TIMELINE of Major People

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MAJOR ONLY: WORLD | RELIGIOUS | PEOPLE | ALL

MINOR & MAJOR: WORLD | RELIGIOUS | PEOPLE | ALL

B.C. | A.D. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st

Major People

AdamAccording to Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures, Adam was the first human being created by God out of the dust of the earth as the last step of c... more

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EveAccording to Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures, all humans descended from Eve after she disobeyed God and partook of a forbidden fruit, causing ... more

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c. 1800 B.C.

AbrahamAbraham (c. 1800 B.C.) The founding figure of the world’s three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He is the first person in ... more

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Died c. 1400 B.C.

Moses(Died c. 1400 B.C.) Moses was a Hebrew prophet who led his people out of slavery in Egypt. He instituted the Mosaic Law consisting of both ritual and ... more

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c. 1000 B.C.

David(c. 1000 B.C.) David is known for killing the giant Goliath when he was a young shepherd and later when he was king of Israel expanding the territory ... more

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c. 615–515 B.C.

Daniel the Prophet(c. 615–515 B.C.) An Old Testament prophet known for surviving being thrown into a den of lions and for interpreting dreams. His prophetic writings ... more

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c. 427–348 B.C.

Plato(c. 427–348 B.C.) Greek philosopher, Socrates’s student, Aristotle’s teacher, and founder of the only rigorously non materialist philosophical t... more

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384 B.C.–322 B.C.

AristotleAristotle (384–322 B.C.) was a greek philosopher, founder of the sciences of logic, physics, and biology, whose writings were a major conceptual res... more

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356–323 B.C.

Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great (356–323 B.C.) was King of Macedon and went on to create one of the largest empires of the ancient world by the time he was thir... more

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c. 20 B.C.–A.D. 50

Philo(c. 20 B.C.–A.D. 50) Jewish philosopher and exegete who used an allegorical method to interpret the scriptures that was influential on ancient Chris... more of Alexandria

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born c. 18 B.C.

MaryMary (born c. 18 B.C.) was a Galilean Jewish woman and mother of Jesus. Christians believe that Jesus was conceived miraculously through the Holy Spir... more

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c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 30-33

Jesus(c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 30-33) Also known as Jesus of Nazareth, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and Savior of the World. He is the founding figure of Christianit... more

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c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 39

HerodHerod Antipater (c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 39) ruled over Galilee and Perea, the regions of Judea where Jesus was most active in his ministry. Herod imprisoned... more Antipater

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c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 64

Paul(c. 4 B.C.–A.D. 64) Apostle and early Christian missionary, whose letters are the earliest documents contained in the New Testament and thus the fir... more

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c. A.D. 1–65

PeterPeter (c. A.D. 1–65) was a Jewish fisherman, chosen by Jesus to be one of his 12 Apostles. Peter was a critical witness to many events in Jesus’ l... more the Apostle

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1st CENTURY

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c. A.D. 6–100

JohnJohn (c. A.D. 6–100) was a Jewish fisherman, chosen by Jesus to be one of his 12 Apostles, and appears to have developed an especially close bond wi... more the Apostle

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A.D. 15 Dec 37–9 Jun 68

Nero(A.D. 15 Dec 37–9 Jun 68) Nero was the first Roman emperor to deliberately persecute Christians beginning in AD 64 after the great fire in Rome. It ... more

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c. A.D. 35–99

Clement of Rome(c. A.D. 35–99) He was bishop of Rome from around AD 88 to his death in AD 99. His is one of the few Church fathers who lived during the time of the... more

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A.D. 37–c. A.D. 100

JosephusTitus Flavius Josephus (A.D. 37–c. 100) was a Roman-Jewish scholar and historian whose work focused on Jewish history. He was from an elite family a... more

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2nd CENTURY

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c. A.D. 100–165

Justin Martyr(c.A.D 100–165) Born in Palestine early in the 2nd century, Justin was educated as a philosopher and converted to Christianity, retaining many of hi... more

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fl. early 2nd century

Marcion(A.D. 144) Marcion excommunicated in Rome.

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fl. 2nd century

Montanus(fl. 2nd century) Founder of a “New Prophecy” in Phrygia (in modern Turkey), which advocated stricter moral discipline—for example, no remarriag... more

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c. A.D. 120–200

Irenaeus(c. A.D. 120–200) Bishop of Lyon, the most important Christian theologian of the 2nd century; author of a large work, Against Heresies.

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c. A.D. 160–225

Tertullian(c. A.D. 160–225) North African priest and theologian, the first major Latin Christian author. Despite the large number of his writings that have su... more

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c. A.D. 185–254

Origen(c. A.D. 185–254) Alexandrian theologian famous for his commentaries and homilies on the scriptures, which established a long-lasting tradition of C... more

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3rd CENTURY

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A.D. 210–14 Sep 258

Cyprian(A.D. 210–14 Sep 258) Bishop of Carthage between 248 and 258 who sparked a controversy when he fled during the Emperor Decian persecution and then l... more

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c. A.D. 215

Sabellius(c. A.D. 215) He was an early Christian theologian who taught that God is indivisible so the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are simply different manifest... more

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c. A.D. 256–336

Arius(c. 256-336) Alexandrian presbyter whose teaching on the Trinity was condemned at the Council of Nicaea A.D. 325. (See Arianism and Arian Controversy.... more

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A.D. 263–May 339

Eusebius of Caesarea(A.D. 263–May 339) Eusebius became bishop of Caesarea around A.D. 314 and became one of early Christianity’s foremost scholars, apologist, and His... more

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c. A.D. 272–337

ConstantineConstantine I (c. A.D. 272–337) was a Western Roman Emperor who, after a series of civil wars, became emperor of the entire Roman Empire. He strengt... more

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c. A.D. 280–355

Donatus(c. A.D. 280–355) Magnus Donatus was the leader of a movement in North Africa that believed clergy who had fallen away needed to be rebaptized in or... more

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c. A.D. 293–373

Athanasius(c. A.D. 296–373) Athanasius was a Bishop of Alexandria and was a leading proponent of orthodox trinitarianism in opposition to Arianism. His positi... more

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4th CENTURY

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c. A.D. 330–390

Gregory of Naziansen(c. A.D. 330–390) Sometimes known as Gregory of Naziansen, one of the Cappadocian Fathers. Among the Eastern Orthodox he is called “Saint Gregory ... more

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c. A.D. 330-379

Basil(c. A.D. 330-379) Older brother of Gregory of Nyssa and leader of the Cappadocian Fathers, who advocated a reformulation of Nicene theology that preva... more of Caesarea

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c. A.D. 340 – A.D. 397

AmbroseAurelius Ambrosius (c. A.D. 340–397) was Bishop of Milan, which had by then become the capital of the Western Roman Empire. He had government experi... more

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A.D. 27 Mar 347–30 Sep 420

Jerome(A.D. 27 Mar 347–30 Sep 420) Jerome was a Catholic theologian who is best known for his translation of most of the Bible into Latin. Known as the Vu... more

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A.D. 347–395

TheodosiusTheodosius (A.D. 347–395) was Roman Emperor from A.D. 379 until his death. He was the last emperor to rule over a united Roman Empire, his two sons ... more

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A.D. 354–430

Augustine(A.D. 354-430) Bishop of Hippo in North Africa, the most influential theologian of the West, known especially for his doctrine of grace, including rel... more

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c. A.D. 378–444

CyrilCyril of Alexandria (c. A.D. 378-444) Nestorius opponent, Bishop of Alexandria, dominant figure at the Council of Ephesus 431, known for his Christolo... more of Alexandria

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5th CENTURY

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fl. early 5th century

Nestorius(fl. early 5th century) Archbishop of Constantinople who denied that Mary was theotokos or Mother of God. His Christology was accused of splitting Chr... more

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A.D. 401–450

Theodosius IITheodosius II (A.D. 401–450) was an Eastern Roman Emperor, and he best known for commissioning a compilation of the laws in a single code, primarily... more

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fl. 410–420

Pelagius(fl. A.D. 410–420) British monk, spiritual advisor, and theologian whose teaching gave rise to Pelagianism, the view against which Augustine’s doc... more

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Died A.D. 10 Nov 461

Leo the Great(Died A.D. 10 Nov 461) Leo I became pope in A.D. 440 and was instrumental in establishing the duel nature of Christ through the “Tome of Leo” as t... more

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c. A.D. 466–511

ClovisClovis I (c. A.D. 466–511) was a Frankish chieftain who united the Frankish tribes under the rule of one king. He ensured his kingship descended to ... more

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A.D. 477–524

BoethiusAnicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (A.D. 477–524) was a Roman statesman and theologian who came into public service under the Ostrogothic King Theod... more

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c. A.D. 2 Mar 480–21 Mar 547

Benedict(c. A.D. 2 Mar 480–21 Mar 547) also known as Saint Benedict of Nurcia. He is credited with founding modern monasticism through his written rule for ... more

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c. A.D. 482–565

JustinianJustinian I (c. A.D. 482–565) was an Eastern Roman Emperor who sought to reunite the Empire after the collapse of the West. He also had Hagia Sophia... more

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fl. c. 500

Dionysius(fl. c. A.D. 500) Pseudo Dionysius Christian neo-Platonist theologian, in the west called Saint Denys (or Denis), and by modern scholars labeled Pseud... more

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6th CENTURY

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c. A.D. 570–632

MuhammadMuhammad ibn Abdullah (c. A.D. 570–632) founded the Islamic faith, based on the Quran and the belief that he was the final prophet sent by God to co... more

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7th CENTURY

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died A.D. 12 Mar 604

Gregory the Great(died A.D. 12 Mar 604) Gregory I became pope in 590 and earned the designation “great” due to his insistence of the authority of the papacy and th... more

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c. A.D. 688–741

Charles MartelCharles Martel (c. A.D. 688–741) became the power behind the throne of the Merovingian dynasty. He saved western Christianity by defeating Islamic i... more

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8th CENTURY

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c. A.D. 742–814

CharlemagneCharlemagne (c. A.D. 742–814) was the eldest son of Pepin, who became sole ruler of the Franks upon the death of his younger brother Carloman. Charl... more

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9th CENTURY

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c. A.D. 847–899

Alfred the GreatAlfred the Great (c. A.D. 847–899) was King of Wessex who, in the face of Viking invasions of the British Isles, became the first King of the Anglo-... more

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10th CENTURY

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11th CENTURY

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c. A.D. 1033–1109

Anselm(c. 1033–1109 A.D.) Monk, then abbot of Bec in Normandy, then archbishop of Canterbury (1093–1109); the first great medieval theologian of the Wes... more

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A.D. 1079 – A.D. 1142

AbelardPeter Abelard (A.D. 1079–1142) was a preeminent logician and theologian who firmly fixed the tradition of scholasticism, the attempt to provide a fo... more

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A.D. 1090–A.D. 1153

Bernard of ClairvauxBernard of Clairvaux (A.D. 1090–1153) reformed Medieval monasticism, forming the Cistercian Order. He was critical in establishing Innocent II as po... more

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c. A.D. 1096–1160

Peter LombardPeter Lombard (c. A.D. 1096–1160) was a prominent theologian who briefly became Bishop of Paris before his death. Lombard’s magnum opus, Four Book... more

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12th CENTURY

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A.D. 1126 – A.D. 1198

AverroesAverroes (A.D. 1126–1198) was a Muslim Andalusian scholar and thinker on numerous topics during the Islamic Golden Age. Although his influence in th... more

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c. A.D. 1181–1226

Francis of AssisiFrancis of Assisi (c. A.D. 1181–1226) was born to a wealthy Italian merchant and French noblewoman. Francis’s youth was typical for his time and c... more

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13th CENTURY

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c. A.D. 1225-1274

Thomas Aquinas(c. A.D. 1225-1274) Dominican friar, teacher at the University of Paris, central figure of medieval scholasticism, and the most authoritative theologi... more

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A.D. 1265-1321

DanteDante Alighieri (A.D. 1265-1321) was the Italian poet and author of the Divine Comedy, an epic poem in which Dante portrays himself journeying through... more Alighieri

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c. A.D. 1266–1308

Duns ScotusJohn Duns Scotus (c. A.D. 1266–1308) was a Scottish theologian and scholastic who is considered one of the most important theologians of the Middle ... more

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A.D. 1296–1359

Gregory Palamas(A.D. 1296–1359) Byzantine theologian, known for his articulation of characteristic Eastern Orthodox doctrines, especially the distinction between t... more

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14th CENTURY

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A.D. 20 Jul 1304–19 Jul 1374

Francesco Petrarca

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A.D. 1330/31–Dec 1384

John Wycliffe(A.D. 1330–31 Dec 1384) John Wycliffe (Wyckuffe) is regarded as the first Christian Reformer. He was instrumental in translating the Bible into Old ... more

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A.D. 1369–6 July 1415

John Huss(A.D. 1369–6 July 1415) Jan Hus, also known as Iohannes Hus and Johannes Huss was a Czech theologian, philosopher, scholar, and religious leader is ... more

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15th CENTURY

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A.D. 1 Jan 1431–8 Aug 1503

Alexander VI(A.D. 1 Jan 1431–8 Aug 1503) Born Roderic Borgia and became pope on August 11, 1492. Considered one of the most corrupt popes for nepotism and fathe... more

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A.D. 28 Dec 1466–12 Jul 1536

Desiderius Erasmus(A.D. 28 Dec 1466–12 Jul 1536) Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus is often referred to as the Prince of the Humanists. He was renowned as the greatest s... more

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A.D. 1469–1492

MediciLorenzo de Medici (A.D. 1469–1492) was an Italian banker and statesman in the Republic of Florence. He became the de facto ruler of Florence and use... more

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A.D. 1473–1543

CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus (A.D. 1473–1543) was a Polish Renaissance-era mathematician and astronomer who made an early contribution to the Scientific Revo... more

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A.D. 1483–1546

Martin Luther(A.D. 1483–1546) German theologian, pastor, professor at the University of Wittenberg, ex-monk, and founding figure of Protestantism. He was known f... more

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A.D. 1484–1531

Ulrich ZwingliUlrich Zwingli (or Huldrych) (A.D. 1484–1531) Swiss pastor and theologian based in Zurich, a founding figure of the Reformed Protestant tradition, m... more

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A.D. 26 Jun 1491–28 Jan 1547

Henry VIII(A.D. 26 Jun 1491–28 Jan 1547) Henry VIII became King of England in 1509. Initially he rejected the Protestant reformation movement and earned the t... more

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A.D. 1496–1561

Menno Simons(A.D. 1496–1561) A former Catholic priest in Holland who became a leader in the Dutch and North German Anabaptist communities, which were later call... more

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16th CENTURY

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A.D. 1509–1564

John Calvin(A.D. 1509-1564) French Protestant theologian who lived most of his adult life in Geneva. He was the most influential figure in Reformed theology and ... more

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A.D. 1513–24 Nov 1572

John Knox(A.D. 1513–24 Nov 1572) Scottish minister who introduced Calvinist Reformed Protestant movement to Scotland, which became the Presbyterian Church.

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A.D. 1515–1582

Teresa of Avila(A.D. 1515–1582) Also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus; Spanish nun and mystical theologian known for her descriptions of the various levels of mystic... more

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A.D. 1516–1558

Mary TudorQueen Mary I (A.D. 1516–1558) was a Queen of England and Ireland, and daughter to King Henry VIII. During her reign, she violently sought to reverse... more

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A.D. 1533–1603

Queen ElizabethQueen Elizabeth I (A.D. 1533–1603) was Queen of England and Ireland and inherited a realm wracked with religious strife caused by her father, King H... more

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Died A.D. 31 Jul 1556

Ignatius of Loyola(Died A.D. 31 Jul 1556) Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish military officer who experienced a religious conversion while recovering from injuries. He fo... more

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c. A.D. 1560-1609

ArminiusJacobus Arminius (c. A.D. 1560-1609) Dutch pastor and originator of the form of Protestant theology rejected by the Calvinists at the Synod of Dordt a... more

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A.D. 1561–1626

Francis BaconFrance Bacon (A.D. 1561–1626) was an English philosopher and prominent statesman. He was later considered to have been the father of the scientific ... more

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A.D. 1596–1664

Moses(Died c. 1400 B.C.) Moses was a Hebrew prophet who led his people out of slavery in Egypt. He instituted the Mosaic Law consisting of both ritual and ... more AmyrautMoses Amyraut (A.D. 1596-1664) Also known by a Latinized version of his name, Amyraldus, was a French Protestant (a Huguenot) who advocated a modified... more

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A.D. 1599–1658

CromwellOliver Cromwell (A.D. 1599–1658) was an intensely religious Puritan and political leader of England. He fought for Parliament in the English Civil W... more

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17th CENTURY

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A.D. Jul 1624–13 Jan 1691

George Fox(A.D. Jul 1624–13 Jan 1691) Founder of the Religious Society of Friends, more commonly known as Quakers.

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A.D. 1635–1705

Philipp Jakob SpenerPhilip Jakob Spener (A.D. 1635–1705) German Lutheran pastor who became one of the founders of Pietism when, in 1675, he published Pia Desideria (“... more

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A.D. 1635–1705

Philipp Jakob Spenser

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18th CENTURY

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A.D. 1703–1758

Jonathan Edwards(A.D. 1703-1758) Puritan minister, Calvinist theologian, the first American theorist of revival, and leader of the Great Awakening in New England.

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A.D. 1703–1791

John Wesley(A.D. 1703–1791) Anglican priest, revival preacher and organizer, and together with his brother Charles, a founding figure of Methodism, whose theol... more

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A.D. 1712–1778

RousseauJean-Jacque Rousseau (A.D. 1712–1778) was a philosopher born in Geneva, Switzerland. He authored The Social Contract which became a cornerstone of m... more

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A.D. 16 Dec 1714–30 Sep 1770

George Whitefield(A.D. 16 Dec 1714–30 Sep 1770) George Whitefield was an ordained Anglican clergy who became one of the most popular Evangelist preachers during the ... more

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A.D. 1724–1804

Immanuel Kant(A.D. 1724–1804) German thinker generally recognized as the greatest philosopher of the modern period. He revolutionized modern epistemology with th... more

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A.D. 1768–1834

Friedrich Schleiermacher(A.D. 1768–1834) German theologian and philosopher, minister in the Reformed church, professor at the University of Berlin (A.D. 1811–1834), and f... more

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A.D. 1792–1878

Pius IX(A.D. 1792–1878) Also known by the Italian form of his name, “Pio Nono,” pope from 1846–1878, the longest reigning pope in history, who define... more

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19th CENTURY

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A.D. 28 Jul 1804–13 Sep 1872

Ludwig Angreas von Feuerbach(A.D. 28 Jul 1804–13 Sep 1872) Ludwig Andreas von Feuerbach was a German philosopher who is often referred to as the first master of suspicion who g... more

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A.D. 1805–1844

Joseph Smith(A.D. 1805–1844) Joseph Smith, Jr. was an American religious leader who published the Book of Mormon and founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latte... more

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A.D. 1809–1882

DarwinCharles Darwin (A.D. 1809–1882) was an English biologist who formulated a theory of evolution in which the struggle for survival served as a means o... more

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A.D. 1813–1855

Søren Kierkegaard(A.D. 1813–1855) Danish philosopher and theologian, critic of Hegelianism and modernist Christianity. Kierkegaard mocked the rationalist faith of En... more

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A.D. 1843–1921

C. I. ScofieldC. I. Scofield (A.D. 1843–1921) Minister, Bible teacher, Dispensationalist theologian, and editor of the Scofield Reference Bible, whose 2nd edition... more

A.D. 1843–1921 Minister, Bible teacher, Dispensationalist theologian, and editor of the ScofieldC. I. Scofield (A.D. 1843–1921) Minister, Bible teacher, Dispensationalist theologian, and editor of the Scofield Reference Bible, whose 2nd edition... more Reference Bible(A.D. 1917) Publication of the second edition of the Scofield Reference Bible(A.D. 1917) Publication of the second edition of the Scofield Reference Bible, which becomes the most important text for the Dispensationalist movemen... more, which becomes the most important text for the Dispensationalist movemen... more, whose 2nd edition (1917) is the most influential book in the Dispensationalist movement. Please share if you found this post informative.

A.D. 1886–1968

Karl BarthKarl Barth (A.D. 1886-1968) Swiss Reformed pastor and professor, founding figure of Neo Orthodoxy and probably the most influential Protestant theolog... more

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20th CENTURY

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A.D. 17 Nov 1918–21 Feb 2018

Billy Graham(A.D. 17 Nov 1918–21 Feb 2018) One of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th Century. He was an ordained Baptist minister who became ver... more

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born A.D. 9 April 1967

Sam Harris(born A.D. 9 April 1967) Samuel Benjamin Harris is a neuroscientist, author and prominent critic of religion. Harris published his first book, The End... more

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21st CENTURY

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