rome or Carthage and withdrew to Greece in 275 BC; Rome went on to control southern Italy.
Ancient World
Celtic Invasion of Greece (279 BC): Brennus Attacks Delphi
The Gauls ravaged Macedonia and central Greece but were repulsed at Delphi; survivors moved on to Thrace and Anatolia.
Ancient World
Battle of Asculum (279 BC): The Original Pyrrhic Victory
Narrow and costly victory for Pyrrhus; Rome refused to make peace and Pyrrhus soon left for Sicily.
Ancient World
Galatians: The Celtic Invaders Who Settled in Anatolia
Three Celtic tribes settled central Anatolia, raided their neighbours for decades and eventually became the Roman province of Galatia in 25 BC.
Ancient World
Aristarchus of Samos (c. 270 BC): The First Sun-Centred Universe
Aristarchus' heliocentric model was rejected in antiquity, but it was later recognised as an early anticipation of Copernicus.
Ancient World
Gladiatorial Games in Ancient Rome: Origins, Arenas and End
Gladiatorial combat became a central Roman public spectacle for some 600 years before fading out in the 5th century AD.
Ancient World
First Punic War (264-241 BC): Rome and Carthage Clash at Sea
Roman victory; Carthage gave up Sicily and paid a large indemnity, and Sicily became Rome's first overseas province.
Ancient World
Battle of Changping (260 BC): Qin's Crushing Victory over Zhao
Decisive Qin victory; the main army of Zhao was destroyed and no single state could again match Qin.