c. 445 B.C.: Architecture and art make Athens preeminent in the world and lead to the designation of the Golden Age of Greece.

Today: Greece remains a favorite tourist destination, as thousands of people journey each year to visit the Temple of Poseidon, Delphi, and the Parthenon, which was rebuilt after the Persians sacked Athens.

c. 445 B.C.: 25-35% of the population of Greece are slaves, many of whom work in the silver mines.

Today: Slavery has long since ended, but Greece is now dealing with severe poverty and a shrinking economic base.

c. 445 B.C.: The Greeks triumph over the Persians and stave off the invasion of their country.

Today: Greek politics has been preoccupied with military coups and conflict with neighboring Turkey since the end of World War II.

c. 445 B.C.: The Greek historian, Herodotus, provides some of the earliest and...