3rd century BC

The 3rd century BC started the first day of 300 BC and ended the last day of 201 BC. It is considered part of the Classical era, epoch, or historical period.

In the Mediterranean the first few decades of this century were characterized by a balance of power between the Greek Hellenistic kingdoms in the east, and the great mercantile power of Carthage in the west. This balance was shattered when conflict arose between Carthage and the Roman Republic. In the following decades, the Carthaginian Republic was first humbled and then destroyed by the Romans in the first and second Punic wars. Following the Second Punic War, Rome became the most important power in the western Mediterranean.

In India, Ashoka the Great ruled the Maurya Empire. The Pandya, Chola and Chera dynasties of the classical age flourished in the ancient Tamil country. The Xiong Nu were at the height of their power in Mongolia. The Warring States period in China drew to a close, with Qin Shihuang conquering other nation-states and establishing the short-lived Qin dynasty, the first empire of China, which was followed in the same century by the long-lasting Han dynasty. The Protohistoric Period began in the Korean peninsula.

3rd century

The 3rd century was the period from 201 to 300 A.D.

In this century, the Roman Empire saw a crisis, marking the beginning of Late Antiquity. In Persia, the Parthian Empire was succeeded by the Sassanid Empire.

In India, the Kushan Empire was replaced by the Gupta Empire. China was in the Three Kingdoms period. The Xiongnu formed the Tiefu state under Liu Qubei. Korea was ruled by the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Japan entered the Kofun period.

At about this time in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Bantu expansion reached Southern Africa.

In Pre-Columbian America, the Adena culture of the Ohio River valley declined in favor of the Hopewell culture. The Maya civilization entered its Classic Era.

Roman Empire

After the death of Commodus in the previous century the Roman Empire was plunged into a civil war. When the dust settled, Septimius Severus emerged as emperor, establishing the Severan dynasty. Unlike previous emperors, he openly used the army to back his authority, and paid them well to do so. The regime he created is known as the Military Monarchy as a result. The system fell apart in the 230s, giving way to a fifty-year period known as the Military Anarchy or the Crisis of the Third Century, where no fewer than twenty emperors held the reins of power, most for only a few months. The majority of these men were assassinated, or killed in battle, and the empire almost collapsed under the weight of the political upheaval, as well as the growing Persian threat in the east. Under its new Sassanid rulers, Persia had grown into a rival superpower, and the Romans would have to make drastic reforms in order to better prepare their state for a confrontation. These reforms were finally realized late in the century under the reign of Diocletian, one of them being to divide the empire into an eastern and western half, and have a separate ruler for each.

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Latest News for: 3rd century bc

The Ancient Greek Sanctuaries and Temples of Olympia

Greek Reporter 13 Feb 2025
Due to the increasing significance of the games, additional athletic buildings were constructed, including the Palaestra, in the 3rd century BC; the Gymnasion, in the 2nd century BC; and bath houses, around 300 BC.

The Lady of Kalymnos: A Majestic Bronze Treasure From the Aegean

Greek Reporter 12 Feb 2025
Credit. Archaeological Museum of Kalymnos. The Lady of Kalymnos is an exquisite Greek sculpture dating back to the Hellenistic period, around the 3rd century BC ... Credit ... Larger than life-size, 1.95m high, 3rd Century BC ... ....

Man buried with Roman pugio found at ancient fortress

Heritage Daily 10 Feb 2025
The site dates from the 3rd millennium BC, with traces of human activity extending until the 5th century AD ... According to experts, the dagger and burial dates from the 2nd to 3rd century AD, a period ...

Exhibition highlights art of Đông Sơn culture

Vietnam News 10 Feb 2025
  ... Đông Sơn culture (dated from the seventh century BC to the first – second century AD) was part of the Metal Age in ancient Việt Nam ... It dates from the 4th to 3rd century BC ...   ...  . .

Kilkis Uncovered: Greece’s Most Affordable and Underrated Travel Spot

Greek Reporter 07 Feb 2025
... ancient tombs of the 2nd millennium BC ... The antiquities were found where ancient Vottiaia flourished in late classical/early Hellenistic times (late 4th/early 3rd century BC), according to Dr.

Dog sacrifices found near ancient royal palace

Heritage Daily 06 Feb 2025
An analysis of the excavated pottery and various items confirmed that the structure and dog sacrifices date from around the 3rd century BC ... During the 3rd century BC, the region was part of Saro-guk, a ...

The History of the Greek Language Throughout Time

Greek Reporter 02 Feb 2025
Koine is also the language of the Christian New Testament, of the Septuagint (the 3rd century BC Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible), and of most early Christian theological writing by the Church Fathers.

The major attractions around the world where tourists pay more than local residents - do ...

The Daily Mail 01 Feb 2025
Visit engage.metmuseum.org/admission ... Machu Picchu is a 15th-century Inca citadel and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World ... One of the world's most impressive archaeological sites, Petra is a Nabatean city that dates back to the 3rd century BC ... .

The ‘bettas’ on the big screen

Deccan Herald 29 Jan 2025
<p>During one of my treks to Ramadevara betta in Ramanagara, I was informed of the legend connecting this hill to Jatayu, the legendary vulture king ... They date back to the 3rd century BC ... I stopped walking ahead and maintained pin-drop silence.

The Strange Things Alexander the Great Brought to Europe from Asia

Greek Reporter 26 Jan 2025
Based on the journal article, “Alexander the Great brought itto the eastern Mediterranean countries in the 4th century BC, and the Phoenicians introduced it to Rome in the 3rd century BC.” ....
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