Africa 500 BCE
What else is happening in the rest of the world...
Oceania history 500BCE
The ancestors of the Polynesians have reached as far east as Fiji
South America history 500BCE
In the Amazon basin, the Arawak diaspora is in full flood
North America history 500BCE
The influence of the Olmec civilization now covers much of Central America
Europe history 500BCE
The Iron Age Celts and their relatives dominate much of Europe, whilst in the Mediterranean land a number of brilliant city-state civilizations, most notably the Greeks, now flourish
Greece and the Balkans history 500BCE
A great civilization has emerged in Greece, based on hundreds of small city-states
East Asia: China, Korea, Japan history 500CE
At this phase in its history China is weak and divided, but its influence continues to spread through ancient East Asia, in Korea, Japan and Vietnam
India and South Asia history 500BCE
The return of urban civilization to ancient India has been followed by a creative period in its history, with the great world religion of Buddhism being founded
Mexico and Central America history 500BCE
The Olmec civilization has expanded over a wide area
South East Asia history 500BCE
The Malays and Javanese now inhabit their modern homes, and the Iron Age has come to the region
Egypt history 500BCE
Its ancient glories now in the past, Egypt is now just another province within the Persian empire