The 5th century BC
696 sourced entries across 100 documented years, grouped into 10 decades. A century here runs 1900–1999 rather than 1901–2000, so its decades sit inside it exactly.
Decades
- The 490s BC — 10 years, 84 entries
- The 480s BC — 10 years, 90 entries
- The 470s BC — 10 years, 60 entries
- The 460s BC — 10 years, 64 entries
- The 450s BC — 10 years, 63 entries
- The 440s BC — 10 years, 55 entries
- The 430s BC — 10 years, 57 entries
- The 420s BC — 10 years, 68 entries
- The 410s BC — 10 years, 51 entries
- The 400s BC — 10 years, 104 entries
By subject
- Conflict & Security in the 5th century BC — 227 entries
- Culture & Society in the 5th century BC — 63 entries
- Geopolitics & Diplomacy in the 5th century BC — 50 entries
- Exploration & Expansion in the 5th century BC — 45 entries
- Crime & Justice in the 5th century BC — 43 entries
- Religion & Belief in the 5th century BC — 39 entries
- Technology & Infrastructure in the 5th century BC — 15 entries
- Climate & Environment in the 5th century BC — 12 entries
- Health & Medicine in the 5th century BC — 11 entries
A few of the years
- 499 BCEMiltiades the Younger, the ruler of the Thracian Chersonese, which has been under Persian suzerainty since approximately 514 BC, joins the Ionian revolt. He seizes the islands of Lemnos and Imbros from the Persians.
- 487 BCEThe Athenian Archonship becomes elective by lot from all the citizens, an important milestone in the move towards radical Athenian democracy. There are nine archons and a secretary. Three of the archons have special functions: the basileus, or sovereign; the polemarch (originally a military commander); and the archon eponymous (chief magistrate), who gave his name to the year.
- 475 BCEThe painter Polygnotus of Thasos begins his work (approximate date).
- 463 BCEThe Senate and People of Rome appoint Gaius Aemilius Mamercus interrex.
- 451 BCEFollowing the report of a three-man commission into the design of Roman law, the patricians set up in Rome a Board of Ten, the Decemviri. The first Decemviri, composed entirely of patricians is led by consuls Appius Claudius Crassus and Titus Genucius Augurinus. The first ten codes of the Roman Law of the Twelve Tables are completed by the first Decemvirate.
- 439 BCEAs a result of Persian assistance to Samos, it takes the Athenian army nine months to successfully complete its siege of Samos and force the Samians to surrender. Samos becomes a tributary of Athens.
- 427 BCEIn an effort to blockade Sparta from access to Sicilian corn, Athens responds to a plea for help from a delegation from the city of Leontini led by Gorgias, the sophist and rhetorician. Leontini is being threatened by Syracuse which is allied to Sparta. However, the Athenian mission led by the Athenian general Laches is unable to offer much help. Laches is later prosecuted by Cleon for his unsuccessful mission to support Athenian interests in Sicily.
- 415 BCEEuripides' play The Trojan Women is performed shortly after the massacre by Athenians of the male population of Melos.