290s BC
During the 290s BC, Hellenistic civilization begins its emergence throughout the successor states of the former Argead Macedonian Empire of Alexander the Great, resulting in the diffusion of Greek culture throughout the Levant and advances in science, mathematics, philosophy, etc. Meanwhile, the Roman Republic is embroiled in war against the Samnites, the Mauryan Empire continues to thrive in Ancient India, and the Kingdom of Qin in Ancient China, the one which in the future will conquer its adversaries and unite China, begins to emerge as a significant power during the Warring States period.
Millennium: | 1st millennium BC |
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Events
299 BC
By place
Roman Republic
- The Samnites, seizing their chance when Rome is engaged on the Lombard plain, start the third Samnite War with a collection of mercenaries from Gaul, Sabine, and Etruscan allies to help them.
China
- The state of Qin attacks eight cities of the state of Chu. Chu then sends an envoy to ask the King of Huai to go to Qin to negotiate peace. Qu Yuan risks his life to go up to the court to persuade the King of Huai not to go to the negotiation.
- King Wuling of Zhao abdicates the throne of Zhao to his son.
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Significant people
- Nan, Zhou dynasty king of China, r. 314–256 BC
- Mencius, Chinese Confucian philosopher
- Perunar killi, King of the Chola Empire, r. 316-286 BC
- Huai, King of Chu, r. 328–299 BC
- Qingxiang, King of Chu, r. 299–263 BC
- Qu Yuan, poet, scholar, and minister from Chu
- Ptolemy I, Pharaoh of Egypt, r. 305–285 BC
- Euclid of Alexandria, mathematician and "Father of Geometry"
- Onias I High-Priest of Israel, held position 320–280 BC
- Neoptolemus II, King of Epirus, r. 302–297 BC
- Pyrrhus I, King of Epirus, r. 307–302, 297–272 BC
- Pharnavaz I, King of Caucasian Iberia r. 302-237
- Énna Aignech, Legendary High-King of Ireland, r. 313-293 BC
- Crimthann Coscrach, Legendary High-King of Ireland, r. 293-289 BC
- Kōan, Legendary Emperor of Japan, r. 392–291 BC
- Kōrei, Legendary Emperor of Japan, r. 291–215 BC
- Aktisanes, King of Kush, r. c. 300-290 BC
- Cassander, King of Macedon, r. 305–297 BC
- Philip IV, King of Macedon, r. 297 BC
- Alexander V and Antipater II, co-kings of Macedon r. 297–294 BC
- Demetrius I, King of Macedon, r. 294–288 BC
- Epicurus, Greek philosopher (founder of Epicureanism)
- Chandragupta Maurya, Mauryan dynasty Emperor of India, r. 322–298 BC
- Bindusara, Mauryan dynasty Emperor of India, r. 298–272 BC
- Chanakya, Mauryan Prime Minister
- Zhaoxiang, King of Qin, r. 307–251 BC
- Bai Qi, Qin general
- Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus, Roman Consul and general, in office 298 BC
- Publius Decius Mus, Roman Consul, in office 312, 308, 297, 295 BC
- Fabius Maximus Rullianus, Roman Consul, in office 322, 310, 308, 297, 295 BC
- Manius Curius Dentatus, Roman Consul, in office 290, 284, 275, 274 BC
- Gellius Egnatius, leader of the Samnites during the Third Samnite War
- Seleucus I, King of the Seleucid Empire, r. 305–281 BC
- Antiochus, Prince, commander of western territories, and future king of the Seleucid Empire
- Berossus of Babylon, astronomer and writer
- Megasthenes, traveller, geographer, and Seleucid ambassador to the Mauryan Empire
- Areus I (Agaid king) r. 309–265 and Archidamus IV (Eurypontid king) r. 305–275 BC, Co-kings of Sparta
- Agathocles, Tyrant of Syracuse, in office 317–289 BC
- Lysimachus, King of Thrace and Asia Minor, r. 306-281 BC (Thrace), 301-281 BC (Asia Minor)
- Cotys II, King of Odrysian Thrace, r. 300-280 BC
- Wuling, King of Zhao, r. 326–299 BC
- Huiwen, King of Zhao, r. 299–266 BC
Births
- 299 BC – Lyco of Troas, philosopher
- c. 295 BC – Arsinoe I of Egypt, Queen
- 291 BC – Lü Buwei, Statesman of the Kingdom of Qin
- 290 BC – Lucius Caecilius Metellus, Roman statesman
Deaths
- 299 BC – Titus Manlius Torquatus, Roman Consul.
- 297 BC
- Chandragupta Maurya, Emperor of the Maurya Empire in India, r. 322–298 BC (approximate date)[1]
- Cassander, King of Macedon, r. 305–297 BC.
- Philip IV, king of Macedon r. 297 BC
- 295 BC
- Thessalonica of Macedon, Macedonian Queen
- Publius Decius Mus, Roman consul
- Zhuangzi, Chinese philosopher
- King Wuling of Zhao, king of the Chinese State of Zhao
- Gellius Egnatius, leader of the Samnites during the Third Samnite War
- 294 BC
- Alexander V, king of Macedon, r. 297–294 BC.
- Marsyas of Pella, historian
- 291 BC
- 290 BC
- Autolycus of Pitane, astronomer, mathematician, and geographer
- Megasthenes, Greek traveller and geographer (approximate date)
- Onesicritus of Astypalaia, historical writer