4th century BC

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

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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 BC

Map of the world in 400 BCE, the beginning of the fourth century BC. World in 400 BCE.png
Map of the world in 400 BCE, the beginning of the fourth century BC.
Map of the world in 323 BCE. East-Hem 323bc.jpg
Map of the world in 323 BCE.
Map of the world in 300 BCE, the end of the fourth century BC. World in 300 BCE.PNG
Map of the world in 300 BCE, the end of the fourth century BC.

Events

390s BCE

380s BCE

370s BC

360s BC

350s BC

340s BC

330s BC

320s BC

310s BC

300s BC

Significant people

Philip II Philip-ii-of-macedon.jpg
Philip II
Demosthenes Demosthenes orator Louvre.jpg
Demosthenes
Xenophon Xenophon.jpg
Xenophon
Plato Plato Pio-Clementino Inv305 n2.jpg
Plato
Antisthenes Antisthenes Pio-Clementino Inv288.jpg
Antisthenes
Aristotle Aristotle Altemps Inv8575.jpg
Aristotle
Diogenes Diogenes Mosaic Romisch-Germanisches Museum.jpg
Diogenes
Epicurus Epikouros BM 1843.jpg
Epicurus

Politics

Military leaders

Visual arts

Literature

Science and philosophy

Health professionals

Inventions, discoveries, introductions

A Han Dynasty Chinese crossbow from the 2nd century BC. ChineseCrossbow.JPG
A Han Dynasty Chinese crossbow from the 2nd century BC.

Sovereign states

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

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References

  1. ↑ Shi Ji, chapter 4
  2. 1 2 3 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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