* 508 BC: The democratic Athenian constitution is established, marking a turning point in Greek history.
* 492-479 BC: The Persian Wars, in which Greek city-states defend themselves against the Persian Empire, ultimately leading to a victory for the Greeks.
* 480 BC: The Battle of Thermopylae, in which a small force of Greek soldiers holds off a massive Persian army for three days, giving the rest of Greece time to prepare for the Battle of Salamis.
* 480 BC: The Battle of Salamis, in which the Greek navy defeats the Persians, decisively ending the Persian threat.
* 479 BC: The Battle of Plataea, in which the Greek army defeats the Persians, bringing the Persian Wars to an end.
* 477-443 BC: The Age of Pericles, a period of great prosperity and cultural development in Athens.
* 447-438 BC: The Peloponnesian War, a conflict between Athens and Sparta that lasted for 27 years and ended with the defeat of Athens.
* 431 BC: The Plague of Athens, an epidemic that killed an estimated one-third of the population of Athens.
* 432-429 BC: The construction of the Parthenon, a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena on the Acropolis in Athens.
* 427 BC: The founding of the Academy in Athens by the philosopher Plato.
* 399 BC: The trial and death of Socrates, a philosopher who is accused of corrupting the youth and sentenced to death.
* 338 BC: The Battle of Chaeronea, in which the Greek city-states are defeated by the Macedonian king Philip II, marking the end of the Greek classical age.