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{{Short description|One hundred years, from 400 BCE to 301 BCE}}
{{Redirect|300s BC|the decade|300s BC (decade)}}
{{Redirect|300s BC|the decade|300s BC (decade)}}
{{Centurybox|-4}}
{{Centurybox|-4}}
[[File:Alexander_the_Great_mosaic.jpg|thumb|Alexander the Great of Macedon created one of the largest empires of the ancient world.]]
⚫
The '''4th century BC''' started the first day of [[400 BC]] and ended the last day of [[301 BC]]. It is considered part of the [[Classical antiquity|Classical]] [[era]], [[Epoch (reference date)|epoch]], or [[historical period]].


⚫
The '''4th century BCE''' started the first day of [[400 BCE]] and ended the last day of [[301 BCE]]. It is considered part of the [[Classical antiquity|Classical]] [[era]], [[Epoch (reference date)|epoch]], or [[historical period]].
⚫
This century marked the height of [[Classical Greece|Classical Greek civilization]] in all of its aspects. By the year 400 BC Greek [[philosophy]], [[art]], [[literature]] and [[architecture]] had spread far and wide, with the numerous independent [[Greek colonisation|Greek colonies]] that had sprung up throughout the lands of the [[eastern Mediterranean]].


⚫
This century marked the height of [[Classical Greece|Classical Greek civilization]] in all of its aspects. By the year 400 BCE Greek [[philosophy]], [[art]], [[literature]] and [[architecture]] had spread far and wide, with the numerous independent [[Greek colonisation|Greek colonies]] that had sprung up throughout the lands of the [[eastern Mediterranean]].
⚫
Arguably the most important series of political events in this period were the conquests of [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]], bringing about the collapse of the once formidable [[Achaemenid Empire|Persian Empire]] and spreading Greek culture far into the east. Alexander dreamed of an east/west union, but when his short life ended in 323 BC, his vast empire was plunged into [[Wars of the Diadochi|civil war]] as his generals each carved out their own separate kingdoms. Thus began the [[Hellenistic civilization|Hellenistic age]], a period characterized by a more absolute approach to rule, with Greek kings taking on royal trappings and setting up hereditary successions. While a degree of democracy still existed in some of the remaining independent Greek cities, many scholars see this age as marking the end of classical Greece.


⚫
Arguably the most important series of political events in this period were the conquests of [[Alexander the Great|Alexander]], bringing about the collapse of the once formidable [[Achaemenid Empire|Persian Empire]] and spreading Greek culture far into the east. Alexander dreamt of an east/west union, but when his short life ended in 323 BCE, his vast empire was plunged into [[Wars of the Diadochi|civil war]] as his generals each carved out their own separate kingdoms. Thus began the [[Hellenistic civilization|Hellenistic age]], a period characterized by a more absolute approach to rule, with Greek kings taking on royal trappings and setting up hereditary successions. While a degree of democracy still existed in some of the remaining independent Greek cities, many scholars see this age as marking the end of classical Greece.
⚫
In [[India]], the [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan Empire]] was founded in 322 BC by [[Chandragupta Maurya]] who rapidly expanded his power westwards across central and western [[India]], taking advantage of the disruptions of [[Mahajanapadas|local powers]] in the wake of the withdrawal westward by the armies of Alexander.


⚫
In [[India]], the [[Maurya Empire]] was founded in 322 BCE by [[Chandragupta Maurya]] who rapidly expanded his power westwards across central and western [[India]], taking advantage of the disruptions of [[Mahajanapadas|local powers]] in the wake of the withdrawal westward by the armies of Alexander.
⚫
[[China]] in the 4th century BC entered an era of constant warfare known as the [[Warring States period]]. The period saw the rapid rise of large states (such as [[Chu (state)|Chu]]) over smaller ones thanks to technological advancement. Though the period has usually been characterized by historians as being excessively violent compared to the [[Spring and Autumn period]], it was also punctuated by several cultural and social growths through the expansion of several different sects of [[Confucianism]] and [[Taoism]], and the formulation of [[Legalism (Chinese philosophy)|Legalist]] thought.


⚫
[[China]] in the 4th century BCE entered an era of constant warfare known as the [[Warring States period]]. The period saw the rapid rise of large states (such as [[Chu (state)|Chu]]) over smaller ones thanks to technological advancement. Though the period has usually been characterized by historians as being excessively violent compared to the [[Spring and Autumn period]], it was also punctuated by several cultural and social growths through the expansion of several different sects of [[Confucianism]] and [[Taoism]], and the formulation of [[Legalism (Chinese philosophy)|Legalist]] thought.
⚫
==The world in the 4th century BC==


⚫
==The world in the 4th century BCE==
⚫
[[File:World in 400 BCE.png|thumb|550px|centre|Map of the world in 400 BC, the beginning of the fourth century BC.]]


[[File:East-Hem 323bc.jpg|thumb|550px|centre|Map of the world in 323 BC.]]
[[File:World in 400 BCE.png|thumb|550px|centre|Map of the world in 400 BCE, the beginning of the fourth century BCE.]]


[[File:World in 300 BCE.PNG|thumb|550px|centre|Map of the world in 300 BC, the end of the fourth century BC.]]
[[File:East-Hem 323bc.jpg|thumb|550px|centre|Map of the world in 323 BCE.]]

⚫
[[File:World in 300 BCE.PNG|thumb|550px|centre|Map of the world in 300 BCE, the end of the fourth century BCE.]]

==Events==
===[[390s BCE]]===
* [[399 BCE]]: The [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] [[philosopher]] [[Socrates]] is sentenced to death by [[Athens|Athenian]] authorities, condemned for [[impiety]] and the [[corruption]] of youth. He refuses to flee into exile and dies by drinking [[Conium|hemlock]].
* [[396 BCE]]: [[Marcus Furius Camillus]] is made [[dictator]] by the [[Roman Republic|Romans]]. Camillus finally destroys the [[Etruscan civilization|Etruscan]] city of [[Veii]] in southern [[Etruria]].
* [[395 BCE]]: [[Kalashoka]] succeeds his father [[Shishunaga]] to become king of [[Magadha]]. [[Second Buddhist council|Second Buddhist Council]] is held during his reign.
*
* [[395 BCE]]: The "[[Corinthian War]]" begins, with [[Athens]], [[Thebes, Greece|Thebes]], [[Corinth]] and [[Argos, Peloponnese|Argos]] (with the backing of [[Achaemenid Empire|Persia]]) against [[Sparta]].
* [[392 BCE]]: A peace conference between the Greek city-states is held in Sparta. Andocides, Athenian orator and politician, goes with three colleagues to negotiate peace with Sparta. The conference is unsuccessful and Athens rejects the terms and exiles the ambassadors.
* [[391 BCE]]: [[Dionysius I of Syracuse|Dionysius I]], [[tyrant]] of [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]], begins an attempt to extend his rule to the Greek cities of southern [[Italy]]. He unsuccessfully besieges [[Rhegium]].
* [[390 BCE]]: The [[Pharaoh]] of [[Egypt]], [[Hakor]] (Akoris), concludes a tripartite alliance with [[Evagoras I|Evagoras]], king of [[Cyprus]], and [[Athens]].

===[[380s BCE]]===
* [[389 BCE]]: Early in the [[Warring States period]], [[Chu (state)|Chu]] is one of the strongest states in China. The state rose to a new level of power when [[King Dao of Chu]] ({{lang|zh|楚悼王}}) names the famous reformer [[Wu Qi]] as his chancellor.
* [[389 BCE]]: [[Wu Qi]], the [[prime minister]] of the [[State of Chu]], enacts his first series of political, municipal, and martial reforms. Wu Qi gains the ire and distrust of Chu officials and aristocratic elite who are against his crusades to sweep up corruption in the state and limit their power.
* [[388 BCE]]: [[Plato]], having left [[Athens]] on [[Socrates]]' death to visit [[Megara]] and possibly [[Egypt]], travels to [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]] at the invitation of [[Dionysius I of Syracuse|Dionysius I's]] brother-in-law [[Dion (tyrant of Syracuse)|Dion]].
* [[387 BCE]]: Under the threat of Spartan intervention, [[Thebes, Greece|Thebes]] disbands its league, and [[Argos, Peloponnese|Argos]] and [[Corinth]] end their shared government. Corinth, deprived of its strong ally, is incorporated back into Sparta's [[Peloponnesian League]]. After eight years of fighting, the [[Corinthian War]] is at an end.
* [[387 BCE]]: [[Plato]] founds the [[Platonic Academy]] in [[Athens]], where he teaches [[Aristotle]] until [[347 BCE]].
* [[387 BCE]]: Romans are defeated by the [[Gauls]] under [[Brennus (4th century BC)|Brennus]] in the [[Battle of the Allia]] who then go on to occupy the city of [[Rome]]. After the Gauls leave again the Romans begin the rebuilding of their city.
* [[386 BCE]]: Freed from [[Sparta]]n attacks by the [[Peace of Antalcidas]] of the previous year, [[Achaemenid Empire|Persia]] turns to quieting [[Cyprus]] and [[Egypt]]. Owing to the skill of King [[Evagoras I|Evagoras]] of Cyprus and of Egypt's Greek [[mercenary]] general [[Chabrias]], these wars drag on for the rest of the decade.
* [[386 BCE]]: The [[History of China#Ancient China|Chinese]] city of [[Handan]] is founded by the [[Zhao (state)|State of Zhao]].
</onlyinclude>
* [[385 BCE]]: [[Plato]] forms his [[Academy]], teaching [[mathematics]], [[astronomy]] and other [[science]]s as well as [[philosophy]]. It is dedicated to the Attic hero [[Akademos|Academus]]. Philanthropists bear all costs; students pay no fees.
* [[384 BCE]]: [[Lysias]], the [[Athens|Athenian]] orator, on the occasion of the [[Olympiad]], [[rebuke]]s the Greeks for allowing themselves to be dominated by the [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracusan]] tyrant [[Dionysius I of Syracuse|Dionysius I]] and by the barbarian [[Achaemenid Empire|Persians]].
* [[384 BCE]]: The Greeks found the colony of Pharos at the site of today's [[Stari Grad, Croatia|Stari Grad]] on the island of [[Hvar]], defeating [[Zadar|Iadasinoi]] warriors brought in for its defense.
* [[383 BCE]]: The 19 year [[lunar cycle]] is introduced into the [[Babylonia]]n calendar.
* [[383 BCE]]: The [[second Buddhist council]] is convened by king [[Kalasoka]] and held at [[Vaisali]].
* [[381 BCE]]: [[Sparta]] increases its hold on central [[Greece]] by reestablishing the city of [[Plataea]], which Sparta formerly destroyed in [[427 BCE]].
* [[381 BCE]]: [[Wu Qi]] is assassinated at the funeral of King Diao of Chu, although his assassins are executed shortly after by the newly enthroned King Su of Chu.
* [[380 BCE]]: [[Iran|Persia]] forces the [[Athens|Athenians]] to withdraw their general [[Chabrias]] from [[Egypt]]. Chabrias has been successfully supporting the Egyptian Pharaohs in maintaining their independence from the [[Achaemenid Empire|Persian Empire]].
* [[380 BCE]]: [[Cleombrotus I]] succeeds his brother [[Agesipolis I]] as king of [[Sparta]].

===[[370s BCE]]===
* [[376 BCE]]: The states of [[Han (Warring States)|Han]], [[Wei (state)|Wei]] and [[Zhao (state)|Zhao]] deposed [[Duke Jing of Jin (Jujiu)|Duke Jing of Jin]] and divided the last remaining [[Jin (Chinese state)|Jin]] territory between themselves, which marked the final end of the Jin state.
===[[360s BCE]]===
* [[361 BCE]]: [[Duke Xiao of Qin|Duke Xiao]] became ruler of [[Qin (state)|Qin]].

===[[350s BCE]]===
* [[356 BCE]]: [[Shang Yang]] implemented his first set of reforms in [[Qin (state)|Qin]].

===[[340s BCE]]===
* [[344 BCE]]: [[King Hui of Wei|Duke Hui]] of [[Wei (state)|Wei]] is the first to claim the royal title of king (Chinese: 王) for himself, proclaiming themselves fully independent kingdoms.
* [[344 BCE]]: The rulers of [[Qi (state)|Qi]] and [[Wei (state)|Wei]] mutually recognized each other as "kings": [[King Wei of Qi]] and [[King Hui of Wei]], in effect declaring their independence from the [[Zhou dynasty|Zhou]] court.
* [[343 BCE]]: State of [[Qi (state)|Qi]] wins the [[Battle of Maling]] over [[Wei (state)|Wei]] that takes place in Maling, currently Dazhangjia Town, [[Shen County]], [[Henan]] Province, during the [[Warring States period]]. After the death of Pang Juan, Prince Shen was captured by Qi. The power of the state of Wei decreased considerably after this battle.

===[[330s BCE]]===
* [[338 BCE]]: [[Huiwen of Qin|King Huiwen]] becomes ruler of [[Qin (state)|Qin]].
* [[331 BCE]]: [[Alexander the Great]] Wins the Battle of Gaugamela, effectively ending Persian hegemony. He would spend much of the 330s conquering the remnants of the [[Achaemenid Empire]].
* [[331 BCE]]: [[Chu (state)|Chu]] rises to its peak in 334 BCE, when it conquers [[Yue (state)|Yue]] to its east on the Pacific coast.

===[[320s BCE]]===
* [[326 BCE]]: [[Battle of the Hydaspes]] is fought between [[Alexander the Great]] and King [[Porus]] on the banks of [[Jhelum River|Jhelum river]]. The battle resulted in [[Poris (North Indian kingdom)|Porus]] victory.
* [[323 BCE]]: In [[Babylon]], [[Alexander the Great]] [[Death of Alexander the Great|dies]], ten days after being taken ill after a prolonged banquet and drinking bout.
* [[323 BCE]]: The [[Partition of Babylon]] sets out the division of the territories conquered by Alexander the Great between his generals. The partition is a result of a compromise, essentially brokered by [[Eumenes]], following a conflict of opinion between the party of [[Meleager (general)|Meleager]], who wishes to give full power to [[Philip III of Macedon|Philip III]], and the party of [[Perdiccas]], who wishes to wait for the birth of the heir of Alexander and his wife, [[Roxana]] to give him the throne under the control of a regent.
* [[322 BCE]]: [[Chandragupta Maurya]] overthrows [[Dhana Nanda]] and becomes King of [[Magadha]]. Establishment of the [[Maurya Empire|Maurya dynasty]].

===[[310s BCE]]===
* [[316 BCE]]: [[Qin (state)|Qin]] conquers [[Shu (state)|Shu]] and [[Ba (state)|Ba]].
* [[314 BCE]]: Upon the ascension of [[King Nan of Zhou|King Nan]], [[Eastern Zhou (state)|East Zhou]] becomes an independent state. The king comes to reside in what becomes known as West Zhou.<ref name="Shi Ji, chapter 4">Shi Ji, chapter 4</ref>
* [[311 BCE]]: [[King Hui of Qin]] dies, follows by prime minister Zhang Yi one year later. The new monarch, [[King Wu of Qin|King Wu]], reigns only four years before dying without legitimate heirs.
===[[300s BC (decade)|300s BCE]]===
* [[309 BCE]]: [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]] personally commands a fleet that captures the coastal regions of [[Lycia]] and [[Caria]] from Antigonus.
* [[309 BCE]]: [[Cassander]], who has held [[Roxana]], widow of [[Alexander the Great]], in prison for a number of years, has her put to death along with her young son Alexander, the nominal King [[Alexander IV of Macedon]].
* [[309 BCE]]: Soon after the [[Qin (state)|State of Qin]] has conquered the [[Shu (state)|State of Shu]] (in modern-day [[Sichuan]] province), they employ the Shu engineer Bi Ling to create the Guanxian [[irrigation]] system, which will eventually provide for over five million people in an area of 40 to {{convert|50|sqmi|km2}}, still in use today.
* [[308 BCE]]: [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]] crosses from [[Asia Minor]] into [[Ancient Greece|Greece]], where he takes possession of [[Corinth]], [[Sicyon]] and [[Megara]].<ref name="Diodorus37">{{cite book|last=Siculus|first=Diodorus|title=Library|url=https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Diodorus_Siculus/20B*.html#37|volume=XX|chapter=37}}</ref>
* [[308 BCE]]: [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]] makes peace with [[Cassander]]<ref name="Diodorus37" />
* [[308 BCE]]: [[Cleopatra of Macedon]] is assassinated by the order of [[Antigonus I Monophthalmus|Antigonus]]<ref name="Diodorus37" />
* [[307 BCE]]: [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]] founds the [[Musaeum|Museum]] and [[Library of Alexandria]] with the help of Demetrius Phalereus. Like [[Alexander the Great]], Ptolemy has studied under [[Aristotle]] and staffs the museum with some 100 professors paid by the state.
* [[307 BCE]]: The city of [[Segesta]] in Sicily is destroyed by Agathocles.
* [[307 BCE]]: The Chinese [[King Wuling of Zhao]] reforms the military of the [[Zhao (state)|State of Zhao]] by putting more emphasis on [[cavalry]] over [[chariot]]eers.
* [[304 BCE]]: The tyrant [[Agathocles]] takes on the title of King of [[Sicily]]. He extends his influence into southern [[Italy]] and the [[Adriatic]].
* [[304 BCE]]: The [[Maurya]]n emperor [[Chandragupta Maurya|Chandragupta]] defeats [[Seleucus I Nicator|Seleucos I]] as he tries to invade [[India]]. [[Seleucid Empire]]'s Eastern [[Satrap|Satrapies]] ceded to [[Maurya Empire|Mauryan]] Empire.
*
* [[301 BCE]]: The southern part of Syria is occupied by [[Ptolemy I Soter|Ptolemy]].


==Significant people==<!-- PLEASE RESPECT ALPHABETICAL ORDER -->
==Significant people==<!-- PLEASE RESPECT ALPHABETICAL ORDER -->
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*[[Antipater]], Macedonian statesman
*[[Antipater]], Macedonian statesman
*[[Appius Claudius Caecus]], Roman statesman
*[[Appius Claudius Caecus]], Roman statesman
*[[Atropates]], Persian nobleman that founded a independent kingdom
*[[Atropates]], Persian nobleman that founded an independent kingdom
*[[Bessus]], [[Persia]]n [[satrap]] of [[Bactria]]
*[[Bessus]], [[Persia]]n [[satrap]] of [[Bactria]]
*[[Cassander]], King of Macedon
*[[Cassander]], King of Macedon
*[[Chandragupta Maurya]], Founder of the "[[Mauryan Dynasty]]"
*[[Chandragupta Maurya]], Founder of the [[Maurya Empire]]
*[[Craterus]], Macedonian diadoch
*[[Craterus]], Macedonian diadoch
*[[Darius III]], king of the [[Achaemenid Empire]]
*[[Darius III]], king of the [[Achaemenid Empire]]
Line 46: Line 123:
*[[Epaminondas]], [[Thebes, Greece|Theban]] statesman
*[[Epaminondas]], [[Thebes, Greece|Theban]] statesman
*[[King Wuling of Zhao]], ruler of [[Zhao (state)|Zhao]]
*[[King Wuling of Zhao]], ruler of [[Zhao (state)|Zhao]]
*[[Lysimachus]], Macedonian diadoh and king of [[Thrace]]
*[[Lysimachus]], Macedonian diadoch and king of [[Thrace]]
*[[Mahapadma Nanda]], founding emperor of the [[Nanda Empire|Nanda dynasty]]
*[[Mahapadma Nanda]], founding emperor of the [[Nanda Empire|Nanda dynasty]]
*[[Manius Curius Dentatus]], Roman statesman
*[[Manius Curius Dentatus]], Roman statesman
Line 54: Line 131:
*[[Philip II of Macedon|Philip II]], King of Macedon
*[[Philip II of Macedon|Philip II]], King of Macedon
*[[Ptolemy I Soter]], Macedonian diadoch and king of Egypt
*[[Ptolemy I Soter]], Macedonian diadoch and king of Egypt
*[[Porus]], King of the [[Pauravas]], in the Indian Subcontinent
*[[Porus the Elder|Porus]], King of the [[Pauravas]], in the Indian Subcontinent
*[[Seleucus I Nicator]], Macedonian diadoh and founder of the [[Seleucid Empire]]
*[[Seleucus I Nicator]], Macedonian diadoh and founder of the [[Seleucid Empire]]
*[[Shang Yang]], Chinese statesman
*[[Shang Yang]], Chinese statesman
Line 87: Line 164:
*[[Antisthenes]], Greek philosopher
*[[Antisthenes]], Greek philosopher
*[[Archytas]], Greek philosopher
*[[Archytas]], Greek philosopher
*[[Aristippus]], Greek philosopher
*[[Aristippus]], Greek philosopher
*[[Aristotle]], Greek philosopher
*[[Aristotle]], Greek philosopher
*[[Callisthenes]], Greek historian
*[[Callisthenes]], Greek historian
Line 112: Line 189:


==Inventions, discoveries, introductions==
==Inventions, discoveries, introductions==
{{see also|Timeline of historic inventions#4th century BC}}
[[Image:ChineseCrossbow.JPG|thumb|right|200px|A [[Han Dynasty]] Chinese [[crossbow]] from the 2nd century BC.]]
[[Image:ChineseCrossbow.JPG|thumb|right|200px|A [[Han dynasty]] Chinese [[crossbow]] from the 2nd century BCE.]]
* Oldest [[Brāhmī script]] dates from this period. Brāhmī is the ancestor of [[Brahmic scripts]], used in much of [[India]] and [[Southeast Asia]].
* Oldest [[Brahmi script]] dates from this period. Brāhmī is the ancestor of [[Brahmic scripts]], used in much of [[India]] and [[Southeast Asia]].
* [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] build their first [[aqueduct (Roman)|aqueduct]].
* [[Ancient Rome|Romans]] build their first [[aqueduct (Roman)|aqueduct]].
* [[History of China|Chinese]] use the handheld trigger [[crossbow]] for the first time.
* [[History of China|Chinese]] use the handheld trigger [[crossbow]] for the first time.
* The first crossbow, the [[gastraphetes]], is invented at [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]]. (pre-421 BC)
* The first crossbow, the [[gastraphetes]], is invented at [[Syracuse, Sicily|Syracuse]]. (pre-421 BCE)
* Burnt brick 'or fired bricks' were first used in Mediterranean civilizations.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stefanidou |first1=M |title=Analysis and characterization of Roman and Byzantine fired bricks from Greece |journal=Materials and Structures|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288186724 |date=July 2015 |volume=48 |issue=7 |pages=2251–2260 |access-date=24 February 2019|doi=10.1617/s11527-014-0306-7|s2cid=137600600 }}</ref>
* Donkey-powered mills or 'Pompeiian Mills' were first used in Greece and Italy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watts |first1=Sue |title=Pompeiian Mill (Animal Powered) |url=https://catalogue.millsarchive.org/animal-powered-mills-in-a-bakery-in-pompeii |website=Mills Archive Catalogue |publisher=The Mills Archive Trust |access-date=24 February 2019}}</ref>
* Donkey-powered mills or 'Pompeiian Mills' were first used in Greece and Italy.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watts |first1=Sue |title=Pompeiian Mill (Animal Powered) |url=https://catalogue.millsarchive.org/animal-powered-mills-in-a-bakery-in-pompeii |website=Mills Archive Catalogue |publisher=The Mills Archive Trust |access-date=24 February 2019}}</ref>
* In Greece, Aristotle proposes the division of the known sciences.
* In Greece, Aristotle proposes the division of the known sciences.
* [[Torc|Torque]] with lion's-head terminals, from [[Susa]] (modern [[Shush, Iran]]) was made. It is now in [[Musée du Louvre]], Paris.
* [[Torc|Torque]] with lion's-head terminals, from [[Susa]] (modern [[Shush, Iran]]) was made. It is now in [[Musée du Louvre]], Paris.
* [[Persian daric|Daric]], a [[coin]] first minted under [[Darius I]] of [[Persia]] is made. It is now kept in [[Charles Buller Heberden|Heberden]] Coin Room, [[Ashmolean Museum]], [[Oxford]].
* [[Persian daric|Daric]], a [[coin]] first minted under [[Darius I]] of [[Persia]] is made. It is now kept in [[Charles Buller Heberden|Heberden]] Coin Room, [[Ashmolean Museum]], [[Oxford]].
* Second half of the 4th century BC – Tomb II, so called Tomb of [[Philip II of Macedon]], [[Vergina]], [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonia]] is made.
* Second half of the 4th century BCE – Tomb II, so called Tomb of [[Philip II of Macedon]], [[Vergina]], [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonia]] is made.
* Starting in the year [[309 BC]], the later Chinese historian [[Sima Qian]] (145 BC–90 BC) wrote that the Qin-employed engineer Bi Ling of the newly conquered [[Shu (state)|State of Shu]] in [[Sichuan]] had the shoulder of a mountain cut through, making the 'Separated Hill' that abated the Mo River, and excavated two canals in the plain of [[Chengdu]]. The significance of this was phenomenal, as it allowed the new Guardian [[irrigation]] system to populate an area of some 40 by 50 miles (60 × 80&nbsp;km) with over five million people, still in use today (Needham, ''Science and Civilization in China'', Volume 4, Part 3, 288).
* Starting in the year [[309 BCE]], the later Chinese historian [[Sima Qian]] (145 BCE–90 BCE) wrote that the Qin-employed engineer Bi Ling of the newly conquered [[Shu (state)|State of Shu]] in [[Sichuan]] had the shoulder of a mountain cut through, making the [[Dujiangyan|'Separated Hill']] that abated the Mo River, and excavated two canals in the plain of [[Chengdu]]. The significance of this was phenomenal, as it allowed the new Guardian [[irrigation]] system to populate an area of some 40 by 50 miles (60 × 80&nbsp;km) with over five million people, still in use today (Needham, ''Science and Civilization in China'', Volume 4, Part 3, 288).
* The Chinese astronomer [[Gan De]] divides the [[celestial sphere]] into 365¼ degrees, and the tropical year into 365¼ days at a time when most astronomers used the [[Babylon]] division of the celestial sphere as 360 degrees (Deng, Yinke. [2005] (2005). ''Chinese Ancient Inventions''. {{ISBN|7-5085-0837-8}}).
* The Chinese astronomer [[Gan De]] divides the [[celestial sphere]] into 365¼ degrees, and the tropical year into 365¼ days at a time when most astronomers used the [[Babylon]] division of the celestial sphere as 360 degrees (Deng, Yinke. [2005] (2005). ''Chinese Ancient Inventions''. {{ISBN|7-5085-0837-8}}).
* First [[formal system]] by [[Pāṇini]] in [[Mahajanapada]], [[History of India|ancient India]] and written in [[Sanskrit]].
* First [[formal system]] by [[Pāṇini]] in [[Mahajanapada]], [[History of India|ancient India]] and written in [[Sanskrit]].

Latest revision as of 00:09, 11 October 2024

"300s BC" redirects here. For the decade, see 300s BC (decade).
Millennium
1st millennium BC
Centuries
Timelines
State leaders
Decades
Categories:
Births – Deaths
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Alexander the Great of Macedon created one of the largest empires of the ancient world.

The 4th century BCE started the first day of 400 BCE and ended the last day of 301 BCE. It is considered part of the Classical era, epoch, or historical period.

This century marked the height of Classical Greek civilization in all of its aspects. By the year 400 BCE Greek philosophy, art, literature and architecture had spread far and wide, with the numerous independent Greek colonies that had sprung up throughout the lands of the eastern Mediterranean.

Arguably the most important series of political events in this period were the conquests of Alexander, bringing about the collapse of the once formidable Persian Empire and spreading Greek culture far into the east. Alexander dreamt of an east/west union, but when his short life ended in 323 BCE, his vast empire was plunged into civil war as his generals each carved out their own separate kingdoms. Thus began the Hellenistic age, a period characterized by a more absolute approach to rule, with Greek kings taking on royal trappings and setting up hereditary successions. While a degree of democracy still existed in some of the remaining independent Greek cities, many scholars see this age as marking the end of classical Greece.

In India, the Maurya Empire was founded in 322 BCE by Chandragupta Maurya who rapidly expanded his power westwards across central and western India, taking advantage of the disruptions of local powers in the wake of the withdrawal westward by the armies of Alexander.

China in the 4th century BCE entered an era of constant warfare known as the Warring States period. The period saw the rapid rise of large states (such as Chu) over smaller ones thanks to technological advancement. Though the period has usually been characterized by historians as being excessively violent compared to the Spring and Autumn period, it was also punctuated by several cultural and social growths through the expansion of several different sects of Confucianism and Taoism, and the formulation of Legalist thought.

The world in the 4th century BCE

[edit]
Map of the world in 400 BCE, the beginning of the fourth century BCE.
Map of the world in 323 BCE.
Map of the world in 300 BCE, the end of the fourth century BCE.

Events

[edit]

390s BCE

[edit]

380s BCE

[edit]

370s BCE

[edit]

360s BCE

[edit]

350s BCE

[edit]

340s BCE

[edit]

330s BCE

[edit]

320s BCE

[edit]

310s BCE

[edit]

300s BCE

[edit]

Significant people

[edit]
Philip II
Demosthenes
Xenophon
Plato
Antisthenes
Aristotle
Diogenes
Epicurus

Politics

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Military leaders

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Visual arts

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Literature

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Science and philosophy

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Health professionals

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  • Agnodice, female Athenian physician and midwife

Inventions, discoveries, introductions

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See also: Timeline of historic inventions § 4th century BC
A Han dynasty Chinese crossbow from the 2nd century BCE.
  • Oldest Brahmi script dates from this period. Brāhmī is the ancestor of Brahmic scripts, used in much of India and Southeast Asia.
  • Romans build their first aqueduct.
  • Chinese use the handheld trigger crossbow for the first time.
  • The first crossbow, the gastraphetes, is invented at Syracuse. (pre-421 BCE)
  • Donkey-powered mills or 'Pompeiian Mills' were first used in Greece and Italy.[3]
  • In Greece, Aristotle proposes the division of the known sciences.
  • Torque with lion's-head terminals, from Susa (modern Shush, Iran) was made. It is now in Musée du Louvre, Paris.
  • Daric, a coin first minted under Darius I of Persia is made. It is now kept in Heberden Coin Room, Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.
  • Second half of the 4th century BCE – Tomb II, so called Tomb of Philip II of Macedon, Vergina, Macedonia is made.
  • Starting in the year 309 BCE, the later Chinese historian Sima Qian (145 BCE–90 BCE) wrote that the Qin-employed engineer Bi Ling of the newly conquered State of Shu in Sichuan had the shoulder of a mountain cut through, making the 'Separated Hill' that abated the Mo River, and excavated two canals in the plain of Chengdu. The significance of this was phenomenal, as it allowed the new Guardian irrigation system to populate an area of some 40 by 50 miles (60 × 80 km) with over five million people, still in use today (Needham, Science and Civilization in China, Volume 4, Part 3, 288).
  • The Chinese astronomer Gan De divides the celestial sphere into 365¼ degrees, and the tropical year into 365¼ days at a time when most astronomers used the Babylon division of the celestial sphere as 360 degrees (Deng, Yinke. [2005] (2005). Chinese Ancient Inventions. ISBN 7-5085-0837-8).
  • First formal system by Pāṇini in Mahajanapada, ancient India and written in Sanskrit.

Sovereign states

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See: List of political entities in the 4th century BC.

References

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  1. ^ Shi Ji, chapter 4
  2. ^ a b c Siculus, Diodorus. "37". Library. Vol. XX.
  3. ^ Watts, Sue. "Pompeiian Mill (Animal Powered)". Mills Archive Catalogue. The Mills Archive Trust. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
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