My Cultural Timeline of the World continues:

350-1 BC

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

Temple of Apollo at Delphi

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).

Great Wall of China

For much of its length the wall measures 7.8 m (26 ft) high and 5 m (16 ft) wide with frequent watchtowers.

Watchtower

This marvel of engineering incorporates the existing topography to make the wall more formidable. *= UNESCO World Heritage Site

Great Wall

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),

Rows of Infantrymen

130 chariots (with horses) and 150 Cavalrymen with their horses.

Calvarymen w/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

Archer

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

Temple of the Sun, Teotihuacan

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.

Florence, Italy

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.

Herod’s Hanging Palace

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

Masada National Park

6 or 4 BC — Jesus of Nazareth is born (the date is disputed)