2nd Millenium BC: The Athenians claimed that they were born from the ground, and that, unlike others (e.g. Spartans), they were not immigrants into their own land. In reality Greek speaking invaders populated Attica probably in the beginning of the 2nd Millenium BC:
The Athenians are mentioned in Epic poetry as participants to the Trojan War

1st Millenium BC: According to orally transmitted historical memory, Athens was initially a monarchy. Later, however, the monarchy was weakened, and a second magistrate called Polemarch (Warlord) shared with the king (basileus) the supreme authority in the state. As the years went by a third magistrate called Archon (leader) was added to supervise the increasingly more complex internal and social affairs of the state. Then more magistrates were added, and eventually Athens ended up being run by an aristocracy of birth and wealth.

621 BC: Laws of Drakon
A strict lawgiver, the first ever in Athens, introduces a set of laws intended to curb the abuse of power by the aristocracy, and bring order into a chaotic state.
594 BC: Laws of Solon
Extensive social legislation is introduced intended to soften socio-economic tensions
509-8: The moderate Democracy
Kleisthenes introduces a moderate democracy
490: Battle of Marathon
The Athenians almost single handedly repel a dangerous attack by an invading Persian force
480: A massive invading force from Persia burns the city to the ground, but the Athenians defeat the Persians at sea (Salamis), and finally repel the invader and rebuild the city, better and bigger.
478: Delian League - Athenian Empire: the high point of Athens
The Athenians organize a league intended to guard against another Persian invasion. As time goes by the league evolves into a naval empire with Athens as its center. The city of Athens reaches the height of its glory and power, and changes human civilization for ever. Reason is discovered. Magnificent buildings are founded, and arts and sciences reach an unprecedented level of development.
431-404: The Peloponnesian War
415-13: The Sicilian Expedition
The Athenian dream to acquire a vast maritime empire fails catastrophically
404: Athens is defeated by Sparta and surrenders unconditionally, but it soon recovers.
In the coming years Athens is politically weaker, but economically strong.
Rhetoric, philosophy and historiography flourish.
336: Battle of Chaironeia
Philip II defeats the Athenians, and virtually ends the city-state as an institution.
Half-heartedly the Athenians support Alexander's campaign in Persia
After Alexander's death Athens is caught in the struggle of the Diadochoi for supremacy.
228: Athens becomes independent again
87/6: Sulla ends Athenian independence and the city becomes a Roman province. It maintains its role as a cultural center in the coming centuries.
Byzantine Athens was a fairly small center in the empire. Many churches were built, and scholarly activity continued, albeit at a reduced level.
1458: Ottman conquest of Athens
Athens becomes part of the Ottoman empire. During that period it remains a small center.
1821-31: Greek War of Independence
The Greeks revolt and with western help establish a small independent state with Nafplion as its first capital in 1831.
1834: Athens becomes capital
In the coming years Athens will firmly establish itself as the heart of the new state, and the Metropolis of the Greek Nation. Literature flourishes again, impressive buildings adorn the city, and Athens acquires new life.
1896: The first Olympic Games
1912-22: Expansion of the Greek State, World War I
Mesopolemos: Midwar Athens grows into a large urban and industrial center
1940-45: World war II, German occupation of Athens
1945: The battle for Athens inaugurates the Cold War, and keeps Greece into the Western Block
Post-war Athens experiences an uncontrolled urban explosion, which results in economic growth, but also pollution and crime, realities which shock the Greek world and lead into a massive effort to make the city a cleaner, better place. Along with economic growth came cultural vigour. Literature and the arts flourish in post-war Athens. The city is leading the nation into the 21st century, into a European future which appears to be vigorous and promising.
2004: Athens will be the first city to host the Olympic games on European soil, since the unification of Europe (1992). Thus the 2004 games do not only have national significance for the Greeks, but also a strong European dimension.