The Whole of Human History

A timeline of the world, from 5500 BC to today. Travel through the great ages of history era by era — or step into the ancient civilizations that built the world we know.

5500 BC→

The record begins

Great eras

Civilizations

The Ages of History

Choose a period to explore

Five great spans of time, each a gateway to the events that shaped it.

5500 BC — Today

5500 BC – 0 BC Ancient HistoryThe first cities, empires and writing — from Sumer and Egypt to Greece and Rome. Explore → 0 AD – 1400 AD The Classical & Medieval WorldRome's height and fall, the rise of Islam, and the Middle Ages. Explore → 1400 – 1900 AD Exploration & EmpireThe Renaissance, the age of discovery, revolution and empire. Explore → The 20th Century The Modern AgeWorld wars, the atomic age, and a century of upheaval and progress. Explore → American History The American StoryFrom the first colonies to the present day. Explore →

The Ancient World

Explore an early civilization

Eighteen of the peoples and ages that laid the foundations of the modern world.

18 Civilizations

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Watch · 15 Minutes

A short history of the world through 1500 AD

A fifteen-minute video summary of world events from the ancient world to the dawn of the modern age.

Watch the overview →

From the makers of HistoryCentral

Explore our history apps

Take HistoryCentral with you. Our apps put world history and centuries of the human story in your pocket.

Browse the Apps →