Dates &
Turning Points
Turning Points
This year marks the traditional founding of the Roman Republic.
What is 509 BC?
This Babylonian king built massive public works and conquered Jerusalem.
Who is Nebuchadnezzar II?
This location housed the major temples of Athens.
What is the Acropolis?
This (brief) empire replaced Assyria as the dominant Mesopotamian power.
What is the Babylonian Empire?
During the 6th century BC, this group dominated early Rome, influencing its government, architecture, and culture before being overthrown.
Who are the Etruscans?
This remarkable feat of engineering was built by Nebuchadnezzar II for his Median wife, and was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
What are the Hanging Gardens of Babylon?
In 612 BC, this powerful empire collapsed after three centuries of dominance when its capital fell to a coalition of invaders.
What is the Assyrian Empire?
This prophet lived during the final days of the Davidic dynasty, and warned Judah's kings about God's impending judgment.
Who is Jeremiah?
This naval vessel helped Greece defeat Persia at Salamis in 480 BC.
What is a trireme?
This empire became the largest of the ancient world, spanning three continents under Darius the Great.
What is the Persian Empire?
These transalpine invaders threatened Rome and northern Italy.
Who are the Celts?
This Near Eastern culture was preserved and spread by Carthage.
What is Punic (Phoenician) culture?
This battle, fought in 490 BC, marked the beginning of Greek resistance against the Persian Empire.
What is Marathon?
This Greek historian provides the main account of the Persian Wars.
Who is Herodotus?
This Spartan king died defending Greece at Thermopylae in 480 BC.
Who is Leonidas?
This river marked the eastern boundary of Persian (and later Macedonian) expansion into Asia.
What is the Indus River?
These annually elected officials replaced kings in Rome.
What are consuls?
This Greek lawgiver created harsh written laws.
Who is Draco?
In 559 BC, this Achaemenid ruler began his reign, eventually building one of the largest empires in the ancient world.
Who is Cyrus the Great?
This Athenian reformer attempted to reduce debt and social conflict.
Who is Solon?
This defensive alliance, spearheaded by Athens and Sparta, united Greek city-states against Persia.
What is the Hellenic League?
**Daily Double**
These officials governed provinces of the Persian Empire and were responsible for collecting taxes and maintaining order.
What are satraps?
This final Roman king was overthrown at the end of the 6th century BC, ending monarchy and ushering in the Roman Republic.
Who is Tarquinus Superbus?
This coalition of powers, once subjects of Assyria, destroyed Nineveh in 612 BC.
Who are the Medes and Babylonians?
This year marks the Greek victories at Plataea and Mycale, ending the Persian Wars.
What is 479 BC?
This king of Lydia, renowned for his wealth, was defeated by Cyrus the Great.
Who is Croesus?
Darius ordered the construction of a pontoon bridge at this location, marking Persian entry into Europe in 516 BC.
What is the Bosphorus?
This group of elite professional soldiers served directly under Persian kings.
Who are the Companions (the Immortals)?
This Roman hero single-handedly defended a vital bridge against invaders.
Who is Horatius Cocles?
This famous library at Nineveh preserved ancient Mesopotamian texts like the Epic of Gilgamesh.
What is the Library of Ashurbanipal?