Historical Studies

Historical Periods

Twenty-five connected periods carry the historical sequence from primeval history through AD 400.

#PeriodBoundary
1Primeval HistoryCreation–Babel
2Patriarchal PeriodAbraham–Joseph
3Egyptian Sojourn, Exodus, Sinai, and WildernessIsrael in Egypt–death of Moses
4Entry, Conquest, and SettlementJoshua–initial tribal settlement
5Judges and Tribal ConfederationAfter Joshua–Samuel's judgeship
6Samuel, Saul, and Rise of MonarchySamuel–Saul's death
7Davidic MonarchyDavid's accession–death
8Solomon, Temple, and United KingdomSolomon's accession–kingdom division
9Early Divided KingdomsDivision–c. 745 BC
10Assyrian Ascendancy and Fall of Samariac. 745–c. 640 BC
11Judah Alone and Babylonian Ascendancyc. 640–586 BC
12Babylonian Exile586–539 BC
13Persian Rule, Return, and Second Temple Restoration539–332 BC
14Hellenistic and Seleucid Crisis332–167 BC
15Maccabean and Hasmonean Rule167–63 BC
16Roman and Herodian Rule; Life and Ministry of Jesus63 BC–AD 30/33
17Apostolic Church and Mission Before the Jewish WarAD 30/33–66
18Jewish War, Temple Destruction, and Later Apostolic TransitionAD 66–100
19Apostolic Fathers and Post-Apostolic ExpansionAD 100–150
20Apologists, Martyr Churches, and Second-Century ConsolidationAD 150–193
21Severan Age and Third-Century Church DevelopmentAD 193–249
22Decian and Valerian Persecutions; RecoveryAD 249–284
23Great Persecution to Constantinian SettlementAD 284–324
24Nicene and Constantinian ChurchAD 325–337
25Post-Nicene Controversies to AD 400AD 337–400
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