359 - 336 BCE- Philip II was a king of Macedonia, and father of famed conquerer Alexander the Great. Philip was an admirer of Greek culture and Greek military acumen. When Philip took control of Macedonia he began to build a large army in order to ensure the strength of the …

384 - 322 BCE- Aristotle was one of Plato's students, and remains one of the most important thinkers in Western Civilization to this day. Although Aristotle believed in universal forms, like Plato, Aristotle did not agree with Plato's idea of ideal forms. Aristotle believed that form and matter were inseparable and …

469 - 399 BCE- One of the most important and renowned Greek Philosophers, Socrates teachings and methods are preserved in Western Civilization to this day. Socrates believed that the goal of education was to improve the individual. His teaching method, known today as 'Socratic Method' involves leading students to understanding through …

525 - 456 BCE- The first known tragedian. Aeschylus wrote as many as ninety tragedies, or Greek Dramas. Though only seven survive to this day, much is known about them. Aeschylus' tragedies followed a similar format used in other Greek Tragedies. His stories tended to center around a single tragic event …

460- 400 BCE - Often considered the greatest historian of the ancient world, Thucydides' histories dealt with history on a basis of rationality and objectivity. Thucydides also valued accuracy and precision as paramount in his historical writing. For these reasons Thucydides histories remain invaluable to modern historians for understanding the ancient …

484- 425 BCE - Herodotus wrote what is often considered one of the first histories written in Western Civilization, History of the Persian Wars. He is often referred to as the "father of history" since his work is the earliest lengthly text to survive intact. Herodotus' central theme deals with the …