It didn’t start with Bella. Or Edward. Or even the Cullens. It began long before; in temples of ancient Egypt. In castles soaked with secrets, with vampires who ruled in silence and shadows. Bloodlines were built. Coven wars raged. And somewhere along the line, a quiet doctor named Carlisle made a choice that changed everything.
This isn’t just a love story. It’s a story of power, loyalty, and monsters who tried to be more. From the Volturi’s cold rule to a girl in Forks who flipped fate on its head, this timeline explains it all. Century by century. Secret by secret.
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Twilight Timeline Explained
Vampires. Werewolves. High school crushes. Sounds chaotic? It is. But it all fits. Stephenie Meyer's world isn't just fantasy. It's layered with history, rules, betrayals, and bonds that go deeper than blood.
This timeline is your map through the madness. No guesswork. No confusion. No rewinding. Just the big moments, sorted and simplified. Team Edward? Team Jacob? Or just totally lost? Don't worry; this guide gives you everything you need to follow the Twilight story.
The Dawn of Vampires (Before 2500 BC - 1000 BC)
Let's rewind to the origins - where it truly all began. In ancient Egypt and Greece, before the Volturi ruled, before Carlisle's quiet revolution, the vampire world was already forming. Power was built in secrecy, and every choice made then echoes into the present.
2500 BC: Amun and Kebi Form the Egyptian Coven
Among the oldest known vampires, Amun and Kebi are power players from the shadows. Hiding their powers from the world, they create a model for vampire survival: influence through discretion. They accumulate wealth, respect, and secrets; and set the stage for the vampire world to grow.
1350 BC: Marcus Is Born in Greece
Marcus is born human in ancient Greece; a land of gods and warriors. But his fate lies beyond mortality. When he's turned, his power to sense relationships makes him invaluable. He becomes one of the founders of the Volturi, bound by love to Didyme and loyalty to Aro. His journey begins quietly, but his presence will shake the foundations of power.
1300 BC: Caius Is Born
In a time of chaos and fear, Caius is born - and shaped by brutality. He hates weakness. He craves control. Once turned, he channels that drive into the Volturi, becoming its fiercest judge and enforcer. He doesn't just punish lawbreakers; he builds a world where fear maintains order.
1280 BC: Aro Is Born and Turned
Gifted with the ability to read a person's full thoughts by touch, Aro becomes a dangerous force. His desire isn't just for survival; it's for complete domination. Aro's mind is as sharp as his fangs, and with each calculated alliance or betrayal, he moves closer to the throne.
1270 BC: Aro Turns His Sister Didyme
Aro transforms his sister Didyme, hoping she'll strengthen his empire. Instead, she finds love with Marcus. Their union threatens Aro's grip on power. Her eventual death, likely orchestrated by Aro himself, leaves Marcus shattered - and Aro even more alone in his ambition.
1200-1100 BC: The Volturi Are Formed
With Aro's cunning, Marcus's emotional insight, and Caius's ruthlessness, the Volturi take shape. They begin to build a vampire society governed by strict laws, secret executions, and calculated expansion. They become the ruling class; enforcing peace at the cost of freedom.
1000 BC: Vladimir and Stefan Create the Romanian Coven
Far from Italy, Vladimir and Stefan create their own kingdom - one ruled by fear and fire. Their reign is legendary, their methods cruel. For centuries, they are the most powerful vampires on Earth. But such power always draws rivals.
Coven Wars and Rising Power (400 - 1000 AD)
The age of expansion begins. The Volturi move to destroy rival covens, crushing those who don't conform to their rule. Blood is spilled. Wars are waged. And vampire society is rewritten in smoke and silence.
400–500 AD: Volturi Defeat the Romanian Coven
The fall is swift and merciless. The Volturi destroy the Romanian empire, reducing centuries of dominance to ashes. Their victory marks a turning point; a new world where Aro and his brothers rule from behind veils of secrecy and law.
600 AD: Volturi War With the Egyptian Coven
The Volturi turn their attention to the Egyptian coven. Amun resists. War follows. Though the Egyptian coven survives, it is forced into the shadows. The Volturi emerge stronger, with fewer enemies and greater reach.
800 AD: Aro Turns Jane and Alec
Burned alive for their perceived witchcraft, twins Jane and Alec are saved by Aro - or cursed, depending on your view. He sees their potential and turns them before death claims them. Jane can inflict unbearable pain. Alec can rob all senses. Together, they become Aro's ultimate weapons - young, deadly, and terrifying.
New Forces Emerge (1000 - 1410 AD)
The Volturi dominate, but they aren't alone. Quiet resistance takes root. Shapeshifters awaken. Peaceful covens begin to form. The vampire world isn't as united as it appears.
1000 AD: The Denali Coven Is Formed
Tanya, Kate, and Irina form the Denali sisters; a coven committed to animal blood and peaceful living. They're pioneers of a new way of life, one later mirrored by the Cullens. The Denali become a powerful force for balance and morality in a dark world.
1250: Taha Aki Becomes the First Quileute Shapeshifter
Faced with supernatural threats, Quileute elder Taha Aki uses spiritual magic to separate his soul from his body and become the first shapeshifter. This power, passed through bloodlines, becomes the origin of the wolf warriors - eternal protectors of La Push.
1400s: Quileute Tribe Kills Its First Vampire
The wolves meet their purpose. When a vampire enters their land, the shapeshifters attack and destroy it. From that day forward, a sacred duty forms: to defend the land from vampires, no matter the cost.
Legacies in the Making (1550s - 1700s)
The future Cullens begin to take shape. Compassionate vampires emerge, alongside powerful enemies. The war between nature and nurture begins.
1550s: Victoria Is Born
Before she was a villain, Victoria was a survivor. Her childhood forged her into a cunning, instinct-driven force. Once turned, her instincts only sharpen. Later, she becomes a threat unlike any other - driven by vengeance and love.
1640: Carlisle Cullen Is Born
Born in London to a devout vampire-hunting pastor, Carlisle's early life is one of violence and faith. When bitten, he becomes the very thing his father hunted. But Carlisle is different; he fights his nature, choosing medicine, restraint, and peace over blood.
1663: Carlisle Is Turned
Wounded and alone, Carlisle survives his transformation by sheer willpower. He hides, learns, and evolves; rejecting the bloodlust that defines his kind. For centuries, he walks alone, dreaming of something more - a family of vampires who choose compassion.
1700s: Carmen and Eleazar Are Born
In Spain, Eleazar is turned and becomes one of the Volturi's enforcers. But his conscience doesn't fade. When he meets Carmen, everything changes. Together, they leave the Volturi and eventually join the Denali coven, choosing love and peace over fear and power.
War and Newborn Chaos (1780 - 1863)
The vampire world descends into chaos. Power shifts. Newborn armies rise. The Volturi tighten their grip. And one future Cullen learns the horrors of war firsthand.
1780: James Is Born
Even before his transformation, James has a taste for the hunt. His obsession with challenging prey defines him. He becomes a legendary tracker; and a deadly enemy to the Cullens.
1805: James Is Turned
Once a vampire, James becomes a predator unlike any other. His talent for tracking is unparalleled, and he turns the hunt into an art form. He's feared not for brute strength, but for the fact that he never fails.
1820s: Benito Creates the First Newborn Army
In Mexico, vampire Benito uncovers a dark truth - newborns are stronger. He builds an army of fresh vampires and unleashes war. The Volturi crush him quickly, but his idea lives on, influencing the violent future of vampire battles.
1844: Jasper Hale Is Born
In Texas, Jasper is a born leader. Charismatic and brave, he rises through the Confederate ranks. But his greatest war comes later — and it's one of blood, guilt, and survival.
1863: Jasper Is Turned by Maria
Maria, a vampire general, sees Jasper's potential and turns him during the height of the newborn wars. He becomes her right hand, leading battles and controlling chaos — but the emotional toll nearly destroys him. He feels every death. Every fear. And he carries the scars into the future.
The Cullen Origins (1895 - 1936)
This is the beginning of the Cullen family. One by one, Carlisle finds and saves them. Each carries a painful past. By 1936, they settled in Forks; making a fragile peace with the Quileute wolves.
1885: Esme Cullen is born
Esme arrived like a breath of fresh air; radiant, warm, and full of life. Her heart was a sanctuary even in hardship. Destined to care, to love fiercely, and hold broken souls together. Her gentle spirit became the heart that kept the Cullen family whole.
1901: Edward Cullen is born
Edward entered the world fragile, delicate, yet with strength hidden beneath. His mind was sharp, emotions deep - a puzzle wrapped in charm and mystery. Something set him apart, hinting at an extraordinary future.
1911: Carlisle and Esme meet
In a chance encounter, Carlisle and Esme crossed paths - two souls marked by pain and resilience. Where Carlisle carried the weight of his past, Esme offered light and hope. Together, they forged an unbreakable bond; a love defying time.
1915: Rosalie Hale and Emmett Cullen are born
Rosalie burst into the world with fire; beautiful, fierce, and unyielding. A force destined to fight for her place in a world that underestimated her. Emmett arrived with equal strength - a powerhouse of energy and loyalty, ready to stand beside his sister through every storm.
1917: Renee marries abusive Charlie
Renee's dreams darkened when she married Charlie - a man whose love was twisted by cruelty. It was a shadow over her world, but she endured, holding onto hope for a better tomorrow. Her silent strength shaped the future in unseen ways.
1918: Edward is turned by Carlisle
Edward's fragile humanity shattered and reforged in immortal fire. Carlisle's steady hand saved him from death. Edward emerged with new power and pain. The world transformed overnight; sharper, faster, colder - still haunted by the boy he once was.
1920: Alice is turned
Alice stepped into the night with a spark of light and mystery. Her gift; seeing the future - was both blessing and curse, setting her apart even among vampires. She danced through darkness, always chasing glimpses of what might come next.
1921: Edward separates from Carlisle briefly
Haunted by his nature and past, Edward drifted away from Carlisle. Isolation carved scars into his soul — a battle between loneliness and the yearning for connection. But even in the shadows, he couldn't escape the ties that bound him.
1933: Rosalie is turned
Rosalie's transformation was cursed and reborn. The world she knew was ripped away, replaced by immortal strength and aching emptiness. Her beauty became a shield for the pain beneath. She rose from ashes, fierce and untouchable.
1935: Emmett is turned
Emmett's new life ignited wild power. His strength became legendary, a pillar of protection. With vampire speed and loyalty, he embraced his role as warrior and family. Unstoppable; a force ready to defend at any cost.
1936: Cullens move to Forks, WA
The family found refuge in Forks' misty rain; a place as mysterious as they were. Here, they carved a new beginning, hidden but bound by blood and choice. Forks became home - a stage for stories yet untold.
Quiet Years, New Connections (1948 - 1990)
Alice and Jasper meet and join the Cullens in 1950. Charlie Swan, Bella's future dad, is born in 1964. Then Bella in 1987, Jacob in 1990. The new generation is coming, with big choices and a love triangle no one sees coming. These years are calm before the storm - players in place, the world about to shift.
1948: Alice and Jasper meet
In the war's chaos, two lost souls found each other; Alice, with visions of the future, and Jasper, haunted by past battles. Their connection was instant and electric. A bond forged in darkness and hope. Together, they became a team ready to face a world rarely giving second chances.
1950: Alice and Jasper join the Cullens
Alice and Jasper stepped into the family like puzzle pieces falling into place. Their unique gifts and bond brought new strength and balance. With them, the Cullens became more than immortals. A family forged by choice and love.
1964: Charlie Swan is born
A steady presence - Charlie Swan, future sheriff of Forks. Practical, loyal, grounded, he would become an anchor for a family torn between worlds. His quiet strength rippled through generations in ways no one predicted.
1986-1990: Leah, Sam, Jacob, Rachel, Rebecca are born
In La Push's forests, a new generation stirred Leah, fierce and determined; Sam, natural leader. Jacob, strong and spirited. Rachel and Rebecca, wild hearts tied to the pack. Born under ancient watchful eyes, destined to protect and fight for their land - and each other.
1987: Bella Swan is born
Bella entered with quiet intensity. She 2as ordinary yet carrying a destiny far from ordinary. Her curiosity and courage would soon draw her into shadows and light. The world was about to change around her; ready or not.
1988-1993: Bella and Renee move around
Bella's early years were a whirlwind; moving with her mother, Renee. Each town brought new faces and fleeting memories, shaping a girl craving stability but destined for chaos. Every step precluded the path ahead.
1990: Jacob Black and Bree Tanner are born
Two lives born in parallel shadows. One was Jacob, beacon of loyalty and strength, and Bree, fierce spark in the vampire world. Both would represent different sides of the immortal struggle, their fates intertwined. The stage was set for an epic collision.
The Story Begins (2003 - 2005)
The Cullens returned to Forks in 2003. Edward keeps a low profile - until Bella walks in. By 2005, she's drawn into their world. Danger follows, from James to Victoria, and the treaty with wolves begins to crack. This is where everything changes. Love, risk, and the first real choice between life and immortality.
2003: Cullens return to Forks, WA
After decades away, the Cullens slipped back into rainy Forks - older, stronger, united. Mist wrapped them like a cloak, hiding secrets but never purpose. Forks was ready as their sanctuary once again, a quiet stage for the coming storm.
2005: Bella meets Edward, danger begins
In a high school hallway, Bella's world shifted. Edward Cullen; mysterious, magnetic, otherworldly, crossed her path She was igniting a spark neither could deny. Curiosity quickly turned to peril as dangers beneath Forks' surface unraveled. For Bella, nothing would be the same.
Final Battles and Lasting Peace (2006 - 2007)
Bella and Edward marry. A child is born. Her name was Renesmee. The Volturi see her as a threat. Allies gather. The big showdown looms. But instead of blood, it ends with words, strategy, and a future secured. The saga closes on love, unity, and a new kind of forever. The vampires, werewolves, and humans; rewritten for peace.
2006: Edward returns and proposes
Edward came back like a strom; confident, determined, filled with fierce love. His proposal wasn't just a question; it was a promise of forever. The fragile line between worlds blurred, sealing their fate with a bond neither time nor darkness could break.
2007: Marriage, birth, vampire, peace
The year everything changed. Bella and Edward's wedding was a quiet rebellion against fate, a celebration of love transcending mortality. Soon after, the impossible happened; their child was born, new life from two worlds. Bella's transformation marked the dawn of a new era. Peace hard-won but fiercely protected. Their family stood united, ready for whatever came next.
How to Make the Twilight Timeline with EdrawMind?
The Twilight timeline is complex, but using EdrawMind isn't. It is a powerful diagramming tool that lets you create engaging timelines in various layouts. The best part? You can get started today, as the app has a free version.
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Ready to make the Twilight timeline in EdrawMind? Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Sign In & Get Started
- Download and start EdrawMind.
- Create a free Wondershare account to sign in or use your social credentials.
- At the homescreen, select New MindMap with the + symbol.
Step 2: Customize the Timeline
The default layout isn't suitable for a timeline. So,
- Select the Main Idea > Layout from the floating menu.
- Select the Timeline (S-shape) from the list.
- Select the timeline to customize it from the floating menu and the right toolbar. You can change a topic's shape, color, border, and branch settings. Also, you can insert new topics.
Step 3: Add Subtopics
Subtopics help add detail to the timeline.
- Select a Main Topic and click Subtopic from the top menu bar.
- Select that specific Main Topic and the newly added subtopics to customize them as in the previous step.
Step 4: Edit Text
- Double-click the Main Idea, Main Topic, or a subtopic to select its text content.
- Remove the placeholder text and enter new content.
- Customize the font style, size, and properties from the floating menu.
Step 5: Insert Images
- Copy an image or download it to your device.
- Place it on the EdrawMind canvas.
- Drag the image and drop it in a Main Topic, and remove the placeholder content.
- Use the floating menu or the right toolbar to change image settings.
Pro-tip: How to Change an Image Shape?
- Open the image you want to reshape in EdrawMax.
- Select Crop to shape from the floating menu.
- Position the image in the frame to crop out the unwanted area.
- Copy the cropped image and paste it into EdrawMind. Use it like in the previous step!
Step 6: Finalize & Save
Make sure the timeline is finalized.
- Click the File button at the top-left corner.
- Select Save to download the file on your device.
- Click Export to choose the desired file format like PNG, JPG, PDF, PPT, etc.
Conclusion
Well, that was a ride. From ancient vampire drama to Bella's chaotic love life, this timeline untangles the madness and makes it all make sense. Now you know who bit who, why they fought, and how it all ends with a baby named Renesmee.
If you've got a story to tell (or just want to organize one), EdrawMind is your new best friend. It's free, fun, and perfect for making timelines, mind maps, or even your own vampire family tree. Try it now and get creative.
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