Timeline 500 B.C. and 500 A.D.

500 B.C.

Institutions
- Rome creates the Office of Dictator.
- Carthage emerges as one of the richest and most powerful cities in the Mediterranean.
- The valley of Oaxaca grows rapidly into the major regional center.

Governance
- Cleisthenes starts what will become democracy in Athens.
- Confucius is appointed governor of Chung-tu.
- Cerro Narrio in Ecuador is a powerful center with extensive commercial work.

Commerce
- Trade items from Massilia a Greek colony on the Mediterranean travel up the Rhone Valley and were welcomed as prestige objects among the Northern Europeans.
- Carthaginian ships carry metals, oil, wine, grain and other products to points throughout the Western Mediterranean.

Technology
- Decoration of Lapita pottery ceases and Lapita cultures begin to diversify into recognizably Polynesian forms.
- Foreign craftsmen from Iran help construct Persepolis using architectural and artistic styles from Iranian, Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Lydian and Greek traditions to produce a distinctly Achaemend form of art.


500 A.D.

Institutions
- Semi-subterranean chambers (Kivas) are built in the American Southwest for ceremonial purposes.
- Nestorian Christians settle in large numbers in Eastern Mesopotamia.
- Shaft tombs at La Florida hold many burials and offerings.
- Center of Cahvachi in Nazca Valley, South America becomes a burial ground.

Governance
- Egyptian Sain Menas’ cult spreads throughout the Byzantine Empire.
- Africa is in the hands of the Vandal Rulers.

Commerce
- Gold objects and raw gold are traded for food and materials in South America.
- Gold working is fully established in Central America.

Technology
- Bow and arrow are used in Great Plains
- Stairs are put on all four sides of the pyramid, Tlachiualepetl for easier access in Mexico.

http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hm/05/hm05.htm