By place Roman Republic • A new law,
Lex Hortensia, gives much greater power to the '''' (Plebeian Council) compared to the Senate. This law is passed following a threat from plebeian soldiers to secede. In the face of this threat, the Senate yields to plebeian concerns over their lack of political power and over their level of debt to the aristocracy. The law is named after
Quintus Hortensius, a plebeian, who is made dictator to settle the controversy. • With the
Lex Hortensia in place, in theory the political distinctions in Rome between the patricians and the plebeians disappear. However, in practice, the coalition of leading plebeian families keep control which means that the patricians are able to largely nullify the power of the assemblies. So Roman government continues to be oligarchic in character.
Greece • The
Macedonians resent the extravagance and arrogance of
Demetrius Poliorcetes and are not prepared to fight a difficult campaign for him. When
Pyrrhus of Epirus takes the Macedonian city of
Verroia, Demetrius' army promptly deserts and goes over to Pyrrhus' side as he is much admired by the Macedonians for his bravery. At this change of fortune,
Phila, the mother of
Antigonus, kills herself with poison. • Demetrius
besieges Athens without success. He leaves Antigonus in charge of the war in Greece, assembles all his ships and embarks with his troops to attack
Caria and
Lydia, provinces in
Asia Minor controlled by
Lysimachus. •
Agathocles is sent by his father Lysimachus against Demetrius. Agathocles defeats Demetrius and drives him out of his father's provinces. • Pyrrhus is proclaimed King of Macedonia. == Births ==