It's no accident that every breakup feels like the end of an era. Breakups have existed and persisted since the dawn of time-and, in fact, they lie at the core of watershed events throughout history and prehistory. Use this timeline to trace the evolution of the breakup and to find a larger historical context for the fall of your romantic empire.

 
FIRST UP: I. The Biggest Bang

I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII & IX | X | XI | XII

Big Bang

Geologic Ages

Near East

Classical Antiquity

Roman Empire

Middle Ages

Renaissance

The New World & Revolution

Europe

Industrial Revolution

Modern America