A Chronology of World History

A chronological account from Creation to the present day, presented from a traditional Orthodox Christian understanding, incorporating Scriptural, Patristic, and historical sources, and acknowledging the ongoing spiritual context of world events.

Please Note: This timeline is a layman's personal compilation. Many dates are approximate. This work is offered as a study, not as a definitive or canonical statement of the Church.

  • Creation of the World and Fall of Adam and Eve

    AM 15509 BC

    Byzantine Creation Era begins; God creates the cosmos and mankind; Adam and Eve transgress God's commandment and are expelled from Paradise.

  • Birth of Seth

    AM 2305279 BC

    Adam was 230 years old when Seth was born (Gen 5:3, LXX).

  • Birth of Enosh

    AM 4355074 BC

    Seth was 205 years old when Enosh was born (LXX); "Then began men to call upon the name of the LORD God" (Gen 4:26, LXX).

  • Birth of Kenan

    AM 6254884 BC

    Enosh was 190 years old when Kenan was born (LXX).

  • Birth of Mahalalel (Maleleel)

    AM 7954714 BC

    Kenan was 170 years old when Mahalalel was born (LXX).

  • Birth of Jared

    AM 9604549 BC

    Mahalalel was 165 years old when Jared was born (LXX).

  • Birth of Righteous Enoch

    AM 11224387 BC

    Jared was 162 years old when Enoch was born (LXX); "And Enoch was well-pleasing to God, and was not found, because God translated him." (Gen 5:24, LXX). Translated after 365 years.

  • Birth of Methuselah

    AM 12874222 BC

    Righteous Enoch was 165 years old when Methuselah was born (LXX). Longest recorded lifespan.

  • Birth of Lamech

    AM 14744035 BC

    Methuselah was 187 years old when Lamech was born (LXX).

  • Birth of Righteous Noah

    AM 16623848 BC

    Lamech was 188 years old when Noah was born (LXX). "This one will cause us to cease from our work, and from the sorrow of our hands, and from the earth, which the Lord God has cursed." (Gen 5:29, LXX)

  • The Great Flood

    AM 2242~3268 BC

    In Noah’s 600th year; Lucianic LXX chronology. Divine judgment upon widespread human wickedness and cleansing of the earth.

  • Righteous Noah and family exit the Ark; Covenant of the Rainbow

    AM 2243~3267 BC

    God establishes His covenant with Noah and all creation, promising never again to destroy all flesh by a flood.

  • Tower of Babel; Confusion of Tongues and Dispersion of Peoples

    AM ~2342~3168 BC

    In the days of Peleg (Gen 10:25); humanity's prideful attempt to build a tower to heaven results in the confusion of tongues and the scattering of peoples across the earth.

  • Emergence of Post-Diluvian Civilizations

    AM ~2400+~3100+ BC

    Descendants of Noah's sons establish early settlements and civilizations in Mesopotamia (Sumer), Egypt (Early Dynastic), and elsewhere.

  • Early Dynastic Period in Egypt (Dynasties I-II)

    AM ~2400-2800~3100-2700 BC

    Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, development of hieroglyphic writing; a notable post-dispersion civilization.

  • Development of Early Writing Systems (Cuneiform, Hieroglyphs)

    AM ~2400-2600~3100-2900 BC

    Post-Babel development of distinct writing systems in Mesopotamia and Egypt, used for administration and early pagan religious texts.

  • Old Kingdom of Egypt (Dynasties III-VI); Era of Pyramid Construction

    AM ~2800-3300~2700-2200 BC

    Period of great pyramid construction (e.g., Djoser's Step Pyramid, Giza Pyramids), centralized pharaonic power, flourishing of Heliopolitan paganism.

  • Rise of Akkadian Empire under Sargon of Akkad

    AM ~3150~2350 BC

    Early Mesopotamian empire, demonstrating consolidation of power post-dispersion.