4000 B.C
First traces of a settlement in Delphi at the site where the shrine of Athena Pronaia was build later.

1500 B.C.
First provable worshipping of the earth goddess Gaia in Delphi. First prophecies are made by reading water currents and the rustling of leaves. The dragon Python is said to protect the oracle.

1200 B.C.
Apollo takes hold of the shrine. He drives out the earth goddess Gaia and kills Python.

800 B.C.
The Apollo oracle in Delphi reaches high significance in the life of the Greek "nation" and becomes the centre of "Pan-Hellenism". The Greek tribes and cities consult the oracle before all important undertakings (i.e. war, founding of colonies)

600 B.C.
At the instigation of the Athenian family Alkmenoid, the burnt-down Temple of Apollo is rebuilt.

600 - 590 B.C.
First Holy War. The war results in the Delphic inhabitants´ rebellion against the predominance of the neighbouring city of Krisa, the main place of Phokis, which exerted a kind of protectorate over the shrine. With the Athenians´, Thessalians´ and others´ help; the Delphic residents win against Krisa. From that time on, Delphi is formally administered by an "Entire Greek Council".

582 B.C.
The Pythian Games reach their final form.
They are held every four years.

560 B.C. approx.
Building of Sikyon´s treasure house.

548 B.C.
Apollo Temple in Delphi is destroyed through fire.

525 B.C. approx.
Building of treasure house of Siphnos.

518 B.C.
Birth of Pindar, whose religious poetry is strongly influenced by Delphi, who celebrates many winners of the Pythian Games in his Ephiniks.

490 B.C.
Battle of Marathon. The Greeks win over the Persians and thereby foil their attempt to subjugate Greece.

490 - 485 B.C.
With the booty of their victorious war against Persia, the Athenians build their treasure house in Delphi.

480 B.C.
Battle of Salamis. The Greek scatter the Persian fleet and force Xerxes to retreat.
Falling boulders destroy Athena Pronay temple in Delphi.

448 B.C.
Second Holy War. Delphi´s inhabitants revolt against the Athenians´ and Pericles´ decision to return the shrine to the Phokers. With the help of Sparta Delphi regains its independence.

431 B.C.
Breaking out of the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta.

418 B.C.
Pindar´s death.

405 B.C.
With the Battle of Aigospotamoi the Peloponnesus War ends. Predominance of Sparta in Greece.

400 B.C.
Building of the gymnasium and theatre in Delphi.

373 B.C.
An earthquake destroys the Apollonian Temple in Delphi.

370 B.C.
Beginning of the reconstruction of the new Apollonian Temple.

356 B.C.
Alexander the Great is born.

356 - 346 B.C.
Third Holy War. The Phokers, supported by Athens and Sparta, try to snatch Delphi´s Shrine away from Theben. Philip II of Macedonia intervenes in the battle on Theben´s side and gets both Phokerian votes in the Amphicktyonian Council.

340 - 338 B.C.
Fourth Holy War. Macedonia finally gains predominance in Greece. The war is triggered off by Amphissa´s intention to cultivate the plain of Krisa, which was to be left untilled. Philip II destroys Amphissa and beats Athens and its allies decisively at Chaironeia.

340 B.C. approx.
The new Apollonian Temple in Delphi is finished.

336 B.C.
Philip II dies. Alexander the Great is his successor.

323 B.C.
Alexander the Great dies.

279 B.C.
Aetolia and the Phokers rescue the Delphic Shrine from the Gauls under Brennus.

190 B.C. approx.
The Aetolian alliance loses control over the Shrine and the Oracle to the Romans, who beat Antiochos II of Syria at Magnesia.

168 B.C.
Battle at Pydna. Perseus, king of Macedonia, is beaten decisively by the Romans. The region becomes a Roman province. The eastern Mediterranean region is annexed by the Roman empire.

86 B.C.
During the war against Milthidates, Sulla confiscates all the Shrine´s valuable oblations.

87 B.C.
Emperor Domitian restores the Apollonian Temple.

180
Pausanius, one of the first "travel authors", describes the shrine's magnificence in quite a detailed fashion.

200
The Delphic Shrine reaches a new heyday under Hadrian and his successors.

392
Theodosius, Emperor of Byzantium and Rome, declares Christianity state religion. Pagan cults are forbidden.

394
The Delphic Shrine is closed.

398
Demolition of Apollonian Oracle-Temple through Arkadios, son of Theodosius.

After the ban, forgotten for 1,600 years!