Geopolitics & Diplomacy in the 4th century BC

94 sourced entries, 399 BCE to 300 BCE, oldest first. Also see Geopolitics & Diplomacy across every century or everything else in the 4th century BC.

• 399 BCEThe Spartan admiral, Lysander, tries to effect a political revolution in Sparta by suggesting that the king should not automatically be given the leadership of the army. He also suggests that the position of king should be elective. However, he is unsuccessful in achieving these reforms, and earns the disfavour of King Agesilaus II of Sparta.source
• 393 BCEPharnabazus dispatches Conon with substantial funds and a large part of the fleet to Attica, where he joins in the rebuilding of the long walls from Athens to Piraeus, a project that had been initiated by Thrasybulus in the previous year. The construction is soon completed and Athens quickly takes advantage of its walls and its fleet to seize the islands of Scyros, Imbros, and Lemnos, on which it establishes cleruchies (citizen colonies).source
• 393 BCEHakor overthrows his predecessor, Psammuthes, as King of Egypt claiming to be the grandson of Nepherites I, founder of the 29th Dynasty.source
• 390 BCEThe Pharaoh of Egypt, Hakor (Akoris), concludes a tripartite alliance with Evagoras, king of Cyprus, and Athens.source
• 388 BCEConcerned about the revival of Athenian imperialist ambitions, the Persian King Artaxerxes II and King Agesilaus II of Sparta enter into an alliance. Sparta also seeks and gains the support of Dionysius I of Syracuse.source
• 387 BCEPlato is forced by Dionysius to leave Syracuse after having exercised the right of free speech too broadly. Plato returns to Athens, outside which he founds a school.source
• 387 BCEWith the aid of the Lucanians, Dionysius I of Syracuse devastates the territories of Thurii, Crotone, and Locri in mainland Italy. When Rhegium falls, Dionysius becomes the chief power in Greek Southern Italy. He then turns his attention to the Adriatic and founds the colonies of Ancona (Ankon) and Adria (Adrìa).source
• 386 BCEDionysius I of Syracuse extends the influence and trade of Syracuse to the Adriatic, establishing colonies at Adria, Ancona and Issa.source
• 386 BCEThe Chinese city of Handan is founded by the State of Zhao.source
• 385 BCEBardyllis becomes king of Illyria and the Dardani and establishes the Bardyllian Dynasty.source
• 379 BCEThe Thebans are able to reconstitute their old Boeotian confederacy in a new, democratic form. The cities of Boeotia unite as a federation with an executive body composed of seven generals, or Boeotarchs, elected from seven districts throughout Boeotia.source
• 378 BCEThe Theban general and statesman, Epaminondas, takes command of Thebes. Pelopidas is elected boeotarch, or chief magistrate, of the city.source
• 371 BCEAgesipolis II succeeds his father Cleombrotus I as king of Sparta.source
• 371 BCEA fresh peace congress is summoned at Sparta. At the peace conference, the Spartan King Agesilaus II (with the support of Athens) refuses to allow the Thebans to sign the treaty on behalf of all Boeotia. The Theban statesman Epaminondas, who is boeotarch (one of the five magistrates of the Boeotian federation), maintains Thebes' position, even when it leads to the exclusion of Thebes from the peace treaty.source
• 371 BCEWith the unexpected defeat of Sparta by the Thebans, the Arcadians decide to re-assert their independence. They rebuild Mantinea, form an Arcadian League and build a new federal city, Megalopolis.source
• 368 BCEPlato's Republic is completed. It lays down the rules for an ideal, righteous society and suggests that kings ought to be philosophers (or at least taught by philosophers).source
• 367 BCETheban leader Pelopidas goes on an embassy to the Persian king Artaxerxes II and induces him to propose a settlement of the Greek states' disputes according to the wishes of the Thebans. Artaxerxes II issues an edict consisting of peace terms for the Greeks, but his edict is not obeyed by any of the Greek states.source
• 367 BCEAristotle arrives in Athens and teaches at Plato's Academy.source
• 367 BCEDuring the ten-year period that Gaius Licinius (Calvus) Stolo is tribune in Rome (376 BC to 367 BC) he does much to reduce the enmity between patricians and plebs by reforming a number of laws. During his term, he proposes the Lex Licinia Sextia, which restores the consulship to the plebs, requires a plebeian consul seat, limits the amount of public land that one person can hold, and regulates debts. The patricians oppose these laws, though they are now finally passed and take effect from 366 BC.source
• 366 BCEThe use of military tribunes with consular power is abandoned permanently and the dual consulship is restored. A new magistracy is established, which is called the praetorship. Its holder, the praetor, is elected annually by the Assembly and takes charge of civil matters, thus relieving the consuls of this responsibility. The praetor is regarded as a junior colleague of the consuls. Nevertheless, the praetor can command an army, convene a Senate or an assembly, as well as exercise the consular functions.source
• 360 BCEPlato writes the dialogues Timaeus and Critias, first mentioning Atlantis.source
• 357 BCEGaius Marcius Rutilus elected Consulsource
• 356 BCEWith his reforms initiated in this year, the Chinese prime minister Shang Yang starts to transform the once marginal and frontier State of Qin to become the most dominant military force amongst the Warring States of China by the 3rd century BC.source
• 354 BCEAthens recognises the independence of Chios, Kos and Rhodes and makes peace with Mausolus of Caria.source
• 352 BCEConsuls: Publio Valerio Publicola & Gaius Marcius Rutilussource
• 348 BCEThe city of Eretria on the island of Euboea successfully rebels against the rule of Athens and Euboea is declared independent. The Athenian statesman and general, Phocion's tactical skills save an Athenian force sent to fight the supporters of Philip II on Euboea.source
• 347 BCEIn the wake of the Macedonian victory at Olynthus, Athens seeks to make peace with Macedonia. Because his financial policy is based on the assumption that Athens should not be involved in major wars, the Athenian leader, Eubulus, works for peace with Philip II of Macedon. Demosthenes is among those who support a compromise.source
• 347 BCEAn Athenian delegation, comprising Demosthenes, Aeschines and Philocrates, is officially sent to Pella to negotiate a peace treaty with Philip II. During the negotiations, Aeschines seeks to reconcile the Athenians to Macedonia's expansion into Greece. Demosthenes became unhappy with the result.source
• 346 BCEThe Peace of Philocrates is signed between Macedonia and Athens. The document agrees to a return to the status quo, but Philip II of Macedon keeps the right to punish the Phocians for starting the Sacred War.source
• 346 BCEDionysius II is restored to power in Syracuse.source
• 345 BCEThe Nanda Empire is founded in Magadha.source
• 344 BCEThe Athenian statesman, Demosthenes, travels to Peloponnesus, in order to detach as many cities as possible from Macedon's influence, but his efforts are generally unsuccessful. Most of the Peloponnesians see Philip II as the guarantor of their freedom, so they send a joint embassy to Athens to express their grievances against Demosthenes' activities. In response to these complaints, Demosthenes delivers the Second Philippic, which is a vehement attack against Philip II.source
• 341 BCEDemosthenes delivers his Third Philippic. In it, he demands resolute action against Philip II. Demosthenes now dominates Athenian politics and is able to considerably weaken the pro-Macedonian faction led by Aeschines. As a result, Demosthenes becomes controller of the Athenian navy.source
• 341 BCEA grand alliance is organised by Demosthenes against Philip II, which includes Byzantium and former enemies of Athens, such as Thebes. These developments worry Philip and increase his anger towards Demosthenes. The Athenian Assembly, however, lays aside Philip's grievances against Demosthenes' conduct and denounces the Peace of Philocrates which has been signed by both sides in 346 BC, an action equivalent to an official declaration of war by Athens against Macedonia.source
• 340 BCEPixodarus, the youngest of the three sons of King Hecatomnus of Caria, gains possession of the satrapy of Caria by expelling his sister Ada, the widow and successor of her brother Idrieus.source
• 340 BCEThe Romans succeed in detaching the Campanians from their alliance with the Latins (through their fear of the Samnites) and induce them to make a separate peace. Three Campanian cities, including Capua and Cumae, are granted Roman citizenship and thus become part of the Roman state. The Roman state now extends to the Bay of Naples.source
• 339 BCEXenocrates is elected as head of the Greek Academy replacing Speusippus.source
• 338 BCEPhilip II advances into Peloponnesus. He defeats Thessaly, subdues Sparta and summons a Pan-Hellenic Congress at Corinth. This results in the establishment of Macedonian hegemony over central Greece (including Athens).source
• 338 BCEAthenian statesman and orator, Lycurgus, is given control of the state's finances and goes about doubling the annual public revenues.source
• 338 BCEAthens arranges an alliance with Euboea, Megara, Achaea, Corinth, Acarnania and some other states in the Peloponnesus. However, the most desirable ally for Athens is Thebes. Therefore, the Athenian leader, Demosthenes, goes to the Boeotian city and secures an alliance with Thebes despite the efforts of a Macedonian deputation to persuade Thebes to join with Macedonia. In return, Athens agrees to Thebes controlling Boeotia, Thebes being in command solely on land and jointly at sea, and Athens paying two thirds of the campaign's cost.source
• 336 BCEConscription is introduced in Athens. Young men are required to perform duties which are part military and part civic.source
• 336 BCEFollowing Philip II of Macedon's marriage to Eurydice, Alexander and his mother, Olympias, flee to Epirus, with Alexander later moving to Illyria. However, shortly afterward, father and son are reconciled and Alexander returns; but his position as heir is tenuous.source
• 335 BCEMarcus Valerius Corvus is elected consul of the Roman Republic for the fourth time.source
• 334 BCEThe rulers of Wei and Qi agree to recognize each other as kings, formalizing the independence of the Warring States and the powerlessness of the Zhou dynasty.source
• 334 BCEAlexander of Epirus, at the request of the colony of Taras (Tarentum) crosses over into Italy, to aid them against the Lucanians and Bruttii. He wins victories over the Italian Samnite tribes.source
• 332 BCEAfter a victory over the Samnites and Lucanians near Paestum, Alexander of Epirus makes a treaty with the Romans.source
• 331 BCEThe Gallic tribe of the Senones and the Romans conclude a peace and enter upon a period of friendly relations which lasts the rest of the century.source
• 330 BCEAlexander appoints Atropates as the satrap of Media while Mithrenes is appointed by Alexander as satrap of Armenia.source
• 329 BCEIn Bactria, Bessus raises a national revolt in the eastern satrapies using the title of King Artaxerxes V of Persia.source
• 324 BCETo further his policy of integrating the Macedonians and Persians, Alexander and 80 of his officers take Persian wives. He and Hephaestion marry Darius III's daughters Barsine (also called Stateira) and Drypteis, respectively, and 10,000 of his soldiers with native wives are given generous dowries. His determination to incorporate Persians on equal terms into his army and into the administration of the provinces is bitterly resented by the Macedonians.source
• 323 BCETaxiles and Porus are to rule over their kingdoms in India;source
• 323 BCEThe 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, who wishes to give full power to Philip III (the illegitimate son of King Philip II of Macedon by Philinna of Larissa), and the party of Perdiccas, who wishes to wait for the birth of the heir of Alexander and his wife, Roxana (the future Alexander IV) to give him the throne under the control of a regent.source
• 323 BCEUnder the agreement, Philip III becomes king, but Perdiccas, as the regent, effectively becomes the ruler of Alexander's empire. Perdiccas manages the partition of the territories between the former generals and saintly with Alexander's chief lieutenant Craterus);source
• 323 BCEPerdiccas exercises a wide authority in Asia as "supreme general". Perdiccas largely leaves Alexander's arrangements intact:source
• 323 BCEFollowing Alexander the Great's death, the Athenians recall Demosthenes from exile and provide the money to pay his fine.source
• 323 BCESibyrtius governs Arachosia and Gedrosia;source
• 323 BCELysimachus becomes governor of Thrace.source
• 323 BCEAntigonus gaining the governorship of Pamphylia and Lycia;source
• 323 BCEStasanor rules in Aria and Drangiana;source
• 323 BCETlepolemus is left in charge of Carmania;source
• 321 BCEChandragupta Maurya, founder of the Mauryan empire, establishes himself as the king of Magadha.source
• 320 BCEJudea and Syria are annexed by Ptolemy and he gives Judea a large measure of self-government.source
• 318 BCEThe state of Qin moves into the Sichuan basin, giving them control of that great food-producing plain.source
• 317 BCEAcestorides, a native of Corinth, is made supreme commander by the citizens of Syracuse.source
• 317 BCEAfter capturing Athens from Macedonia's regent Polyperchon, Cassander entrusts the government of Athens to the Athenian orator, statesman, and philosopher, Demetrius Phalereus.source
• 317 BCEPolyperchon flees to Epirus, where he joins Alexander the Great's mother Olympias, Alexander's widow Roxana, and Alexander's infant son Alexander IV. He forms an alliance with Olympias, who is acting as regent for Alexander IV, and King Aeacides of Epirus.source
• 317 BCEArmenia's Persian satrap, Ardvates, frees his country from Macedonian control.source
• 316 BCEThebes, which has been destroyed by Alexander the Great, begins to be rebuilt by Cassander with the help of the citizens of Athens.source
• 316 BCEAgathocles, the new tyrant of Syracuse, extends his rule over the eastern part of the island.source
• 315 BCEPolyperchon is appointed general of the Peloponnesussource
• 315 BCECassander appoints Apollonides as Governor of Argossource
• 314 BCEAristodemus of Miletus convinces the common assembly of the Aetolians to support Antigonussource
• 313 BCEAt the autumn meeting of the Aetolian League, Aristodemus of Miletus, Antigonus' top diplomat, is able to persuade the Aetolians to support Antigonus.source
• 313 BCEThe consul Gaius Junius Bubulcus Brutus is credited with the capture of Nola, Atina, and Calatia by some sources.source
• 312 BCEAgathocles, tyrant of Syracuse, increased the size of his forces until they surpassed the Carthaginian garrison forces on the island.source
• 311 BCECassander opens up negotiations with Ptolemy.source
• 311 BCESeleucus reestablishes himself as satrap of Babylonia and asserts control over Media and Susiana (Elam).source
• 311 BCEIt is agreed by all parties that the young king Alexander IV of Macedon, son of Alexander the Great, will become king of the whole empire when he comes of age in six years' time.source
• 309 BCEThe Samnites again rise against Rome. Lucius Papirius Cursor is appointed dictator for the second time and wins a great victory at Longula over the Samnites.source
• 309 BCEAntigonus attempts to renew his alliance with the Macedonian general and former regent Polyperchon, who still controls part of the Peloponnesus. He sends Heracles, the illegitimate son of Alexander the Great, to Polyperchon to be treated as a pretender to the throne of Macedonia.source
• 308 BCESeleucus marches east and continues his conquest of the eastern provinces of the Macedonian Empire; the so-called Upper Satrapies.source
• 308 BCEThe Etruscans sue for peace with Rome, which is granted by the Romans on severe terms.source
• 307 BCEAntigonus makes peace with Seleucus, who is left free to consolidate his empire in the east.source
• 307 BCEUpon becoming ruler of Epirus, Pyrrhus allies himself with his brother-in-law, Demetrius and through him with Antigonus.source
• 307 BCEAntigonus gives Athens control of the island of Lemnos and Imbros.source
• 307 BCEDemetrius captures Megara and there he restores the old constitution as well.source
• 306 BCEA peace agreement is reached between Syracuse and Carthage. The peace restricts Carthaginian power in Sicily to the area west of the Halycus (Platani) River. This agreement allows the tyrant of Syracuse, Agathocles, to strengthen his rule over the Greek cities in the east of Sicily.source
• 305 BCESeleucus, former officer of Alexander the Great, considers himself emperor of Persia. He attempts to recover lands taken by Chandragupta that had been a part of Alexander's Empire. Seleucus establishes Seleucia on the Tigris River as his capital.source
• 305 BCEThe Romans defeat the Paeligni and take their land, some (those who look well disposed towards Rome) they grant citizenship.source
• 304 BCEAntigonus then concludes a peace treaty and an alliance with the island state, guaranteeing it autonomy and neutrality in his conflicts with Ptolemy.source
• 304 BCEThe tyrant Agathocles of Syracuse takes on the title of King of Sicily. He extends his influence into southern Italy and the Adriatic.source
• 303 BCESeleucus I Nicator expands his kingdom throughout Persia as far east as India, but his advance is eventually halted by Chandragupta Maurya, the founder of the Maurya dynasty of India. In a pact concluded by the two leaders, Seleucus agrees to territorial concessions in exchange for 500 war-trained elephants.source
• 302 BCEAntigonus' son Demetrius Poliorcetes attacks Cassander's forces in Thessaly. Cassander loses his possessions south of Thessaly to Demetrius. Antigonus and Demetrius crown their success by renewing the pan-Hellenic league. Ambassadors from all the Hellenic states (with the exception of Sparta, Messenia and Thessaly) meet at Corinth to elect Antigonus and Demetrius protectors of the new league.source
• 300 BCEPtolemy concludes an alliance with King Lysimachus of Thrace and gives him his daughter Arsinoe II in marriage.source