My Cultural Timeline of the World continues:
350 BC — The Temple of Apollo at Delphi* is constructed. This temple housed the oracle which was so important at this time in history. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site
331 BC — Alexander the Great conquers Persia in the Battle of Guagamela
323 BC — Death of Alexander the Great at Babylon
312 BC — The necropolis of Petra* is fashioned out of sandstone in a region which is now a part of Jordan. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site
221 BC — Emperor Qin Shi Huang unites China and begins construction of the Great Wall of China*. The Wall has been expanded over the centuries and now measures 13, 171 miles (21,196 km).
For much of its length the wall measures 7.8 m (26 ft) high and 5 m (16 ft) wide with frequent watchtowers.
This marvel of engineering incorporates the existing topography to make the wall more formidable. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site
210 BC — Qin Shi Huang begins construction of his tomb in the Chinese capital of Xi’an, which contains an army of Terra Cotta Warriors* (to protect him in the afterlife). The project is thought to have involved 700,000 workers. This tomb was not discovered until 1974 and is still being excavated. Thus far there are three (3) pits, containing 8,000 soldiers (all different),
130 chariots (with horses) and 150 Cavalrymen with their horses.
Many of the figures were painted. The most well-preserved of these can be found in the Shaanxi Museum, in Xi’an. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site
206 BC — The Han Dynasty begins in China and trade begins with the West along the Silk Road.
149 BC — Rome conquers Greece
149-146 BC — The Third Punic War takes place. Rome defeats Carthage
130 BC — The Ajanta Caves* were hewn from stone near Aurangabad, India. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site
129 BC — Rome conquers Turkey
100 BC — The Aztecs begin construction of Teotihuacan*, a ceremonial city north of Mexico City. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site
80 BC — The city of Florence is founded. It will become one of the world’s most celebrated cities since the Renaissance (an explosion of artistic and literary genius) began here the 14th Century. See Florence’s major tourist attractions by following Gary’s Walking Tour of Florence, available for sale on the website for just $1.49.
49 BC — Roman Civil War between Julius Caesar and Pompey the Great
44 BC — Julius Caesar is murdered
40 BC — Rome conquers Egypt
31 BC — Herod the Great builds a castle above the Dead Sea in southern Israel.
The area is now known as Masada* and, later, was the site of a mass suicide when rebellious Jews were under siege from a Roman Army. It is now a national park. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site
6 or 4 BC — Jesus of Nazareth is born (the date is disputed)