ChronologyofGreekMythology

TheBeginning
TheRiseoftheGods
TheHeroicAge

TheReignoftheTitans
TheAffairsoftheGods
TheHellenicWars

TheSpartanAge
LocalKingLists

TheAthenianAge
FamilyoftheGodsandHeroes

CHRONOLOGY/TIMELINE
TheBeginning
1888BCEvenorcolonisestheAegean(AchaeansinvadeGreeceintwowavesfrom2200BCand
19001800BC,TroyVI/VIIbuilt.FirstMinoanpalacebuiltatKnossosc.1900BC)
1842AtlasthesonofEvenorgiveshisnametoAtlantis
TheBirthoftheWorld
1788BCChaosgivesbirthtoGia(MotherEarth)(AchaeansinvadeGreeceintwowavesfrom
2200BCand19001800BC,TroyVI/VIIbuilt.FirstMinoanpalacebuiltatKnossosc.1900BC)
1770GiagivesbirthtoUranus(theSky)
1750UranusrapesGia.(ShafttombsatMycenaeconstructedbetween1740and1450BC)
fromGia.
1710TheTitansfightUranusandeventuallyheisdefeatedbyCronos(Saturn).
CronoscutsofUranus'genitalswithasickleandthrowsthemtowardsKythara.Theseabeginsto
frothandAphroditeemergesnakedfromtheseaoffthecoastofCyprus.
TheReignoftheTitans.
17051675BCCronos(Saturn)becomesrulerofOlympus.GoldenAgeofMankind(Saturrulesat
Knossosc.17251675BC.PalaceatKnossosdestroyedc.1700BCthenrebuilt)
CronosimprisonstheHekadoncheriesandCyclopesinTartaruslocatedintheunderworld,thenorganises
theTitansgivingeachadominion.PalaceisbuiltatOlympus.

1703BCCronoshearsaprophecyfromGia(Earth).
CronosiswarnednottotakeRheaashiswifeorhavechildrenwithher,otherwiseoneofhischildrenwill
dethronehimafterhetakeshissisterRheaashiswife,whogivesbirthtoHestia,Demeter,Hera,Hades,
Poseidon,andZeus.
CronosswallowshischildreninordertoavoidtheprophesybutstoneissubstitutedbyRheainplaceof
ZeuswhoistakenbyhismotherintohidinginCrete.

TheRiseoftheGods
17031687BCZeusgrowsupandisvisitedsecretlybyhismother.
WhengrownhemakesplanstogetherwithRheaandGiatofreehisbrothersandsisters.
ZeusgoestoOlympusindisguiseandsitsatdinnerwiththeTitansandhisfatherwhothinkingZeushad
beenswalloweddoesnotrecognisehim.
ZeusmakesCronosdrunk,whothenvomitsoutthegodsheswallowed.Thestoneisalsovomited.Cronos
seesthestoneandrecognisesZeus.
ZeusandhisbrothersfightCronostomaketheirgetaway.

1687ZeusattackstheTitans.
SomeTitanssidewithZeus,i.e.Prometheus,Epimetheus.
AtlasiscommanderoftheTitansloyaltoCronos.TheWarlasts10years.
TheGodsthenreleasetheHekadoncheriesandtheCyclopesfromimprisonmentinTartarus,whobecome
theirallies.

1687or1677ZeustakeshissisterHeraaswife
16871677BirthsofHephaestus,Ares,Eris,Hebe.
1677VictoryforZeus.(HyksosDynastyinvadesandrulesEgyptfrom1674to1546BC)
CronosisexiledtoElysia.
Atlasispunishedbybeingmadetocarrytheheavensonhisshoulders.
Zeusandtheothergodsdrawlotsfortheirpositioninthenewregime.
Zeusgetstoruletheheavens,PoseidontheseaandHadestheunderworld.
Thelandiscommontoallofthegods.

TheAffairsoftheGods.
16771628TheSilverorsecondoftheFiveagesofmankindbegins.
1677ZeushasvariousaffairswiththegodsandTitans.(seefamilytrees.)
16771675BirthsofApollo,Artemis,Hermes,Athenebydifferentmothers.
1667PrometheusischainedtotherocksafterstealingthesecretoffirefromtheGodsandgiving
ittoman
1667or1515ZeushasaffairIo(Ioun)thedaughterofInarchusthesonofOceanusandcarriesher
oftoEgypt.(TheHyksoskingBeonalsocalledKhyanrulesEgypt1667.51645.5BC)

1664HeraklestheDactylholdsthefirstOlympicGames
1660PhoroneusthefirstmanrulesovertheentirePeloponnesefromPhronociumlatertobecome
Argos
PrometheusgivesmanthesecretoffireandispunishedbytheGods.
1654ThegodscreatePandora.EpimetheusisgivenPandoratobehiswife.Pandoraisgivena
bottleasaweddingpresentandtoldnottoopenit.Pandoraopensitandmankindsuffersthe
consequences.
1637or1668HermesstealsApollo'scattle.(14royaltombsatMycenaedatebetween16501550
BC)
1628ThebattleoftheGodsandGiants.Typhonisdefeatedandimprisonedunderavolcano.
(Theravolcanoeruptsin1628BC.MinoanpalaceatKnossosdestroyedbyearthquakesc.1600
BC)(Noah'sFloodtakesplacein1627BCaccordingtothebible)
16281460BCTheBrazen,orthirdofthefiveagesofmankind
1628ZeusseducesNiobethedaughterofPhoroneus(firstofZeusaffairswithmortalwomen)
1628CarthesonofPhoroneusfoundsthecityofMegara
1610ArgusthegrandsonofPhoroneusfoundsthecityofArgos(Achaeaninvadersreachregion
ofMycenaec.1600BC)
1560ApollokillsArgus/Triopas
1535PelasgusrulesoverArcadia
1510PolycaonsonofLelaxrulesinMesseniaandMylesrulesinSparta
1510TheAloads,OtosandEphialtessonsofIphimedeiapilethemountainsontopofeachother
inordertoreachtheGods(ThebiblicaltowerofBabelisbuiltattheendofthereignofPhaleg
15111502BC)
15001460LycaonprovokestheGodsangerbymurderinghissonNyctimusandservinghimup

totheGods
TheHeroicAge
14601103BCTheHeroicsecondbrazen,orfourthofthefiveagesofmankind
1464DanusandAegyptusbeginfeuding(c.1480BCTutmosesIIIcampaignsinAsiaMinor)
1464AFloodissentbyZeustodestroyallofmankind.Deucalionandhisfamilyescapesinan
ArkwhichPrometheustellshimtobuild.
1452ZeusviolatesEurope,birthofMinos(Mycenaean'sconquerMinoansinCretec.1450BC.
EarthquakedestroyscityatKnossosc.1450BC.Palaceisrebuiltanduseduntilc.1380BC)
1451CadmuscolonisesBootiaandfoundsThebes.
1440DardanusfoundsTroyafterbeinggivenashareinthekingdomofTeucerkingofPhrygia
(ThurgaliskingoftheHittitesfrom14601440)
1434MinosIbecomeskingofCrete
1432DionysusthesonofZeusandSemeledaughterofCadmusisborn(AtPylosDiwonisojo
isfoundinscribedinLinearBc.1250BC)
1414OlympicGamesheld50yearsaftertheflood
1414DionysusisentertainedbyAmphyctionkingofAthens
1413ErichthoniusnowrulesatAthens
1413ErichthoniusrulesatTroy
1400CinyrasthesonofPaphosthesonofPygmalionthesonofBelusfundsthecityofPaphosin
Cyprus(CyprusisconqueredbytheMycenaean'sandMinoancolonywipedoutc.1400)
1386DionysusknownasTauroKranosrestoresAmmonaskingofEgyptthenconquers
DamascusandallofIndia.(AmenhotepIIIreignsfrom13861349,AryaninvadersdestroyIndus
Valleycivilisationc.1400,TudhaliaIII(Turgal)rulestheHittites14001380BC)(Accordingto
thebibleDagonisGodofthePhilistinesapeoplewhosecultureisMycenaeanandwhoare
contemporariesofAbrahamc.1390BC,WaroccursinSyriabetween9kingsc.1390BC)
1377TectemusthesonofDorusfoundscolonyinCreteandfathersAsterius(secondMycenaean
waveofcolonisationinCreteputsandendtoMinoanpalacecivilisationc.1400BC)
1375DionysusdrivesPentheusthekingofThebestomadness
1365PerseussonofDanaebyZeusisborn
1364AetolusconquersAetoliaaftermurderingDorusthesonofPhthiaandhisbrothers
1345PegasusthewingedhorsebornfromMedusasbloodaftersheisslainbyPerseus
13421320ThechildrenofPerseusandAndromedaareborn(FortressofMycenaebuiltbetween
1400and1200)
1339PerseusaccidentallykillshisgrandfatherAcrisiusatfuneralGamesofKingTeutamides
father
1333BellerophonatkingProetuscourt
1325MelampustheseercuresthemadnessoftheArgivewomenandreceivesonethirdofProetus
kingdomandhisbrotherBiasanotherthird.FirsttemplebuilttoDionysus.
1321PhrixuswhileaboyistakentoColchisbyaGoldenLamb
13151282PelopsthesonofTantaluskingofPhrygiaandLydiafleesAsiaMinorandrulesinPisa
andOlympia(MursiliskingoftheHittiteswhosenameisCandaulesinLydiandiesin1415BC)
1314PelopssisterNiobemarriesAmphionkingofThebes
1314PelopsholdsOlympicGames
1314TheArgonaughtsCalaisandZatesareborntoOreithyiaandBores
1400PelopsmarriesHippodamia
1400or1390LaiuscariesofChrysippusthesonofPelopsandAstyoche
1299MinosIIthegrandsonofMinosbecomeskingofCreteafterAsteriusdies(MostLinearB
inscriptionsfounddatefrom12501175BCandnoearlierthanc.13501300BC)
1293AlciusthesonofPerseuskillsBusaristhekingofEgyptandhissonafterescapingfrom
beingtakenprisonertobesacrificedinordertoputanendtoalongfamine(Horemehebknown
alsoasMoerisorBocchorisreignsinEgyptfrom13211293followedbyRamsesI12931291

duringaperiodofpestilence)(BiblicalfamineofJosephoccursin1310BC)
1290OebalusbecomesthesecondhusbandofGorgophonethedaughterofPerseus
February101286HeraklesisconceivedwhenZeusextendsonenightintothree(Totalsolar
eclipseoverAegean)
October311286orDecember41286HeraklesisbornandnamedPalamon(FeastofBeltane)
12861264SthenelustakesthroneofMycenaeafterAmphytrionkillsElectryonsonofPerseus
1285Heraklesstrangles2serpentssentbyHera
1283BiaskilledbyhisnephewPylas
1282AeacushelpsPoseidonbuildthewallsofTroyforLaodamaonnowkingofTroy
1274PeliasimprisonsAesonandtakesthethroneafterthebirthofJason
1268HerakleslieswithThespius50daughtersandkillstheLionofCithaeron
12641246OedepuskillsLaiusthekingofThebesandmarrieshisownmother
1264AegeusaccidentallykillsMinossonAndrogeusatGamesheldinhonourofLaiuskingof
Thebesandisforcedtopayatributeof7Athenianboysandgirlsevery9years
1264AtreusandThyestesmarchagainstLaiusthekingofThebes(Hittiteinscriptionbearingthe
nameAtreusandaccusinghimofraidingtheirterritorydatestoc.1250BC)
1264AllofGreeceplaguedbyearthquakesandfamineduetoPelopsmurderofStymphalusorthe
AtheniansmurderofAndrogeusandAeacusissenttoprayfordeliverance
1264HeraklesmarriesMegaraafterdefeatingtheMinyanswhileCreoniskingofThebesinplace
ofLaius
1262Theseusisborn
12581246TheLaboursofHeraklestakeplacewhileEurestheusisHighKingofMycenae(Walls
ofMycenaeextendedandLionGatebuiltc.1250BC.Indicationsofseriousdestructionofhouses
outsidewallsc.1250BC)
1257or1247TheCaledonianBoarhunt
1257or1247Castor,PolyducesandIdasandLynceusbeginfeuding
1255or1247ThemarriageofPeleustohissecondwifeThetis
1254or1246The4monthlongvoyageofJasonandtheArgonaughts(Mycenaeanremainsfound
insouthernItalyandSicilyc.14001200BC)
1253or1245EumolpusisvictoriousintheflutecontestatPeliasfuneralgames
1248or1245ThestoryofOrpheusandEuridice
1246AegeusfathersMedusbyMediawhofleestoAthensaftermurderingGlaucethedaughterof
Creon
1246TheseuskillstheMinotauratthecentreoftheLabyrinthbuiltbyDaedelus(Placecalled
DaidaleionmentionedinLinearBinscriptionsfoundatKnossosdatingtoc.1250BC)
1246ThebirthofAchilles
12461242HeraklesissoldasaslavetoOmphaleafterkillingIphitus
12421238HeraklessettlesoldscoresinthePeloponnese
1242HeraklessacksTroyandputsayoungPriamonthethrone(TroyVIIdestroyedc.1250BC)
1241HeraklesconquersElis
1240or1230HeraklesplacesNestorwhoisstillaboyonthethroneofMesseniaafterkillinghis
brothersandfatherkingNeleusofPylosforhelpingtheElians(Pylosfallsc.1250BC)
1239HeraklesdefeatsthesonsofHippocoonandrestoresthethroneofSpartatoTyndareus
adoptivefatherofHelen
1239HeraklesestablishesOlympicGamesatElis.PolyducesischampionBoxer.
1238HeraklesleavesthePeloponneseandmarriesDeianara
1235HeraklesexiledtoThrachisafterkillingoneofOeneuskinsmen
1234NessuscarriesofDeianaraandiskilledbyHerakleswithapoisonarrow
1232CheironaccidentallyshotinthefootwhileentertainingHeraklesandAchilleshisstudent,
forcinghimtogiveuphisimmortality
1230ThebirthofParis
1230or1224ThebirthsClytemnestra&Helen(LastofZeus'saffairswithmortals)
1229HerakleskillsCycnusthesonofAres
1228The7againstThebes

1225ProphecyrevealedfromOracleofDodonathatHerakleswoulddiein15monthsafter
carryingoffIole
1223Heraklesdiesandbecomesagod
1223EurestheusdefeatedbyTheseusandbeheadedbyHyllusthesonofHerakles
12231103BCTheHellenicWars
March51223AtreustakesthethroneofMycenae(TotalsolareclipseoverAegean)
1223ThebirthofAgamemnon
1223LaiusbecomesfatherofOdysseus
1218TheseuscapturesThebesandburiesthebodiesofthesevenwhichwereleftunburiedby
Creon.
1218or1212TheseusabductsHelenwhensheis12yearsoldandheis50.
1213HyllusthesonofHeraklesisslainattheIsthmusofCorinthwhilefightingagainstAtreus
champion(CyclopeandefensiveWallbuiltatIsthmusofCorinthc.12201200BC.)
1213HeraklesmotherAlcmenediesattheageofabout90
1210or1204Theseusiskilledsoonafterhereturnsfrom4yearsinTartarusafterbeingforcedto
fleeAthensbyHelensbrothers
1208TheEpigoniattackThebes(Thebanpalacedestroyedc.1200BCthenreoccupied)
1207AfterseveralbadharvestsAtreusisslainby7yearoldAeigisthusandThyestestakesthe
throneofMycenae(IndicationsofseriousdestructionofhousesoutsidewallsofMycenaec.1200
BC)
1205TheBeautycontest.AgamemnonavengesAtreusmurder
1203HelenabductedbyParis.FirstGatheringatAeolis(IndicationsofInvasionofMycenaeby
peoplefromCentralAsiac.12001190BC.SeriousdestructionatMycenaec.1200BC.)
1201FirstGatheringatAeolis
1193TheattemptedsacrificeofIphigenia.SecondGatheringatAeolis(Inscriptionsbearingthe
nameIphimedeiafoundatKnossos)
11931183ThesiegeofTroy(TroyVIIAdestroyedc.1200BC)(AccordingtoManethothe
BiblicalExodustakesplaceinthereignofSetiII11991193BC)
1183ThecaptureofTroy
11831182ThereturnandmurderofAgamemnon(13Gamelion1183)
11831173TheOdyssey(AmassivetidalwaveswampstheAegeanandreachesCyprusinc.1200
BC)
1180TeucerconquersCyprus
April161178ThesuitorsvieforPenelope(TotalsolareclipseoverAegean)
1175MeneleusfleesEgypt(RamsesIIIexpelsSeaPeoplesfromEgyptin1175BC)
1175ThevengeanceofOrestesagainstCytemnestraandAegistheus
11751174OrestesispursuedbytheErinnyes
1173HermesfathersPanbyPanelopewifeofOdysseus
1163OresteskillsAletessonofAegistheusgrandsonofThyestesafterheusurpsthethronewhen
OrestesendshissearchforIphigenia
1163TheHerakildsresumetheirattacksonMycenaefiftyyearson.OrestesistoldbytheDelphi
OracletomovefromMycenaetoArkadia.(Indicationsofseriousdestructionofhousesoutside
wallsofMycenaec.1150BC)
1143AutesionexpelledfromThebesafterhedefectstotheHeraklids
1124TsamneusthesonofOrestesrulesoverMycenae
1115PenthilusthesonofOrestesseizesLesbos
1103TheHeraklidsdefeatTsiamneusthesonofOrestesandconquerthePeloponnese.
(IndicationsofInvasionofMycenaebypeopleformCentralAsiac.1100BC.AttackonAsia
MinorbyTiglathPileserIkingofAssyriain1110BC)
1103BCThelastofthefiveagesofmankindtheIronage

TheSpartanage

1103InalotteryEurystheneseandProclesethesonsofAristodemuswinSpartaandCresphontes
getstoruleMessenia
1075CodrussucceedsMelanthusaskingofAthens.TheIoniansfleetheSpartanonslaughtand
seekrefugeeinAthensandfoundnewcoloniesinAsiaMinor.
1067MedonsucceedsCodrusandreducesthearchonshiptoamaximumdurationof10years.The
AtheniansfoundcoloniesinCariaandotherpartsofAsialedbyNeileusthesonofCodrusand
PhilistusthesonofPasicles(ThePhilistinesrulemostofPalestinefromthetimeofSampsonto
theendofthereignofSaul1075.51016.5BC)
1064CresphontesismurderedandthesonsofAristodemushelphisyoungestsonAeyptuswin
backthethrone
1061PatreusthesonofPreugenesfoundscityofPatraeinAchaea
1052GrasthesonofEchelassonofPenthilusoccupiesAeolis
1030EchestratusremovesalltheCynuriansofmilitaryage,allegingasareasonthatfreebooters
fromtheCynurianterritorywereharryingArgolis.
979WaragainsttheArgivesforannexingtheCynurianterritorywhichtheSpartanshadcaptured,
andcausingrevoltsamongtheirsubjectsthePerioeci.
958883PeaceinSparta
883CharillusismadeawardofLycurgus
865CharillusdevastatesthelandoftheArgivesandhelpsArchelaustodestroyAegysthen
campaignsagainstTegeainvain
850LycurguscollectstogethertheworksofHomer
825TelecleseconquersandreducesAmyclae,Pharis,andGeranthrae,citiesofthePerioeciis
785TelecleseismurderedbytheMesseniansinthesanctuaryofArtemis
776TheOlympicsisrevivedatElisinthe10thyearofTheopompus
776ThefirstMessenianwarisprovoked
758AndroclesismurderedandAntiochusrulesMesseniaalone
757TheSpartansattackAmpheia
754PolydorussendscoloniststoItaly
738ThefirstMessenianwarends
727717HippomenesarchonofAthenskillshisdaughtersadultererbyyokinghimuptohis
chariotandthenlockshisdaughterupwithahorseuntilshedies
719PolydorusismurderedbyPolymarchus
716ThereignoftheHeraklidsoverLydiaisendedwhenCandaulesknownasMyrsilustothe
GreeksismurderedbyGygesbecauseofhiswife'sanger
685or699ThesecondMessenianwarbegins
670PerdikkasfleesfromArgostoMacedoniaandconquerstheland
665or679secondMessenianwarends
655CypsilussubjectsCorinthtotyranny
645560UnsuccessfulwarswithTegea
642or626BattusestablishesaGreekcolonyinLybia
632CylonattemptstosubjectAthenstohistyranny
600ArionisrescuedbyaDolphinfrombeingdrownedbypirates
591SolonreformstheAthenianconstitutionanddeparts
28May585AtotalSolarEclipsepredictedbyThalestheMilesisanendswarbetweenthe
Lydian'sandMedes
570SolonvisitsthecourtofAhmoseII
560TheOracleofApolloatDelphiadvisesAnaxandridusandAristontofindthebonesofOrestes
andreburythemtoobtainsuccessintheirbattles.TheSpartanswinthewarwithTegea

TheAthenianAge

559PeisistratusseizespowerinAthensandbeginsa49yearlongtyrannyunderhisandhissons

rule
546CyrustakesLydiaandharshlytreatstheIonianandAcheancolonieswhofoughtalongside
Croesus
540Pythagorasteachesmathematicsandphilosophy
510ClisthenesleadsthepeopleAthens
490ThePersiansaredefeatedattheBattleofMarathon
480or478TheBattleofSalamisiswonbytheGreeksandtheAthenianGoldenAgebegins
447TheParthenonisbuilt
440Herodotuswriteshishistories

TraditionalChronologybasedonExtentLiterature

CatalogueandChronologyofExtentLiterature

TheGreekGodsidentifiedwithRealKings

HistoryoftheMycenaean's

LinearBinscriptions

GodsfoundinLinearB
[lastupdated03072002]