Classical antiquity, also known as the classical era, classical period, classical age, or simply antiquity, is the period of cultural European history between the 8th century BC and the 5th century AD comprising the interwoven civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome known together as the Greco-Roman world, centered on the Mediterranean Basin. It is the period during which ancient Greece and ancient Rome flourished and had major influence throughout much of Europe, North Africa, and West Asia.
The Parthenon is one of the most recognizable symbols of the classical era, exemplifying ancient Greek culture.
The Colosseum, a prominent symbol of the Roman classical era and culture
The history of Europe is traditionally divided into four time periods: prehistoric Europe, classical antiquity, the Middle Ages, and the modern era.
The Late Pleistocene saw extinctions of numerous predominantly megafaunal species, coinciding in time with the early human migrations across continents.
Chauvet Cave painting, Aurignacian culture, France, c. 30,000 BC
Linear Pottery culture settlement, Germany, c. 4700 BC
Artefacts from the Varna necropolis, Bulgaria, c. 4500 BC