Athens through the ages

Selected events in the history of Athens

Selected events in the history of Athens:

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* Fifth-fourth centuries BC: "Golden Age" of Athens in antiquity led by figures such as PericlesPericles, Socrates, Plato and Aristophanes.

* Byzantine Empire, fourth century to mid-15th century: Athens' influence wanes and shrinks to size of small town. Constantinople, now Istanbul, emerges as centre of Greek-speaking world.

* 1832: Greece wins independence from Ottoman Empire after more than decade-long fight. Athens eventually named capital.

* 1896: Athens hosts first modern Olympiad.

* 1921-23: Greeks invade Asia Minor, but badly defeated. Huge refugee flow to Athens. Population exchange between Greece and Turkey relocates more than 2.3 million people. Athens population swells.

* World War II: Much of Greece, including Athens, occupied by Germany and its allies.

* 1946-49: Civil war around country between communist sympathizers and nationalists.

* 1950s-60s: Poor economic conditions force many Greeks to seek work in Athens. Population reaches more than 3 million.

* 1981: Greece joins group that's forerunner to European Union.

* 1990: Athens loses bid to host centennial Olympics, which go to Atlanta.

* 1997: Athens wins bid to host 2004 Olympics.

* September 1999: 5.9-magnitude earthquake kills 143 people and leaves hundreds of buildings badly damaged in Athens.

* January 2000: Athens subway debuts.

* March 2001: New Athens international airport opens.

* July 2004: New tram line goes into service.

* August 13-29: Olympics return to Athens.