| Period or Event | Time-Frame | Overview |
| ~2500 BC | Mounds: Karadin, Çiçekli, Yügücek and Çakirca reveal Iznik’s history begins at ~2500 BC. | |
| Helikare | The settlement was known as Helikare before the arrival of Thracian immigrants. | |
| Thracian Immigration | 7th Cent BC | |
| Phrygian Renovation | 4th Cent BC | The settlement became known as Antigoneia following its renovation by the Phrygian Governor of the Macedonian Kingdom. |
| Lysimachus’ Capture | After 332 BC | After the death of Alexander the Great, Antigoneia was captured by Lysimachus, the ex-governor of Thrace, and its name was changed to Nicaea. The name Nicaea was ascribed to Lysimachus’ wife Nike. |
| Bithynian Capture | 293 BC | The Bythinian Kingdom annexed Nicaea. Great architecture arose in the city and it became home to a gold coin mint, thus earning it the nickname of Golden City. |
| Earthquake | 123 AD | An earthquake devastated Nicaea. |
| Roman Capture | The Romans battled the Bithynian Kingdom for many years before capturing the capital Nicaea and reconstructing it. The city at this point was surrounded by 4,970 kilometer city walls and had 4 main and 12 subordinate gates. | |
| Christianity | The Apostle St. Peter introduced Iznik to Christianity. Roman Emperor Constantine I abolished all prohibitions relating to Christianity. | |
| 1st Ecumenical Council | 325 AD | The 1st Ecumenical Council gathered in the palace at Iznik in the presence of Roman Emperor Constantine I. One of the subjects at hand was the debate between Alexandrian priest Arius’ thesis and that of the bishops. Arius held that Jesus Christ was not eternal and was subordinate to God the Gather. The bishops’ view was that Jesus Christ was one of substance with God the Father. After much debate the latter view was accepted and the Council formulated Nicene Creed and 20 canons as well as agreed on the date of Easter. |
| 7th Ecumenical Council | 787 AD | The 7th Ecumenical Council was held in the Asasofya Church at Iznik. |
| Prohibitions Lifted | 8th Cent AD | Empress Irene lifts prohibitions on paintings and statues. |
| Ottoman Capture | 1331 | The Ottomans commanded by Orhan Gazi captured Iznik and it became an art, ceramic, tile, trade and culture hub. The Ottoman Period’s first mosque, madrasa and soup kitchen were all constructed in Iznik in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. Famous Sufis including Davud-u Kayseri, Ebul Fadil Musa and Esrefoglu Abdullah Rumi lived in Iznik. |
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