A journey through 100,000 years of humanity's spiritual awakening—from the first burials to the modern interfaith movement.
First organized religious system with written records in Mesopotamia.
First written religious texts appear in cuneiform. Temple worship and priesthood established. Gods like Anu, Enlil, and Inanna are worshipped.
Unification of Egypt brings together regional religious practices.
Unification of Egypt. Gods like Ra, Osiris, and Horus become central to Egyptian life. Pharaoh is considered divine.
Traditional date of Abraham, patriarch of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Traditional date of Abraham, father of monotheism. The covenant with God initiates Jewish history and establishes the Promised Land.
The Rigveda and other Vedic texts are composed, forming the foundation of Hinduism. Sacred hymns to Agni, Indra, and other deities.
Composition of the Rigveda, foundation of Hindu religious thought.
Moses receives the Torah on Mount Sinai. The Ten Commandments are given. The Exodus from Egypt shapes Jewish identity.
The prophet Zarathustra teaches monotheism and ethical dualism in ancient Persia. Ahura Mazda versus Angra Mainyu; truth versus lie.
Traditional date of Exodus and revelation at Mount Sinai.
Philosophical texts exploring Brahman (ultimate reality), Atman (self), and the nature of existence. Foundation of Hindu philosophy.
Possible date of Zoroaster; first ethical monotheism takes shape.
Birth of Confucius, whose teachings would shape East Asian civilization.
Kong Qiu (Confucius) is born in the state of Lu. His teachings on ethics, family, and social harmony will shape East Asian civilization.
After years of seeking, Siddhartha Gautama awakens under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. He becomes the Buddha and begins teaching the Dharma.
The foundational text of Taoism, attributed to Laozi, teaches living in harmony with the Tao through wu-wei (effortless action).
Siddhartha Gautama becomes the Buddha under the Bodhi tree.
Ministry, death, and reported resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
Jesus is crucified in Jerusalem under Pontius Pilate. Christians believe he rose from the dead, offering salvation to humanity.
The Prophet Muhammad receives the first verses of the Quran.
In the cave of Hira, the angel Jibril (Gabriel) reveals the first verses of the Quran to Muhammad: "Read in the name of your Lord."
The founder of Sikhism is born in Punjab. After a mystical experience, he teaches: "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim"—only devotees of one God.
Guru Nanak develops teachings that will become Sikhism.
Bahá'u'lláh declares his mission, founding the Bahá'í Faith.
In the Garden of Ridván near Baghdad, Bahá'u'lláh declares himself the one prophesied by the Báb—the promised messenger of all religions.