By place Persian Empire • The
Persian King
Xerxes I arrives at
Sardis and begins to build up his great army and navy for the invasion of
Greece.
Egypt contributes 481 ships.
Greece • The
Congress at the Isthmus of Corinth, under the presidency of
Sparta, brings together a number of the Greek city states, who agree to the end of the war between
Athens and
Aegina. They also discuss the threat from the
Persians. Athens is unwilling to place her forces under Sparta and its king
Leonidas.
Gelo,
tyrant of
Syracuse, wants high command, but Sparta and Athens refuse. However, during the Congress, Gelo has to withdraw due to
Carthage's plans to invade
Sicily. Finally, Themistocles agrees that Athens' navy serve under a Spartan admiral to achieve the unity of the Greek states. Nevertheless,
Thebes and
Thessaly are unwilling to support Athens against the Persians and
Crete decides to remain neutral.
China • The
Spring and Autumn period, which had begun in
722 BC, ends and compilation of the
Spring and Autumn Annals ceases. It gives way to the
Warring States period.
Rome • The
Aequi lay siege to
Ortona but are defeated by the Romans. Tensions between the Roman classes flare during the battle. • Continuation of
hostilities with
Veii. The Veientine army threatens to besiege Rome but nothing notable occurs. • The tribune
Spurius Licinius unsuccessfully advocates an
agrarian law. == Births ==