Ancient Rome is established; the arts, science, and trade flourish.
Early Greek philosopher Anaximander of Miletus produces the first known world map, representing the Earth as a cylinder.
The Babylonians begin producing local maps carved into stone tablets, some of the earliest maps ever recorded.
Early Greek geographer Hecataeus of Miletus produces a world map, representing the Earth as a disc made up of two continents, surrounded by an ocean.
The Greek explorer Scylax voyages to the Mediterranean. The record of his journey becomes the basis for Medieval maps of the region.
Geographical writing begins in China: the ‘Book of Documents’ (also known as the ‘Shujing’ or ‘Shangshu’) describes the characteristics of China's nine provinces.
Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath Pythagoras hypothesises that the Earth is a sphere.
Greek historian and geographer Herodotus travels to Europe, Asia, and Libya. He documents his voyages in a manuscript account called the ‘Histories’.